Privacy Policy
We collect no personally identifying data from you on this website. Whenever you request a page through your browser, information is stored in a log. This information includes:
- Your IP address (or that of your service provider)
- Your browser type and version number
- Your operating system name and version
- Date and time
- The address of the site from which you came (such as a search engine)
This information cannot be used to identify specific individuals unless you have logged in. It is used for website administration, anonymous user analysis and to help develop and improve the site.
Any Questions?
If you have questions regarding our privacy policies, or require assistance in opting out of receiving any unwanted e-mails, please Contact Us.
Articles In Our Current Issue
Eyewear Testing - The Process to Achieve Certification
Protective eyewear sold in the European Union must be CE marked in accordance with the PPE Directive 89/686. The process to achieve certification to this directive involves testing the eyewear mainly against the requirements of EN 166:2001 but other standards can apply depending on the application (see table 1). The PPE Directive applies also to sunglasses, even those sold for private or leisure use, and it can apply to prescription eyewear if that eyewear also includes protective features.
Author | David McKeown
Gloves - How accelerator-free are your accelerator-free gloves?
With the current media interest in Natural Rubber Latex Allergy (also known as Immediate Type Hypersensitivity, Protein Allergy or Type I), it was possibly only a question of time before the focus moved also to Allergic Contact Dermatitis (also known as Type IV, Delayed Hypersensitivity or Chemical Allergy).
Author | Nick Gardner
Guide to Flame-Retardant Clothing - What Exactly is Common Sense
The first question posed to the author by a peer who reviewed an early draft of this article was, “What exactly is common sense?” So let’s begin by explaining that. This article provides a summary of common knowledge about flameretardant clothing (FRC). You have heard “everybody knows...” Well, everybody may not know, which is why this article summarizes basic knowledge readily available in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. You’ll also find regulations that apply to the entire oil and gas industry (Class I, Division I areas), power generation and chemical manufacturing. Plus, two regulations are specifically written to address FRC design, testing and use.
Industrial Safety Footwear - A Step In The Right Direction
The provision and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been subject of much debate over the years both in the UK and beyond. Up until recent times, employers would simply state that you must have your own safety boots and overall before starting work. This is no longer the case with changes in recent years to legislation ensuring that PPE is provided by the employer free of charge to the worker. This is obviously the case in the UK and most of Europe however the same may not go for all workers in areas of the world not so well regulated. For the purpose of this article we will focus on UK legislation as a guide to what is an acceptable level of provision of PPE and in particular safety Footwear. Before we discuss the various types of safety footwear available on the market it is important that we review the legislation that drives the provision of, training for and the maintenance of PPE in the workplace today.
Author | Tony Potter CMIOSH, MIIRSM
Safeguarding against dangers to breathing is crucial
It only takes three lungfuls of toxic fumes to become unconscious. If you are working on your own, they could be the last three breaths you take.
Author | David Murray BA
Suspension Trauma - the effects and consequences of being upright and motionless
Outside the medical world, it is commonly thought that little is known about the effects and potential consequences of being upright and motionless (orthostasis), for example, as one would be if unconscious and suspended in a harness. However, over the past 3 years much has been discussed and even some courses have been available to educate the workforce on its effects and prevention techniques, usually coupled with rescue devices or rescue training.
Author | Toby Hayward Dip1OSH, TechSP, AIIRSM
Training - Legislation and cultural expectations for a safe workforce
Maintaining high standards in health and safety training has never been more important. The annual worldwide work-related death toll is a staggering 2.2 million people, according to a report prepared by the United Nations’ International Labour Office. The injury/illness figure - more than 450 million worldwide, or about 1 in 8 of the working population - just doesn’t bear thinking about.
Author | Pat McLoughlin
