Latest news in brief
August 31st 2006

It's in your hands campaign gathers momentum

The first significant campaign created by an HSE/trade body partnership, the It's in your hands campaign is now attracting participation by major companies within the Safety Industry. The campaign is designed to reduce the incidence of work-related dermatitis and capitalise on the ability of the supply-side to reach workers and supervisors on the shop floor.

Within the campaign, the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) and Safety Groups UK (SGUK) are developing their seminars which seek to increase awareness of the problem and advise on possible solutions. Coupled with this, blue-chip suppliers of skin protection products, PPE gloves and major specialist safety distributors have now signed up as participants in the campaign. In future issues we will provide details of companies actively supporting the It's in your hands campaign so that readers know how to access more information. For more details on how to take part, just contact the BSIF directly or through the Editor.

Fit Test Training for Respiratory Protection

From discussions across the safety industry it is apparent that competency-based professional "fit-test" training is urgently needed for those providing the service. There is clear evidence that many accidents and incidents happen as a result of the misuse of PPE (currently estimated at upwards of 22 000 per year) and that the training provided for users of respiratory equipment is often inadequate, inaccurate and incomplete.

Driven by a desire for this situation to be resolved, the PSMA Respiratory Protection Group with the BSIF has decided to take the lead. This group, primarily consisting of manufacturers, has a strong commercial interest in its members' products being used correctly and it is now convening a meeting dedicated towards improvements in the content and quality of 'fit-test' training. The initial approach is that all 'fit-test' providers should be independently accredited to evidence their competence in being able to provide adequate, complete and effective service. If any readers have a view or would wish to take part in this initiative, please contact the editor.

BSIF MemberForum to be launched

Whilst the new facility within the BSIF Website is designed primarily to assist communication between interested members and to permit the ability for e-meetings to take place, there will be benefits to readers and browsers in due course.

Since each of the areas within the new MemberForum will be dedicated to specific topics, for example, respiratory protection, handling liquid spills, site safety audits, etc., it is likely that there will be an open section in each area to permit the provision of up-to-the-minute information for browsers, which is specific to the subject. A spokesman for the BSIF says "As far as the we know, there is currently no such facility on-line which can claim to be independent of commercial or vested interests. While it is relatively easy to structure the site, it is a much more challenging operation to co-ordinate the provision of independent and unbiased information. The MemberForum will be launched to BSIF members in October, and we hope to launch public access towards the end of 2006."

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