EMPLOYERS URGED TO INVEST IN SUITABLE SAFETY SOLUTIONS


Following recent news reports of accidents when working at height, WernerCo is urging people to ensure that appropriate safety measures are taken on site and the correct equipment is available for workers. The UK-based manufacturer of working at


height access equipment has issued a warning to employers, reminding them of their responsibility to provide suitable safety equipment, and of the ongoing duty to ensure that any equipment provided is up to standard and safe to use Paul Bruton, WernerCo, commented: “It is


disappointing to see that despite the frequent news stories about accidents that have occurred when working at height, employers are still failing to properly safeguard their workers. There


are many safety solutions available on the market that meet the needs of different types of job – whether it be a fall protection system or access tower – so there should be no excuse for employees to be ill-equipped. “When investing in any fall protection system,


employers should ensure that any product supplied to workers meets the correct certification. Fall protection systems should be purchased from a reputable manufacturer and CE marked to guarantee safety, while full body harnesses should be certified to EN 361:2002. “However, an employer’s duty does not end


after purchase, and they must ensure that their workforce always uses the provided solutions when necessary and that regular inspections to check the


integrity of the equipment is carried out. Those who are responsible for fall protection systems should refer to EN 365:2004, which sets out guidelines for the inspection of personal protective equipment against falls from height. This includes pre-use checks, detailed inspections and interim inspections as appropriate. All of these checks should be carried out by competent persons, to identify defects or damage that may affect safety.” www.wernerco.com/eu


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W WORKWEAR MANUFACTURER CELEBRATES 80TH ANNIVERSARY


elcome to the


Autumn issue of Industrial Compliance. The number of fatalities that have


occurred within British industries has halved over the past 20 years. But more can still be done. Find out how a proactive safety culture, particularly in industries that employ a high number of lone workers, can further reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on page 12. Personal protective equipment


(PPE) is one way that can protect workers from hazards. In order to ensure that wearers are able to operate efficiently, it is important to consider the breathability and comfort of PPE. In this issue, we consider testing that makes sure protective equipment does not overburden the wearer. Find out more on page 18.


Victoria White - Editor


Wearwell, the Tamworth-based workwear manufacturer, celebrated its 80th birthday at the beginning of August. Starting life as Wearwell Overalls in a small shed with just two sewing machines in 1939, today Wearwell manufactures close to 25,000 garments a week using Europe’s finest fabrics specifically chosen for their durability, high performance and protective capabilities. The firm is a true British manufacturing success


story, named the UK’s Best Manufacturer at the Professional Clothing Awards for the last two years. After moving from Birmingham to its present home in Tamworth in 1960, Wearwell has gone from strength to strength. It established offshore manufacturing bases in 1998 to complement its UK facility with a near-shore fast response model that today means Wearwell is able to meet demanding schedules, price products competitively and ensure a first-class customer experience. A brand new 10,000sq-ft high bay warehouse was built in 2007 and is now home to a 70-strong team of people. CEO Richard Wright commented: “Wearwell is one


of the oldest UK manufacturers of workplace protective and safety clothing. We are very proud of our 80-year heritage and our reputation founded on the quality and speed of production thanks to our near shore and award-winning UK manufacturing facilities. “As experts in fabric technology, garment design


and the manufacture of workwear, technical know- how has been central to Wearwell’s success. In fact, we consider our team of highly experienced and extremely skilled designers and machinists, whose combined experience exceeds 800 years of workwear manufacturing know how, to be our greatest asset as we celebrate our anniversary.” www.wearwell.co.uk


SATRA recently formally recognised its centenary with a visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester and the unveiling of a specially commissioned external sculpture designed to represent 100 years of research and testing. After being welcomed by SATRA’s chairman, Stephen Etheridge, His


HRH THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER UNVEILS CENTENARY SCULPTURE AT SATRA At the unveiling, SATRA’s


Royal Highness marked the occasion with a speech to staff and one hundred guests before meeting and discussing the work with the artist, Martyn Steele. The Royal party along with local dignitaries and guests were hosted on a tour of SATRA’s testing laboratories including demonstrations of the SATRA machines and test methods that play a role in helping manufacturers to make their products safer, better performing and more sustainable. The tour was followed by a lunch at nearby Boughton House where Etheridge thanked His Royal Highness and proposed a toast to all the scientists, engineers, technologists and support staff that make SATRA the respected name it is.


4 AUTUMN 2019 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE


chief executive, Austin Simmons, said: “Today marks a truly momentous occasion. SATRA was created 100 years ago by forward thinking visionaries who realised that the footwear industry needed a strong technical resource to enable it to develop new materials and manufacturing techniques. We have always been immensely proud of the intellectual prowess of our people, without whom SATRA would not have been able to make thecontribution it has to industry over the last 100 years.” www.satra.com


/ INDUSTRIALCOMPLIANCE


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