RANGE REVIEW: SECURITY & SAFETY


STEADY GROWTH FOR HEALTH & SAFETY PRODUCTS


AMA Research looks at what is driving or hampering the health & safety products market, from ongoing innovation in PPE and growth in demand for special-purpose first aid kits, to increased competition in the fire safety market.


T


he UK health & safety products market in non-domestic applications


is


estimated to be worth over £800million in


2017. The market has shown positive growth since 2014 and current trends indicate that this will hold steady at a rate of around 4% in 2017.


The maturity of the health & safety


products market means that it is heavily reliant on ongoing levels of construction and manufacturing activity, public and private sector confidence, levels of spending and investment and employment growth.


Simplification of health & safety legislation has led to a substantial fall in the number of health & safety inspections carried out in Britain and also to a decline in the level of health and safety legislation. However, with the annual cost associated with work-related injury and new cases of illness – excluding long latency illnesses such as cancer – at around £14billion, health & safety in the workplace has risen higher on the agenda. There has been a progressive rise in the number of prosecutions and the value of fines levied – particularly since the introduction of new sentencing guidelines for health & safety offences, which came into force on February 1, 2016.


Innovation drives PPE market Personal protective equipment (PPE) dominates the health & safety products market, accounting for a value share of around 42% in 2016. PPE covers a very wide range of products including head, face, eye, hearing and respiratory products, as well as clothing and fall protection equipment, with safety footwear and clothing accounting for 24% and 18% respectively of the total PPE market. Innovation


and new product


development is focused on higher levels of comfort and improved wear-ability – both of which boost compliance, still a significant problem in the health & safety products market. Hygiene products account for an estimated 40% share of the overall market. The sector covers both skin care and washroom products, such as tissues, towels and wipes, with skin care products dominating. Hand washing and decontamination are strong areas which have seen significant product development in recent years. First aid products have a share


of around 10% of the market, with general-purpose first aid kits the dominant category. First aid kits have a relatively long replacement cycle, with intermittent usage and periodic refill rather than complete replacement, with users tending


to opt for lower-cost products that meet the minimum required standard. There is also a strong presence of unbranded products and together with the above factors, has constrained market growth in recent years. There has, however, been


growth in special-purpose


kits within the market due to the introduction of a British Standard in 2014 focusing on vehicle kits. The safety signs product sector driven


is predominantly construction activity. by


changing legislation and the level of


PVC/


rigid plastic safety signs, which are generally used in outdoor applications such as construction sites, still dominate this sector.


Strong competition remains Fire extinguishers represent the largest sector within the fire safety products market. Replacements and upgrades to existing systems, changes and/or upgrades to fire and safety legislation, and the launch of new products and product innovations, all play an important role


in boosting sales of fire


safety products. Strong competition is likely to


remain a factor in the market, partly due to a growing number of companies supplying health and safety products – particularly at the commodity end of the market and online. Awareness should continue to increase as a result of campaigns and initiatives by HSE focusing


12 DIY WEEK 29 SEPTEMBER 2017


More information is available in the report Health & Safety Products Market Report – 2017-2021 Analysis, which can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.


www.diyweek.net


on specific industries or activities, targeting poor standards, unsafe practices and lack of awareness, as part of a nationwide drive to reduce death, injury and ill-health. Changes to legislation and the imposition of stricter limits and


higher penalties for non-


compliance, are factors driving changes in demand, along with a shift in important end use sectors, including technological advances that may alter accessibility or safety requirements.


Steady growth In terms of construction activity, output is forecast to slow this year, while private housebuilding should continue its current relatively strong path. Overall growth for the health & safety products market is likely to remain steady in 2017 in value terms, at around 4%, however given the uncertainties in the wider economy and the potential for a slowing of both economic growth and the labour market, we expect the rate of growth to decline slightly 2018-2021.


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