Standards – not always helpful
September 1st 2009 It is not unusual for safety officers and professionals to use references to EN standards to select suitable equipment and, in most instances, product manufacturers use these standards as a route to confirming compliance with the various regulations. It has come to the BSIF's notice that some of the specified test methods have not kept up with the development of modern materials with the consequence that some of the results are difficult to reproduce.
It would appear that there are no safety issues in that there is virtually no risk of anyone being harmed providing manufacturers instructions are followed. The BSIF, through its members, is seeking to resolve these issues as they arise and if any reader has any doubt regarding the integrity of PPE [or other safety equipment] product standards, the BSIF would like to know. More articles from BSIF Enterprise: | 
