Got a story? Ring us on 01732 748041 or e-mail twood@unity-media.com TRANSPORT,TOOLS,EQUIPMENT&WORKWEAR Personal protective equipment a must Providing heating and plumbing installers with personal protection and workwear is just as important as giving them the correct equipment to safely and efficiently carry out daily tasks. Maurice Morton, sales and marketing director at Dickies, looks at the importance of wearing the right gear to go with the job… Saving money and cutting costs is an inevitable part of survival for installers in what is still a tough economic climate, but there are some things that it’s simply not worth scrimping on, and this includes the quality of your hand tools. We all know the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’, and in the case of hand tools this has never been closer to the truth. Heating and plumbing installers face a variety of risks and hazards on a daily basis. Slips, trips and falls, exposure to dust, noise and vibration, as well as the dangers associated with machinery and equipment. To minimise the risks, current legislation stipulates that business owners have an obligation to provide employees with a safe work environment, including taking sufficient steps to prevent the risk of injury. This encompasses the provision of top-to-toe personal protection, with requirements ranging from bump caps, eyewear and masks to gloves. Safety wear has quickly become a fundamental part of life, particularly for those professions where the working environment is fraught with potential hazards. THE RIGHT PROTECTION Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is defined in the Regulations as ‘all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects them against one or more risks to his health or safety’. PPE products should offer you maximum protection, while also maintaining comfort and range of vision at all times. PPE development is dictated to by EU legislation and all PPE products must be compliant using notified bodies in the UK. As an installer you will need eye protection such as goggles and safety glasses to protect eyes when drilling. These should be comfortable to wear, must not restrict vision or movement, durable and easy to clean and must not interfere with the function of other required PPE. Ear protection, such as defenders, earplugs against drilling or WWW.HPMMAG.COM channelling noises and the proper fit is essential; head protection that complies with EN standards, such as hard hats for working under scaffolding; hand protection, such as gloves for protection and grip when carrying heavy or awkward shaped articles such as boilers, pipes, ducting etc. NOT JUST FASHION GARMENTS The big difference between fashion and workwear garments becomes apparent during the course of a working day. Tolerances to allow bending over, kneeling and stretching are of huge consideration as tailored or fashion garments are great for casual wear but rarely suitable for a workers extended daily use. Heating and plumbing installers tend to work in more restricted places than other tradesmen. This means that workwear products have to be extra comfortable while protecting the wearer’s knees, elbows, head, eyes and be extremely flexible to allow for crouching when working under sink areas, for example. Allowing freedom of movement when working in restricted places is essential. Layers of clothing can be put on or taken off according to temperature, helping to maintain an employee’s well-being and health. There are a number of 54 FEBRUARY 2014 HEATING & PLUMBING MONTHLY different types of base layers now available, t-shirts made from cotton are good in the summer, but modern man-made fibres also keep perspiration away and dry quicker than natural cotton materials. Thermal base-layers are now lightweight, warm, flexible and almost second skin like making them very comfortable to wear. Trousers are an important tool for the job as these days they are multifunctional, with lots of additional features, such as multi-swing tool pockets, karabiners and knee pad pockets, while the addition of cordura to holster pocket lining, knee and bottom leg hem guards of trousers allow for garment longevity. A choice of sizes ensures a good fit, as there is nothing worse than tight or even loose waistbands, too longer leg or tightness in the seat or crotch area when working in confined spaces, up ladders or even in lofts. Knee and ankle joints, in particular, are two problem areas for heating and plumbing installers. Kneepads conforming to EN14404 add extra comfort for the installer who may be working in restricted areas, such as under sinks or in cupboards and lofts requiring lots of work on their knees. Footwear needs to have safety caps midsole if worn on new sites for underfoot protection. Also rapid lacing up systems, slip on styles. The comfort of footwear, shoes and trainers is better for crouching and climbing type work, but 6” boots with ankle protection are more adequate for working on new sites where the terrain is rough and uneven but installers may still be on site. HEAD TO TOE Socks can be play an active part, cotton rich, cushioned soles for comfort, ankle or higher length, dependent on the boots or shoes worn. Thermal socks are best for the winter and must not to be confused with sports or dress socks normally worn at weekends High Visibility (HV) waistcoats, jackets, waterproofs - lined and unlined - and dependent upon the season if hot or cold, must be used onsite. For some jobs as an installer, a HV waistcoat, for example, may be all that is needed, but those workers who are particularly at risk, may need full body HV clothing so that they are as visible as possible if working in the dark. HV clothing should provide adequate protection both during the day and at night, as well as in adverse weather. As a rule: the darker the conditions or worksite, the greater the amount of HV clothing required. enquiry number 140 Redhawk men's action trousers Dickies knee pads
HPM February 2014
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