Product category:
Personnel: Safety, Hygiene + Development
News Release from: Arco | Subject: Breathe easy week
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 May 2008
Check respiratory equipment in Breathe
Easy Week
Arco, the UK's leading supplier of safety equipment and workwear, is urging employers to check the performance of their respiratory protective equipment during Breathe Easy Week
Breathe Easy Week is the annual awareness campaign of the British Lung Foundation which runs from June 16th - 21st Hundreds of substances found in the workplace have been identified as causing occupational lung disease, a condition that can present itself in many debilitating forms, even years after exposure
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 30 Nov 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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According to the latest HSE figures, 31% of employers state that their workforces could be exposed to work-related breathing risks and 142,000 employees suffer breathing or lung problems that they believe to be work related.
Look after your lungs! says Steven Binnie, the Arco Category Manager for Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE): "We cannot underestimate the importance of providing employees with a well-fitting respirator with the correct level of protection, if we are to help drive down these statistics.
Breathe Easy Week is the perfect opportunity for companies to heighten the awareness of protecting your lungs.
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Although recent legislative requirements have led to a better understanding of occupational health and safety, industry is still working hard to enforce the regular wearing of PPE where risk assessment has identified its necessity.
In order to improve wearer acceptance, it is vital to ensure that any PPE is comfortable as well as protective.
That's where Arco can help".
In addition to supplying the UK's biggest range of personal protective equipment, Arco provides a host of workplace safety solutions including site surveys, face fit-testing, wearer trials and training.
The company offers its own range of RPE, but also works in partnership with leading manufacturers like 3M, Scott, Moldex and Sundstrom to ensure customers receive the most up-to-date advice and guidance and can benefit from global innovation.
As Steven points out, "Years ago, people didn't understand the risks associated with being unprotected against hazardous substances in the workplace, or just accepted their fate as a hazard of the job.
As a result, today, the HSE reports that past exposure to asbestos, chemicals, fumes and dusts is responsible for around 4000 of the 6000 chronic pulmonary disease related deaths annually, and over the last three years, past exposure to asbestos and coal dust has accounted for a large proportion of the 6300 cases of industrial injuries assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
Thankfully, a greater awareness of the effects of hazardous substances has led to stricter legislative requirements and a wider provision of PPE: so, slowly but surely, the number of new cases are on the decline".
Watch out for the hidden risk.
Talking about the highest contributor to occupational lung disease in today's workplace environments, Steven adds.
"In addition to the obvious toxic chemicals, dusts and fumes, many hidden substances that can't be seen, tasted or touched can lead to the onset of work-related lung or respiratory disease if the correct protection is not worn.
For instance, high rates of occupational asthma are found in the baking industry, electronics, paint spraying and plastics and in jobs where people have contact with natural latex rubber (often found in medical gloves)".
For more information about how Arco can help make a difference to your workplace safety, please visit the website or call into your nearest branch.
Notes: HSE Statistical information: HSSHE0607.
British Lung Foundation (Breathe Easy Week): http://www.lunguk.org/media-and-campaigning/campaigns/breatheeasyweek.htm.
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