03Dec2015

Should You Be Wearing PPE?

Admin health & safety

Construction sites are very dangerous places to work, being surrounded by heavy machinery, noisy power tools, large trucks and Lorries, entering confined working spaces, or being in contact with potentially hazardous materials (Asbestos) chemicals and gases, can greatly increase the risk of accidents. So if you are working on, visiting or managing a building or construction site, you need to ensure that you and your staff are dressing appropriately.

We at SafetyLiftinGear, take Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) extremely seriously. Here is an example of the products that we stock in our specialist PPE section:

Ear protection

When you are working in loud environments where you are exposed to loud noises it is important to take care of your hearing, prolonged exposure to loud noises can lead to noise related hearing loss, or tinnitus. You can protect yourself against noise by using our Ear defenders. Our ear defenders offer comfort and protection with a noise reduction rating up to 34dB.

Click here to view our full range of ear defenders

Eye Protection

By law eye protection must be worn when you are in a hazardous area, if you are employing people to work on your site it is your responsibility to provide eye protection. When choosing eye protection it is important that they are comfortable, and that they are designed to protect you from the potential hazard such high speed flying metal particles, small stones, or chemical splashes. You will also need to consider if you are going to be using ear protection with them, or a respirator, as these items can affect how the glasses fit.

Here at SafetyLiftinGear our safety goggles have a soft, adjustable head strap to ensure that they are comfortable and can be used with your ear protection and respirators if needed. Click here to View.

Dust Masks

Every year people are dying because of prolonged exposure to hazardous substances while at work. Dust masks help prevent the development of respiratory illnesses caused from the inhalation of hazardous substances while you are working. Many hazardous substances are fine dusts, smoke, gas and vapour, most of which you cannot see.

When you are choosing your dust mask, make sure it is suitable for the potential hazards you could be facing in your workplace. Here at SafetyLiftinGear we stock a huge range of dust masks that will protect you from a range of hazardous substances, click here to view our comprehensive range.

High Visibility Clothing

When you are working on a building or construction site, you are at increased risk of injury by large trucks, and Lorries when they are entering, navigating and exiting a work site. High visibility clothing is made from materials with florescent pigments and reflective bands over the shoulders and around the waist. Make sure that you are choosing the correct high visibility clothing for the working conditions, and the task that you are carrying out.

Here at Safety Lifting Gear we stock a huge range of high visibility wear, including safety jacket harnesses, high visibility overalls, and high visibility jackets. Click here to view our full range of high Visibility clothing.

Did you know that here at SafetyLiftinGear we can also offer Custom branded workwear? Just head over to Safety Life Gear where all of the Personal Protection Equipment is Customisable. So if you want to proudly display your companies name and logo on your high visibility jacket you can!

03Dec2015

Should You Be Wearing PPE?

Admin health & safety

Construction sites are very dangerous places to work, being surrounded by heavy machinery, noisy power tools, large trucks and lorries, entering confined working spaces, or being in contact with potentially hazardous materials (Asbestos) chemicals and gases, can greatly increase the risk of accidents. So if you are working on, visiting or managing a building or construction site, you need to ensure that you and your staff are dressing appropriately.

When is PPE Needed?

According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), PPE should be used “when all other measures are inadequate to control exposure”. PPE is generally advised to be used as a last resort, when risks to employee health cannot be avoided or controlled in any other way.

Do I need PPE?

If your workplace is found to have risks to your health that cannot be controlled by any other means, you might need PPE. If PPE is needed, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure PPE is provided to all employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work. It is also the responsibility of the employer to provide said PPE free of charge, whether it is returnable or not (Section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974).

Workplace PPE from SafetyLiftinGear:

We at SafetyLiftinGear, take Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) extremely seriously. Here is an example of the products that we stock in our specialist PPE section:

Ear protection

When you are working in loud environments where you are exposed to loud noises it is important to take care of your hearing, prolonged exposure to loud noises can lead to noise related hearing loss, or tinnitus. You can protect yourself against noise by using our Ear defenders. Our ear defenders offer comfort and protection with a noise reduction rating up to 34dB.

