Archive for the ‘Workplace Safety’ Category

May
25
Filed Under (Workplace Safety) by jennyandrew on 25-04-2007

Modern fire extinguishers are highly sophisticated items of equipment and strict regulations are in force in the manufacture and maintenance of each appliance.

The Construction and Operation of Modern Fire Extinguishers

Modern portable fire extinguishers are typically Stored Pressure or Cartridge Operated Fire Extinguishers. Manufacturers of fire extinguishers tend to produce both types of fire extinguisher with stored pressure fire extinguishers being the most common.
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Apr
01
Filed Under (Workplace Safety) by jennyandrew on 25-04-2007

The beauty of non slip flooring and grip tapes are their ease of application but the removal of the tape is also a requirement.

“How do I remove grip tape?” is a very popular question for grip tapes and non slip flooring tape manufacturers.

For obvious reasons the anti skid tape is designed to be permanent, the whole ethos with it is focused on creating the most durable and effective safety flooring tape.  Processes and constituent materials should be constantly reviewed, as in all industries new and improved components are developed.  Progressively and consistently follows or creates best practise to ensure that the customer receives the most advanced product available; HOWEVER, all this helps to create problems for those who wish to remove it.

If one tries to simply remove the safety flooring or grip tapes it will be difficult; you will either struggle to remove it or the plastic film will fragment into smaller pieces.  There are two recommended methods;

1).  With some form of flat tool (something like a scraper) remove one of the corners; you need to ensure you remove enough to create a thumb grip.  Slowly peel back the material touching surface-to-surface, this part is critical, it is called a ‘low energy pull’.  All self adhesive materials have an inherent weakness; their adhesive is composed of thin strands, once these thin strands are bent back and forced into an acute angle they snap.  You must ensure that the material is taken back, surface-to-surface, this is the critical part.

2).  Heat does help with removal, as our adhesives are initially liquid based heat will go some way to reverting it back to its original liquid state.  Ideally heat guns are better than hair dryers; they dissipate the heat better over the surface.  A surface temperature around 60~70ºC is ideal.

There is no guarantee for easy removal, as mentioned above the material is designed to be permanent, some removals are easy, some are very frustrating!  Once removed you can apply material straight onto the surface, you would not need to re-prime but would need to edge fix again if this is required.

Once the non slip flooring tape has been successfully removed there should not be much adhesive residue left behind, if however you want to remove any remnants we recommend the use of white spirit or a harsher solvent such as MEK or toluene.  Please test the surface prior to using these; they can sometimes react with delicate substrates.

Non slip tape can provide combined uses for example safety in the dark or areas of low level lighting. Tapes are available with photo luminescent coatings as well as the non slip element. Waterproof tapes are also available for areas where there is a lot of water for example on a pool side. These waterproof tapes are effective for walking on with shoes or barefoot. Finally safety flooring tapes which are combined with hazard warning strips. Of course, due to changes in room use, moving round of goods or furniture and simply when moving premises, the ability to be able to swap, move or replace non slip flooring and grip tapes is essential.



Apr
01
Filed Under (Workplace Safety) by jennyandrew on 25-04-2007

Slipping over on floors or down stairs are common forms of accidents in the workplace and in the home. Slip and falls can result in serious injury. Prevention of such accidents is very easy with care, attention and by using easy to apply anti slip and non slip tape.

Yellow Coarse Traction Tape
Snow, ice and mud easily clog and restrict the grip capability of most traction tapes surfaces. Yellow coarse traction tape is coated with a deep aluminium oxide mineral to help prevent clogging. Ideal for use in ski resorts and any area that suffers from icy or muddy conditions.

Black Standard Anti Slip Tape
Black standard anti slip tape is the most common and widely used of all the anti slip tapes as it is ideal for any general non slip requirement. This material has a permanent self adhesive, plastic base and is coated with extremely tough, diamond hard aluminium oxide.  The anti slip capability (coefficient of friction) exceeds all legal requirements.  It prevents slips and trips on stairs, internal walkways and external areas. For muddy or icy areas, a coarse tape should be used.

