Prevention & protection01 April 2006

There are only two ways in which workers can be protected from environmental, chemical and biological hazards. One is by giving them protective clothing - gloves, boots and, where appropriate, ear and eye protection. The other is by providing portable warning equipment, which, in some cases, has to be carried and in others is sufficiently miniaturised that it can be worn on the person.

On the clothing front, Dupont Personal Protection has launched two new heavy-duty suits for reliable protection against numerous chemicals and biological agents: Tychem C2 and Tychem F2. The materials contain no halogenated components and facilitate the removal of any contaminants. The suits have been tested against more than 100 chemicals. Tychem C2 provides an effective barrier against many concentrated inorganic chemicals and Tychem F2 against many concentrated inorganic and organic chemicals. The suit materials have been subjected to ant-static treatment on the inside, to avoid the build-up of electrostatic charges where humidity exceeds 25%. With two zip fasteners, the garments can be quickly donned and removed, and a double Velcro flap provides optimum tightness. A new, partially elasticised hood is designed to fit perfectly round a respirator. Broader elasticised edges at the cuffs, at the ankles and around the waist, as well as double sleeves, ensure a tight seal at strategic points and provide a reinforced fit. It is not necessary to cover openings with adhesive tape.

Injury risks
For poultry workers in danger of coming into contact with the Avian Influenza virus, Dupont recommends its 'Tyvek Classic Plus' suits.

For use in its glass manufacturing and processing facilities, Pilkington, on the other hand, has introduced a new range of protective workwear made of DuPont Kevlar. David Donkin and David Ash, UK health and safety managers at Pilkington explain: "When workers are exposed to the high temperatures of the melting furnace, there is potential for burn injury and when handling glass products, there is a high risk of cuts and abrasion. Around 60% of injuries occur below the elbow, although injuries also occur in other areas of the body."

Pilkington constantly strives to improve the safety of its personnel through the development of training and the introduction of new innovations in protective equipment. High-performance protective gloves and sleeves made of DuPont Kevlar superseded the use of leather or chain mail gloves for glass handlers around 10 years ago. Kevlar gloves provide superior cut and heat resistance, in addition to lightweight and increased flexibility for improved manual dexterity. To further reduce the rate of injuries, Pilkington is looking to develop a new range of full-body protection, incorporating Kevlar fibre. Through inter-company co-operation between DuPont Personal Protection, the health and safety personnel at Pilkington and Dale Techniche, an innovative fabric producer, new Chieftain sweatshirts and jackets have been developed. The garments combine comfort, light weight and the highest level (Level 5) of cut resistance for increased body protection. Chieftain sweatshirts and jackets are now on extended trials at many Pilkington sites in the UK, and are distributed through J&K Ross.

Much greater than the number of workers injured in glass factories and warehouses, however,are the 9,000 workers per year who suffer serious injuries as a result of slips or trips. According to a TUC survey of 800 safety representatives, slips and trips are a major problem in 84% of workplaces. Of those businesses surveyed, there were 15,000 reported slip and trip incidents, more than 400 of which resulted in broken bones or other major injuries. Substances on the floor and obstructions accounted for 74% of these accidents. Slips and trips are estimated to cost British industry an estimated £512m every year, with a wider cost to society generally of £763m.

Taking a firm grip
The French company Jallatte has brought out some new safety footwear, the Jalteck SAS, with grip provided by a Neotrile polymer sole resistant to hydrocarbons, abrasion and direct contact with heat up to 300 ºC. It has a progressive shock absorber in the heel, cushioning the impact for the wearer between foot and ground, a steel midsole and toe cap (200J), thermopolyurethane defenders on the toe and heel, and a padded collar.

Some hazards can presently only be detected using equipment that can best be described as luggable, rather than easily portable, and most biohazards can only be detected using laboratory equipment. However, if there is anything good that can be said to have come out of the present so-called, 'war on terror', it is the amount of money and market opportunities that are driving the rapid development of miniaturised equipment to detect and monitor risks both chemical and biological.

Already on the market are products like the Tetra and Gasman intrinsically safe personal gas monitors from Crowcon Detection Instruments, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The main difference between the ranges is that the Tetra responds to up to four different gases and the latest model weighs 269g, while the Gasman does just one gas and weighs only 80g to 130g, depending on the gas being sensed.

The base technology is to use solid-state electrolytic cells to detect toxic gases and pellistors to detect flammable gases. A pellistor is a heated platinum coil covered in a catalyst, to initiate combustion below flammable limits. The non-flammable combustion that occurs heats up the coil, which increases its resistance. Crowcon's David Riddle states that the alarm is normally set to go off at about 20% LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) on the principle that if gas levels are 20% LEL at one point in a building or a mine, they could well be at 100% elsewhere. The Tetra 3 was announced in our January-February edition. Industrial design for the Tetra 3, and its predecessor the Tetra 2 was by H2 Product Development in Birmingham. According to H2's Jan Holland, the Tetra 2 units were so robust they have survived being dropped 65ft, being left in a Texas deluge and being buried underground beneath 2t of rubble. The cases are made with a rubber overmoulding and the Tetra 2 incorporates a patented belt clip that makes it extremely unlikely to fall off accidentally under normal circumstances. Water and dust resistance are to IP65 and IP67 and the Tetra 3 weighs only 269g, half the weight of the Tetra 2. The Tetra 3 is certified to ATEX II 2G Eex iad IICT4 (-20 ºC to +55 ºC). The Gasman now has ATEX approval at temperatures from -20 deg C to +65 ºC and has recently been chosen by Corus for use in all its South Wales manufacturing plants.

Gripping tales: more than 400 slip and trip incidents resulted in broken bones or other major injuries

Many types of protective clothing may be seen at the Clothing@Work show, GMEX, Manchester, 4-5 April 2006

SOE

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.