Click here to view our full range of ear defenders

Eye Protection

By law eye protection must be worn when you are in a hazardous area, if you are employing people to work on your site it is your responsibility to provide eye protection. When choosing eye protection it is important that they are comfortable, and that they are designed to protect you from the potential hazard such high speed flying metal particles, small stones, or chemical splashes. You will also need to consider if you are going to be using ear protection with them, or a respirator, as these items can affect how the glasses fit.

Here at SafetyLiftinGear our safety goggles have a soft, adjustable head strap to ensure that they are comfortable and can be used with your ear protection and respirators if needed. Click here to View.

Dust Masks

Every year people are dying because of prolonged exposure to hazardous substances while at work. Dust masks help prevent the development of respiratory illnesses caused from the inhalation of hazardous substances while you are working. Many hazardous substances are fine dusts, smoke, gas and vapour, most of which you cannot see.

When you are choosing your dust mask, make sure it is suitable for the potential hazards you could be facing in your workplace. Here at SafetyLiftinGear we stock a huge range of dust masks that will protect you from a range of hazardous substances, click here to view our comprehensive range.

High Visibility Clothing

When you are working on a building or construction site, you are at increased risk of injury by large trucks, and Lorries when they are entering, navigating and exiting a work site. High visibility clothing is made from materials with florescent pigments and reflective bands over the shoulders and around the waist. Make sure that you are choosing the correct high visibility clothing for the working conditions, and the task that you are carrying out.

Here at Safety Lifting Gear we stock a huge range of high visibility wear, including safety jacket harnesses, high visibility overalls, and high visibility jackets. Click here to view our full range of high Visibility clothing.

Did you know that here at SafetyLiftinGear we can also offer Custom branded workwear? Just head over to Safety Life Gear where all of the Personal Protection Equipment is Customisable. So if you want to proudly display your companies name and logo on your high visibility jacket you can!

02Dec2015

The Importance of Height Safety Measures and Risk Assessments

mike health & safety

Recently, two more news stories have come to our attention which highlight the importance of implementing proper health and safety procedures, particularly when working at height.

The first of these concerns Wayne Morgan, a scaffolder from Castleford who has been prosecuted following the death of one of his workers. It was revealed in court that the accident occurred due to an incorrect use of scaffolding edge protection, which left a gap for the individual to fall through and fatally injure himself. The employer was subsequently sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £15,000 in costs, having breached Regulation 8(a) of the Work at Height Regulations.

A demolition company in Glasgow has also experienced similar circumstances in recent times, after a 50-year-old worker fell when carrying out work from a mobile scaffolding platform. A cable tray swung and hit the worker, causing him to fall five feet from the platform he was working on, and fracture both his right elbow and left arm. The platform had not been put together properly and was missing several essential items, made worse by the fact that no proper risk assessment or inspection had been performed before use. The company in question, DSR Demolition, were subsequently fined £5,000 for breeching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations.

Accidents at work are terrible for both the companies concerned as well as their employees, often causing lasting and unrepairable damage to the lives of those involved. Employers who are found guilty of workplace negligence not only have to deal with the legal implications of their actions, but also with the guilt that comes with bearing responsibility for causing the accidents. They also have to accept that their company may suffer long-term reputation issues following the events, which in the worst scenarios could lead to them ceasing to work in their profession altogether.

For employees and their families, the consequences could be worse still, resulting in serious injury and in the worst cases, death. As illustrated in the story above, even short falls can be dangerous, making it impossible for the victims to return to work for a period of time due to their physical and psychological trauma.

In order to prevent situations like the examples mentioned above, it is vital that employers follow a short list of simple procedures:

Provide the correct height safety equipment for specific jobs, ensuring that all factors have been taken into account.
Ensure that all equipment is regularly tested and is suitable for use.
Conduct proper risk assessments and make sure that all staff are properly briefed on safety procedures.

We provide a large number of height safety solutions here at SafetyLiftinGear, all of which are intended to provide maximum protection whilst working at height. To see our full range, click here.

30Nov2015

Children's Climbing Equipment

mike products

Climbing can be a great pastime for children, especially as it's a fun and adventurous way to stay active and learn a new skill. If your little one is going to be trying this out, or undertaking another activity which involves potentially hazardous heights, then it's essential that they are provided with the correct safety equipment.

