Neals Notes June 2000
If you did not manage to get to the recent Safety & Health at Work 2000 show in Birmingham's NEC then have a look at some highlights discovered by Neal of Professional H & S Consultants during his visit. And if you did miss it don't forget the new Health and Safety Show to be held at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre on 11th and 12th of October. It promises to be a lively affair and is twinned with an Environmental show.
Back to Birmingham.
Active Safety Systems
is the new name taken by Edelrid UK. The new range of products includes ropes and harnesses, fall arrest devices from Arkon and rescue equipment from the Sked range. Ring 01539 735102
The new Streetwise range
of foul weather clothing and the Scott range of breathing apparatus made debuts on the Adco Group Limited stand. They are at North Lane, Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex CO6 1EG
We have seen the EAR and Peltor
hearing protectors before but Aearo Ltd ( 01625 878320) introduced Earflex Hi-Viz protectors which glow in low-light conditions and new corded Earsoft Neons and Blasts which we were told are the most comfortable earplugs around.
The Costar modular software
package from Amplivox Ltd (01865 842411) covers risk assessment, accidents and events, hazard data, sickness absence, medical records, claims management and task scheduling. Just ring for more info.
Anachem
demonstrated its range of portable and fixed gas detection monitors and also launched a new Gastec detector tube starter kit. This kit contains all you will need for simple and cost-effective monitoring. Contact via 01582 747502
Ascom Tele-Nova
had some interesting radio-based personal alarm and paging devices on show. Systems available included Tone, Text, One or Two Way, Speech, Alarm messages with options of incident location, interfacing with PBX and even building management control. ( 01732 742014)
Bahco Tools
were exhibiting at this show for the first time and made the most of their opportunity to demonstrate several new products. These included the ergonomic slip joint plier Type 8224, the 2101 two-in-one pliers and the 325 hacksaw frame. All these tools feature contoured handles for good grip and frictionless action. They are all designed to reduce the risk of RSI. Ring 0121 504 5209 for more details
Benchmark Technologies
had a superb demonstration, when we could fight our way to the front of the crowd, which showed just how effective Derma Shield skin protectant is. We especially liked the moment when the demonstrator dropped acid on his protected hands as the same acid ate through silver foil and let a coin drop into a tumbler. Ring 01633 877569 and ask for the sample you missed at the show.
The new Best Lite
nitrile palm-coated glove on the Best Manufacturing Europe stand is suitable for general handling and light assembly operations. It was to be seen next to the Nitri- Care low-modulus powder-free nitrile disposable glove. Ring 0032 3458 3333
BMES (01224 898666)
is a 24-hour oil and chemical spill response company with bases in Scotland, England and Ireland. An extensive range of off-the-shelf and tailor-made oil/chemical response kits is available.
Bulls Eye International Ltd (01923 210646)
supplies supports for the lumbar spine, back supports for manual handling and supports for wrists, hands, arms and elbows. knee and elbow pads and impact gloves which absorb shock were also prominent.
New powered respirators
from the Chapman & Smith range protect against gases and vapours. These were joined by the new Diablo self contained breathing apparatus and some specialist Fall Arrest equipment. (01825 840323)
You can provide a safe non-slip surface
in a pedestrian area with the Preformed surface dressing ready-to-lay roll from Colas Ltd (01342 711000)
It is simply cut to shape and applied to a primed surface when it has become touch dry.
If your workers have a "stab"
at opening packages without much success or safety then take a look at the range of safety cutters from the Cutter Company Ltd (01628 487125). The S3 packaging tool has a world-wide reputation.
EcoTile
is the name of a heavy-duty interlocking floor tile that can be laid dry over any hard surface quickly and easily. This anti-fatigue and anti-slip matting incorporates drainage holes and provides an instant solution to a dangerous floor.
Electrical Testers
(01604 820220) provides a nationwide professional testing service to ensure that you comply with all aspects of electrical safety. This service covers sized installations, portable appliances, emergency lighting firealarms and Lux lighting surveys.
Thought to be the only
consultancy which specialises in the prevention of damage to health through dermal exposure, Enviroderm Services ( 01386 832311) demonstrated interactive computer based training programmes for health surveillance
Gripfast Ltd
at 01275 333640 offers a range of cost-effective solutions to problems of slipping, tripping and falling on stairs, landings and walkways. They also demonstrated Grideck which has been introduced to provide a non slip surface on ramps, decks and platforms.
Sports shoes
enter the industrial arena with the safety footwear from Hi-Tech Sports UK Ltd. The Nebraska, Yomp and Phantom styles as well as the Magnum black boot ranges are all CE accredited. Could well appeal to the younger element on the shopfloor. (01702 541741)
Iles Optical
displayed its recently launched Stratos safety goggle and the Liteguard lightweight browguard. The company took the opportunity to show its range of 5000 disposable respirators. (0208 998 6600)
Medscreen
was established to help organisations manage the impact of drugs and alcohol on health, safety and performance at work. The company offers a full range of training, education and policy development services. (0207 712 8000)
It's well known
that gloves go hand in hand with safety and Microlin Coopers' display gave weight to this ideal. The company presented cut-resistant, chemical and heat resistant gloves as well as eye and foot care products. (Fax 0208 203 8546)
The disposable ten-blade cartridge
on the DBX safety knife also acts as a sharps bin, Now that is a good idea from Moving Edge Ltd ( 01446 749111). Though to be the safest open blade knife ever, it incorporates automatic blade protection.
New Pig's Pigalog
catalogue offers hundreds of absorbent products, spill containment pallets and decks as well innovative Pig brand products for the control of leaks and spills. Contact via 01689 845885
Here's another interesting product.
Glo-Flex reflects bright white in on-coming headlights and then glows green in total darkness. Omniglow Ltd can be contacted on 01722 744737
Maltron
fully-ergonomic keyboards have now got well over 600 sufferers from RSI back to work. With the costs of RSI injury settlements soaring in the courts you can fulfill part of your duty-of-care by having one of these keyboards available for people to try when they start to suffer the pangs of RSI. Contact PCD Maltron on 0208 398 3265.
Robotag
is a simple and robust inspection management system which removes the uncertainties that you may not be complying with regulations such as Loler. They enable you to check on compliance without having to carry a database with you. The tags, the database and the reader are all improved. (01386 422921).
Safety Unlimited
offers a range of products to deal with the safe storage, handling, dispensing and containment of HFLs and other hazardous substances. The range covers safety cabinets, cans, stores which can be relocated and drum storage units. (01992 715370)
The Informer
is a talking sign which delivers any message in any language to suit its location as you approach it. It can be programmed instantly on site and is a real attention grabber. Select Informer can be contacted on 0208 309 1206.
Southworth Handling
used the show to introduce its new Pallet-Pal2 for the level loading of pallets from 200 to 2,000 Kg. They also featured scissor lifts, stackers and trolleys from the company's extensive range of handling helpers.
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