HEALTH & SAFETY - WORKWEAR
SAVINGS WITHOUT COMPROMISE
How Personal Protective Equipment cost savings can be achieved without compromising on protection
With procurement managers constantly tasked with decreasing spend and finding enhanced value for money, Andrew Egerton, Senior Group Health and Safety Category Manager at Buck & Hickman, looks at best practice surrounding the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in wind energy facilities. He also explains how it is still possible to achieve cost savings while maintaining correct protection for employees.
RESPONSIBILITY
In a typical manufacturing environment, workers will need a variety of PPE to guard against occupational hazards. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at work regulations 1999, it is the employer’s responsibility to not only provide PPE, but to ensure its workers are properly trained in its use – all of which adds up to a considerable but unavoidable expense, however these costs can be safely reduced.
CORRECT SPECIFICATION
The first stage in rationalising the use of PPE, with a view to identifying cost saving opportunities, is in the specification of the correct equipment. PPE is frequently
over-specified, with the maximum level of protection often selected regardless of the hazard. In reality, what is appropriate in one section of a wind energy facility may be excessive or even unnecessary in a lower-risk area. One of the most frequent reasons given for the non-use of PPE is that it’s not compatible with other protection that must be worn. Incompatible PPE is not only less likely to be worn, with individuals removing items in frustration, creating a safety risk, but may also be more susceptible to damage. For example, the hearing protection seal can be broken by wearing eyewear and therefore the ear protectors don’t provide the correct SNR as stated on the product.
CONSIDERATIONS
It is important to note that a higher cost does not always mean a greater level of protection. Q-Safe, a comprehensive range of PPE exclusive to Buck & Hickman, has achieved CE marking for all its products and is compliant with all relevant European health & safety and quality standards. The range comprises more than 80 different products, covering head, hand, eye, ear and respiratory protection as well as short-life clothing including coveralls, overshoes and aprons.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO
NOTE THAT A HIGHER COST DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN A GREATER LEVEL OF PROTECTION
TRAINING
Once the correct PPE has been supplied to employees, it is important to make sure they continue to work safely, and managers should train their staff on how to use the equipment and the repercussions of not doing so.
Buck & Hickman SCAN/CLICK
MORE INFO
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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