Here at SafetyLiftinGear, we provide a range of children's climbing equipment, which is tailored specifically to suit very small body shapes. Our harnesses are suitable for children ages 4-9, and consist of a full body strap design, which is necessary for young children who do not have well-defined hips. In addition to our harnesses, we also stock a range of helmets as part of our children's climbing equipment range, which fit a size 48cm-56cm head.

To view all of the children's climbing equipment we stock here at SafetyLiftinGear, click here. If you can't find what you're looking for, or if you're trying to find items to fit an older child, feel free to get in touch with us, or take a look at our main safety harness range.

26Nov2015

How To Use Our Machine Moving Skates

Admin products

If you are considering moving a storage container, a large machine, or a large awkward piece of equipment or furniture, then you will need one of our high quality machine moving skates. Machine moving skates make the transportation of a 55 tonne storage container easy work.

To use machine skates simply get 4 low profile toe jacks to lift up the equipment that you wish to move. By using the toe jacks, jack the object high enough to slide the moving skate under all four corners. Slowly release the toe jacks when you are sure that the machine is in place. Attach the steering bars and move your machine to its new place.

Because of the weight that you could be moving with machine jacks, it is important that you chose high quality machine skates. Our ranges of machine moving skates all have polyurethane wheels. Polyurethane wheels have a higher load bearing capacity than rubber wheels and are oil and solvent resistant, they are also tear resistant, weather resistant, and resistant to extreme temperatures. On top of all these benefits, they also reduce the risk of damaging your work place floor.

Click here for more information about our range of high quality machine moving skates.

26Nov2015

How To Use Our Machine Moving Skates

Admin products

If you are considering moving a storage container, a large machine, or a large awkward piece of equipment or furniture, then you will need one of our high quality machine moving skates. Machine moving skates make the transportation of a 55 tonne storage container easy work.

To use machine skates simply get 4 low profile toe jacks to lift up the equipment that you wish to move. By using the toe jacks, jack the object high enough to slide the moving skate under all four corners. Slowly release the toe jacks when you are sure that the machine is in place. Attach the steering bars and move your machine to its new place.

Because of the weight that you could be moving with machine jacks, it is important that you chose high quality machine skates. Our ranges of machine moving skates all have polyurethane wheels. Polyurethane wheels have a higher load bearing capacity than rubber wheels and are oil and solvent resistant, they are also tear resistant, weather resistant, and resistant to extreme temperatures. On top of all these benefits, they also reduce the risk of damaging your work place floor.

Click here for more information about our range of high quality machine moving skates.

25Nov2015

Equipment Rental: Is it Better to Hire or Buy?

mike products

Here at SafetyLiftinGear, we pride ourselves on stocking a comprehensive range of lifting and material handling equipment, both of which are essential in order to provide a safe and secure working environment. One of the many benefits of ordering from us, is that we offer the option to buy or rent your equipment, allowing you to fine tune your purchase according to your budget and time-scale.

If you're not sure which of the two choices is right for you, take a look at our list of pros and cons to weigh up which option is the best fit:

Equipment Hire

Pros:

The up-front cost is cheaper than buying the product outright.
It can be great for one-off jobs, and saves you from investing in a product that you are unlikely to get much use from.
it provides you with the guarantee of a certified and tested solution for each job.

Cons:

It can cost you more long-term if you're repeatedly having to hire the same equipment.
You may have to extend the rental period if the job goes on for longer than expected.
You could be subject to extra costs if an item is damaged.

Purchasing Your Equipment

Pros:

Having a good selection of equipment at your disposal whenever you need it.
Saves you money in the long term if you will be using the equipment regularly.
You will not have the hassle of returning the item once the work is complete.

Cons

You will need a stable, and long-term storage space to house your equipment.
The initial cost is more expensive, which means you could loose out if it's only for a short-term job.
You will need to maintain and keep track of each item yourself.

Once you have decided which of the two is the best for your specific job, you can visit our lifting equipment and material handling pages to browse our full selection of items. Once you have made your choice, select either the 'buy now' or 'hire me' option, for a fast and efficient order process.