Health and Safety International | Issue 28
Breathe Easy
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) has been placed fi rmly at the bottom of the hierarchy of control and is often referred to as a control measure of last resort. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations have enshrined the hierarchy in legislation for over 20 years. This hierarchy indicates the relative desirability and effi cacy of various forms of control. (See fi gure 1).
Detecting Gases
Walking through a drill-site area, a worker smells rotten eggs and stops for a minute or two to assess where a gas leak might exist. Rubbing his itchy eyes as he investigates further, he notices that he no longer smells the tell-tale hydrogen sulphide odour. He does not realize that the gas has deadened his olfactory senses and unless he leaves the area within seconds, he could lose consciousness and possibly his life. A well-researched and planned gas-detection strategy can help reduce the likelihood of situations such as this.
Industrial Noise
Protecting irreversible damage to hearing The environment we live in is a massive issue and one that’s having a growing impact on all our lives, and everyone’s being encouraged to play their part.
Ranking PPE
Protective clothing used in the explosives industry Part 1 of this paper1 considered the ranking of body clothing employed as personal protective equipment (PPE) for explosives workers, when evaluated using a moving manikin. The apparatus, explosives sources used and calculation method were all the same in the present study, which examines the performance of a range of protective headwear.
Safety at Height
The challenges facing the height safety industry When entering the world of height safety some 18 years ago, I was astounded by the range and complexity of available products for ensuring the safety of people who choose to work at height.
Safety Footwear [April 2009]
Protection and comfort, beyond safety standards Feet have a tough job to do in working life, a fact that is overlooked all too often. Prolonged standing, walking, climbing, handling heavy machinery, falling objects, and slippery or sharp surfaces are just some of the many workplace hazards that feet may be exposed to on a daily basis. According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, slips and trips account for the highest number of work-related major injuries across all industry sectors, while TUC figures show that over two million sick days are lost every year owing to lower limb disorders.
