BSIF award winners 2008
August 15th 2008 The winners of the 2008 BSIF Awards were announced to a packed auditorium at the Safety and Health Expo in Birmingham on the 13th May. The annual awards celebrate, promote and highlight health and safety products and services which combine innovative design with improvements in occupational health and safety. The awards were presented by Sir John Cullen, President of the BSIF, Chairman of the Judges and former Chairman of the Health & Safety Commission
Each of the award winners had to satisfy a panel of eminent judges that their products or services will contribute to a reduction in work place accidents or injuries, as well as demonstrating innovative design, an original adaptation of existing technology, or unique improvements in ergonomic comfort. Commenting on this year’s awads Sir Cullen said: “Looking at the changes that have occurred within health and safety over the last twelve months it’s clear to see that the industry is setting itself high standards to achieve.
These awards give the industry the ideal opportunity to recognise the companies that are realising these high standards.”
The winner of this year’s product innovation award was the Peltor Solaris submitted by AEARO. The safety helmet features an indicator which tells the user when it is time for it be replaced. “We designed the Solaris because it is very difficult to establish when products will expire, meaning many people may be using helmets which no longer offer effective protection,” explains Aearo’s european marketing assistant Matthew Jackson.
“Because it is such a simple design we were surprised but very excited to win the award and we are pleased that the judges recognised the important role it will play in ensuring people’s PPE is up to scratch.
“Winning the award created a real buzz around our stand at the show,” added Matthew, “with lots of people wanting to come and see the award-winning product.”
The overall winners of the Safety Service Awards was Arco Aberdeen.
Commenting on the achievement, Dougie Lowe, branch manager said, “I am absolutely thrilled. Business is extremely buoyant at the moment and consequently we need to respond quickly and with authority to meet our customers’ demands for safety products, equipment and workwear. The award is recognition from our customers that we understand the specific needs of their particular industry and can offer specialised safety expertise and a product range that suits their requirements. It’s great news for Arco and a real coup for our branch team.”
Special mention should also go to the Highly Commended award winner, The Local Exhaust Ventilation System (LEV) submitted by the HSE. This was recognised as a major educational tool in raising awareness about the correct way to apply and use Local Exhaust Ventilation in order to protect workers’ health. It is hoped the system will play an important role in raising standards of LEV which it is feared are currently not as high as they should be. More information about LEV is available at www.hse.gov.uk
Landmark year David Lummis, Head of BSIF Enterprises and awards director spoke of 2008 as a landmark year for the awards: “We had the highest level of entries ever this year, exceeding all our expectations and making choosing a winner an even more difficult task than usual. There were a number of very innovative products entered but the overall winner – the Peltor Solaris – particularly impressed the judges because it is such a simple solution to a long term problem.”
If you missed out on the 2008 awards it is never too early to be thinking about submitting entries or nominations for the 2009 awards, indeed many companies are already looking ahead. Stuart Turnbull, Managing Director of Sperian Protection which won a Commended Award for its Söll Vi-Go cable-based fall protection system commented: “We were pleased to win an award this year and with Sperian launching many innovative products during the coming year we will certainly look to impress the judges again next year”. Keep an eye on the BSIF website www.bsif.co.uk and these pages for details of how to apply.
PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARDS
Overall Winner
Peltor Solaris - Submitted by AEARO Technologies Selected for being “a simple solution to a long term problem,” the Peltor Solaris helmet contains a small indicator, built into the helmet which tells the user when it is time for it to be replaced.
When people are working outdoors, the sun’s ultraviolet rays gradually degrade a helmet’s plastic, eventually putting the safety of the wearer at risk.
But it is often hard to tell the difference between a new and a UV-aged helmet so many people continue wearing a helmet long past its use by date. Peltor G2000 SOLARIS. makes it possible to tell when a helmet is unusable due to UV exposure.
Highly Commended Winner
Local Exhaust Ventilation [LEV] - Submitted by the Health and Safety Executive
Commended Winners
• Soll Vi-Go Vertical Arrest System - Submitted by Sperian Protection
• EZ-Line Retractable Horizontal Lifeline System - Submitted by Safety Group Limited
• Micron - Submitted by The Heightec Group
SAFETY SERVICE AWARDS
Overall Winner
Arco - Aberdeen Branch Customer Services - Submitted by Arco Aberdeen
Highly Commended Winner
Willis Safety Limited - Customer Services - Submitted by W C Willis & Co Limited
Commended Winners
Arco Irvine - Customer Services - Submitted by ARCO West Scotland
Speedy Hire - Customer Services - Submitted by Speedy Hire
SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARDS
A new addition to the BSIF’s safety awards portfolio for 2008, the Safety Excellence Awards were based upon submitted case studies of safety activities which have created improvements in the occupational safety of organisations. Three schemes gained recognition through these awards.
Commended Winners
• Fit Test Programme - Submitted by Moldex Metric AG & Co Kg
• Fish Farm Scheme - Submitted by W C Willis & Co Limited
• Guardian Hand Protection Management - Submitted by Ansell More articles from British Safety Industry Federation: | 
