FEATURE


“The Registered Safety Supplier


Scheme ensures that PPE is independently audited by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF).”


THE PPE CRISIS


During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for PPE has risen sharply. As Sangeeta Aeri, Technical Manager at Supertouch explains, this has presented a number of challenges for those involved in the manufacturing and supply of safety critical equipment.


Prior to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the phrase PPE was a term unfamiliar to many outside of a select few industries. The sudden surge in demand caused


by the crisis meant those tasked with delivering safety equipment to the frontline were under significant pressure to address a number of challenges.


SOURCING COMPLIANT PPE One of the most concerning outcomes of the massive


increase in demand has been the prevalence of non- compliant, uncertified, and potentially ineffective PPE. It goes without saying that this is extremely dangerous, as wearers risk being lulled into a false sense of security, even as they expose themselves to the virus.


There have been multiple high-profile examples of this, notably the seizure of 700,000 low-quality face masks at East Midlands Airport by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Such an alarming figure is emblematic of the scale of the issue, and now more than ever there is a need for PPE to be appropriately appropriately sourced, to ensure it is compliant and will perform as it needs to.


The Registered Safety Supplier Scheme, of which Supertouch is a member, ensures that PPE is independently audited by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF). As demand has outstripped supply in some quarters, this has given rise to unscrupulous individuals who are gambling with people’s lives. For this reason, it is crucial that those tasked with procuring PPE source it from trusted and registered channels, with the level of experience required to offer sound advice.


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TYPE OF PPE Alongside a general increase in demand for PPE, there


has been pressure to supply new types of protective equipment. The specific nature of how coronavirus is transmitted has meant that equipment such as visors and goggles have moved from being niche items, to integral lines of defence. To address this, some manufacturers and suppliers, including Supertouch, have introduced new items to their product line.


ENSURING SUPPLY With global demand for PPE soaring, many suppliers


and manufacturers were faced with the issue of consignments that were destined for the UK being diverted away, towards whoever the highest bidder may be. Not only did this inflate prices, but it also exacerbated shortages at a time when equipment was needed most.


To navigate this issue, Supertouch leveraged long- standing supplier relationships, ensuring it could continue to supply key items with as little disruption as possible. Lead times were minimised by airfreighting goods, and following a series of prioritised front- line orders, were dispatched to safety distributors immediately upon arrival. Liaison with the BSIF also assisted in ensuring items were certified to the appropriate standard.


It is this flexibility that has defined the most effective responses of suppliers and manufacturers to PPE shortages, as they work to create technical and customer specifications in rapid time. By engaging with trusted suppliers with a track record of delivering high-performance PPE, those tasked with delivering equipment to the frontline can be assured of its efficacy.


www.supertouch.com www.tomorrowshs.com


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