SUPPLEMENT FEATURE SAFETY IN ENGINEERING Putting your best foot forward


Sangeeta Aeri, technical manager at Supertouch, a PPE specialist, advises on some basics that can help to extend the life of safety footwear


Storage in damp areas, such as W


hile there is no hard and fast rule about how long you should


continue to use safety shoes, the general consensus is that replacement should occur as and when it is needed. In reality however, this means checking footwear regularly for any tell-tale signs of deterioration, such as dents, wear patterns on the sole, rips or tears.


STORING UP TROUBLE How and where you store footwear can dramatically impact its effectiveness and lifespan. Exposure to sunlight can cause


materials to deteriorate, so try to store them away from direct sunlight so not to compromise safety performance.


underground cellars, is also hazardous and can cause the boots to develop mould. Under these conditions, the fibres in the shoes material can break down and this can cause damage to water resistant coatings. Remember to dry boots out thoroughly if they have become wet, and ideally remove the laces and dry them separately to prevent them from becoming mouldy or brittle. In order to maintain the safety integrity


of safety footwear, it is always advised to store them in a cool, dry area that is well-ventilated.


UNEVEN WEAR Every construction worker wears shoes and boots differently, which can result in uneven wear on the sole. Over time, this wear can become quite noticeable, affecting the sturdiness of the shoe, its


slip resistance, electrical resistance and the comfort of the wearer. Keep an eye out for any wear on the sole and replace them if at all concerned.


HEAVY OBJECTS Toecaps are designed to protect our feet and when something falls on the foot, there is a tendency to ignore the damage that may have been caused to the boot. Even if there are no signs of damage in the form of dents or scratches, safety may have been compromised. It pays to be cautious and to consider replacement as soon as possible. Whether an employer of a large


organisation or a sole trader, it is important to see safety as more than a tick-box exercise. There are many occasions where an individual looks the part on the surface, but their equipment is not fit for purpose. This may be due to poor maintenance, the quality of the product, or simply as a result of irregular checks. It really does pay to be one step ahead to ensure the upkeep of all PPE equipment.


Supertouch www.supertouch.com


PowerBreaker – Relaunched, Refreshed, Revitalised!


products on the market. An informative new brochure detailing the range of 10mA, 30mA, Active & Passive products entitled “A Guide to Electrical Safety” is available now, along with a new website solely dedicated to this impressive range detailing the best placed products for your installation.


G Available in all good wholesalers


GreenBrook u 01279 772 765 u www.powerbreaker.co.uk


6 MAY 2017 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | S


reenBrook has relaunched its market leading brand of Powerbreaker RCDs by increasing the range to offer the most comprehensive selection of RCD safety


New Timers and Clocks: timing made simple in hazardous and safe areas


cycles can be repeated continuously or a specified number of times. As a Clock the instruments display local time in various formats. Two sizes of panel mounting instrument with IP66 front of panel protection and a rugged 316 stainless steel instrument for applications in severe or marine environments. Field mounting instruments have IP66 impact resistant GRP enclosures suitable for harsh environments. Accessories include a backlight, pipe and panel mounting kits and a stainless steel legend plate that can be supplied with customer specified information. ATEX, IECEx and North American intrinsic safety gas and dust certification. For applications in Zone 2 or 22, Ex nA and Ex tc approval permits installation without the need for Zener barriers or galvanic isolators which significantly reduces the installation cost.


N BEKA u 01462 438301.  u www.beka.co.uk CONNECTINGINDUSTRY.COM/ELECTRICALENGINEERING


ew BEKA Timers and Clocks simplify process timing in hazardous and safe areas. Able to display elapsed time between events, or control external devices, timing


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