ASSISTANCE IN SPECIFYING THE CORRECT FACE MASK
As a key supplier of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the NHS, public health bodies and critical businesses in the UK, Arco is making a significant effort to support the UK supply chain for critical equipment including face masks and respirators. As the UK continues to make progress in
the fight against the spread of COVID-19, the Government is considering a range of measures on the relaxation of the lockdown guidance, that would enable some businesses to re-open. This includes a recommendation for the use of face masks by healthy people in the workplace. As many companies are now specifying face masks for the first time, Arco has compiled expert advice and guidance for its customers on the correct selection of facemasks and respirators, particularly in regard to Type II and Type IIR facemasks. This is to ensure that the higher levels of protective equipment are issued to those that need them most. If full respiratory protection is not required
and the objective is to prevent the possible transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace, then the most appropriate PPE would be a face mask. A respirator would be more suitable alternative where full respiratory protection is needed to protect a worker from a hazardous substance – including COVID-19. It is important that respirators are not
specified where Type II face masks could be used and the recommendation is that a full workplace risk assessment is carried out to determine the hazardous substances in the environment. This should include the risk of exposure to infection. Medical face masks are classified into two
types, Type I and Type II with Type II further divided according to their splash resistance pressure, which determines the mask’s resistance level to contaminated fluid splashes. Type II face masks are suitable for most workplace situations, where masks are being issued with the objective of preventing the transmission of COVID-19 virus from one person to others. Type IIR splash resistant medical face masks are required in clinical settings to protect the wearer against contaminants contained in splashes of blood or bodily fluids. Neil Hewitt, quality director at Arco said:
“The current demand for all types of PPE, especially face masks, is unique and we are seeing a daily increase in enquiries for all types. We are managing our supply chain to ensure that protective equipment reaches those that need it most and are not diverted from health care and front-line responders. We are issuing some specific guidance on the use of face masks to enable customers to select the right product for their needs and to ensure the that the higher levels of protective equipment are issued only where necessary. We would add a warning about the influx of non-compliant products coming into the market that have not been tested and certified to meet the necessary standards and could potentially put people at risk. We recommend that customers work with companies like Arco, that can provide assurance on product quality and conformity.” Arco has compiled a step-by-step
illustrative guide for mask use, along with a list of FAQs for managers. Please visit:
https://www.arco.co.uk/coronavirusadvice
INDUSTRIAL ROBOT COMPANY UPDATES ITS STATUS
CKF Systems has been awarded with ABB Value Provider status. The ABB Value Provider Program has been set up to guarantee that the services the customer receives from the ABB Value Providers matches up with the quality of the ABB product range. Value Providers are fully trained, regularly audited and officially authorised to represent specified ABB products and services – in CKF’s case, Industrial Robots. The fact that CKF are an ABB Value Provider
means they have invested both time and resources to become knowledgeable on ABB products, tools and processes which will reassure their customers that they are in the good position to advise them on how the technology can be best utilised for their production requirements.
www.aquameter.co.uk ww
quameter.co
REGIONAL IMPACT OF CRISIS
A new economic report into the regional impact of the coronavirus lockdown has shown that UK manufacturing is the sector hardest hit, largely due to falling consumer demand. According to UK Powerhouse, a report by Irwin
Mitchell and the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr), UK manufacturing sector GVA* has fallen by 75% a day - a loss of £540m in absolute terms. *Gross Value Added. England accounts for 88% of all GVA losses, so
the figures here are similar to the wider UK economy, with manufacturing losing £470m a day. Protected by the relatively high proportion of the economy devoted to forestry, agriculture and fishing, Scottish manufacturing is losing £34m a day, as the impact of Covid-19 has been felt more in construction, with 95% lost to the lockdown. With 14% of Welsh GVA attributed to
manufacturing compared to 9% for the UK as a whole, Wales is losing £22m a day, thanks to its high concentration of manufacturing firms. Northern Ireland has lost the highest proportion
CKF’s customers can also be assured that as
an authorised ABB Value Provider, CKF have access to all of the latest ABB tools and resources which includes product updates, service notes and new products. The company also has practical knowledge when it comes to installing ABB robotic technology.
www.ckf.co.uk
of GVA due to the Covid-19 lockdown of all the UK nations at 38%. Manufacturing here is down £13m a day, or 75% lost. The report also breaks down the effect of the
crisis on UK regions including London and the West Midlands, visit the website to find out more.
www.irwinmitchell.com
PROCESS & CONTROL | MAY 2020
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