Bacou Dalloz - Experts in Eye and Ear Protection
August 1st 2004

Bacou-Dalloz is the worlds leading personal protection equipment (PPE) manufacturer with a complete range of protective equipment for the workplace. Here we focus on the latest developments in eye and ear protection from their Pulsafe and Bilsom ranges. Protection for the eyes Workers in almost every industry are exposed to hazards that can cause temporary or permanent eyesight injury. So the right protective equipment is required to minimise the risks from activities such as handling chemicals, dangerous substances, and pressurised gases or working with machinery and tools, such as welding equipment. It is important to carry out regular inspections on eye protection equipment, including cleaning lenses and checking for scratches to ensure compliance with PPE legislation. The storage and use of equipment, training of employees, records and reporting loss or damage must also be monitored. A wide range of eye protection is available, but commonly used items include safety spectacles, goggles and faceshields. Pulsafe is recognised throughout Europe for its expertise, high quality manufacturing technology and innovation in protective eyewear. Through its wide range of ergonomic, lightweight and stylish products, Pulsafe meets most safety needs and expectations for working environments where eyesight is at risk. Latest product introductions are the new Pulsafe XC safety spectacles and the Bionic faceshield. The Bionic faceshield provides total protection while offering the most comfortable fit available. It was designed with input from workers wearing faceshields in the most demanding environments and applications, such as chemical protection, mining, construction, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, foundry and ship building. It is suitable for heavy mechanical tasks, glare/UV and welding. The Bionics all-in-one innovative design offers built-in chin protection, a two-position headgear for easier adjustability, large superior quality visor for maximum visibility. The visor is easy to remove and change for longer product life (and so cost savings), as there is no need to replace the entire shell. Visors are available in different materials, tints and finishes to suit individual needs. It is lightweight, has a strong shell, featuring a breathable soft headband, which can be easily removed for washing and replacement. The adjustable shell can accommodate goggles or certain respirators, all encouraging the 100% wearing time objective. Ensuring PPE is fit for purpose, is a safety-critical issue. For example, will goggles fit under a helmet? Can prescription lenses be fitted for users who wear spectacles? The Pulsafe range addresses such isssues and is setting new standards in eye protection. The 9-base curved lens in their XC spectacles offers total wrap-around coverage, offering the wearer exceptional peripheral vision along with complete protection. In addition, the lens can be changed easily without replacing the entire frame, increasing the service. There are nine different lenses to choose from. This new design also encompasses the RX insert, which can accommodate corrective lenses for prescription wearers. The insert is protected by the XC spectacle so is less susceptible to damage and more durable. So the prescription wearer can have the same stylish design as a non-spectacle wearer. Thanks to the Multi-Material Technology (MMT) dual-injection manufacturing process applied to all parts of the spectacle in contact with the face or head (brow, nose bridge and temples), XC spectacles offer the highest comfort levels by effectively relieving all pressure points. Because of the flexibility of the frame, the non-slip function and the ability to adjust the length and height of the cushioned temples, the Pulsafe XC safety spectacles fit men and women. They are particularly suitable for use in utilities, light and heavy manufacturing, the automotive and shipbuilding industries as well as in biotechnology applications. For demanding environments and protection against impact, dust, liquids and molten metals. The V-Maxx welding goggle combines maximum performance with enhanced comfort. It has a 180 degrees panoramic field of vision (without distorting peripheral vision) and provides excellent protection against ultraviolet and infrared radiation. The polycarbonate lens is available in two shades (3 and 5) and features both anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings on the inside and outside. The goggle can be used when wearing a hard hat and also when using half-mask respirators or disposable masks. It can also be worn over most prescription spectacles. Protection for the ears Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent loss of hearing or a permanent ringing in the ears tinnitus. Factors contributing to hearing damage are noise levels and how long people are exposed to these. Every day, workers rely on Bilsom to block out noise and manage sound in some of the worlds most acoustically challenging environments. This comprehensive range of hearing safety products offers various features and attenuation levels able to meet a different user and environmental demands. The best way to reduce risk to hearing from noise exposure is simply to wear ear protectors. However, they are effective only if they are correctly selected so they reduce sound adequately, and if they are worn at all times in noisy areas. Noise assessments should be carried out regularly to identify which employees are exposed to excessive noise. They will also provide information enabling employers to comply with their duties, including dealing with reduction of noise exposure, provision of correct ear protection, the marking of ear protection zones and information to employees. The Bacou-Dalloz Bilsom range leads the industry in developing innovative sound management technologies and products that are used in some of the worlds most challenging environments. A total of 20 new designs have now been added to their extensive hearing protection range, representing the best available in technology, protection, performance and comfort. The most common reason for not wearing ear defenders is the feeling of isolation resulting from the inability to hear speech or danger signals. However, the latest breakthrough in acoustic technology Clarity Noise Filtering when used in sound management earmuffs screens harmful noise while still allowing workers to hear alarms, warning signals or even co-workers voices, without removing hearing protection. Thunder, Leightning and Viking are noise-blocking earmuffs, providing maximum protection with contemporary design. The Bilsom range of communication earmuffs offers full hearing protection while also keeping workers connected to external communication devices, which can be critical in environments where hazards are hard to detect because of the ambient noise. Add music and routine jobs become more satisfying. These radio earmuffs provide protection from noise and let workers listen to music from a built-in FM radio or connection to a personal input source.

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