Conformable Anti Skid Tape
Conformable anti skid tape is a must for all irregular surfaces such as diamond tread plate, 5 bar tread etc.  The foil backing of conformable anti skid tape easily conforms to the peaks and valleys turning a previously slippery surface (diamond tread plate can be lethal in wet conditions) into one achieving the highest grip rating. Due to the nature of its purpose, conformable tape is mainly used in the form of highly visible black and yellow stripes to highlight potentially risky areas.

Transparent Non Slip Tape
A clear grip tape is perfect for applying when you need an unobtrusive yet extremely effective anti slip surface.  Most grip tapes use aluminium oxide which is naturally opaque, so to produce perfect clarity, a translucent S2 coating ensures a truly transparent grip tape.  Perfect for applications on marble, company logos (create that amazing 3D effect!), terrazzo and all aesthetically appealing areas.

Black Yellow Hazard Non Slip Flooring
The black and yellow hazard non slip flooring and tape has a high grip non slip surface but with high visibility stripes.  Great for applying onto RVs, trucks, nosings and all safety critical areas.  It can often be obtained in different shapes and sizes for should there be a special requirement.

Glow In The Dark Plain Colour Anti Skid Tape
Photoluminescent anti slip tape combines a high grip surface yet also possesses a bright glow in the dark capability.  The photoluminescent anti skid tape is charged by natural or incandescent lights; they store the energy and slowly release it when the lighting dims.  Ideal for stair nosings, walkways and other potentially hazardous areas, will emit a glow in time of power failure.  A must for any organization which wants to fulfil all requirements, this material does not contain any radioactive materials.

Red White Hazard Sandpaper Tape
Red and white hazard sandpaper tape helps to minimize insurance and liability risks through its warning capabilities as well as its grip. This kind of sandpaper tape product is perfect for all industrial and commercial applications.

Aqua Non Slip Tape
Aqua non slip tape has a multitude of uses from baths and showers to boats, hot tubs and swimming pools.  Aqua floor tapes are completely non-abrasive yet still allows great grip as many uses of this tape are where bare feet are present.  These tapes can be found in cut sizes or rolls and it is recommended for baths and wet rooms to apply the aqua floor tape in strips to create a ladder type effect.  The material does not contain any grit so will not harbor any dirt or bacteria.



Mar
30
Filed Under (Workplace Safety) by jennyandrew on 25-04-2007

In these days the early radio or wireless fire alarm systems began to gain a poor reputation for reliability, mainly related to the radio transmissions and battery life of the devices.  However over time the technology involved in these systems has steadily advanced to where we are today.  Today’s Radio or Wireless Fire Alarm Systems are light years ahead of their early 80’s ancestors.  Interestingly the advance in technology with the radio fire alarm systems has occurred as a bi-product of major advances in technology in the computer, battery and mobile phone industries.  Radio Fire Alarm System designers and engineers have embraced and harnessed this technology to create a new generation of radio fire alarm systems that are much more sophisticated in terms of performance, fault monitoring and reliability.  These new fire alarm systems are fully compliant to BS5839 and EN54 and are fully monitored.
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Dec
16
Filed Under (Workplace Safety) by jennyandrew on 25-04-2007

Protective workwear and PPE Equipment (Personal Protective Equipment) can be used for commercial, industrial, trade and home use. The correct protective workwear provides comfortable, high quality personal protection that meets recognised international standards. The correct protective workwear is so important in meeting health and safety standards and initiatives in the workplace.

Saftey clothing can come in the form of protection but also when high visibility is required or workwear that alerts colleagues and the general public that a particular job or process is being carried out.

Many building sites will not let a workman on even a subcontractor, without the correct safety boots and clothing. Should they not have the correct protective workwear then they will be told to leave and come back. This can delay the job and loose a subcontractor the money for that day.

Saftey workwear is anthing from a high visibility vest to protective earwear, boots and jackets.



Dec
09
Filed Under (Industrial Supplies, Workplace Safety) by jennyandrew on 25-04-2007

Health and safety in the workplace is becoming more and more important.  Regulations for businesses to adhere to and implement have been strongly in the past 10 years. In 1999 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations were introduced to set out to employers their responsibilities of health and safety in the workplace. Since then, employers have had to carry out risk assessments in the workplace by either an in house health and safety officer or a professional risk assessment consultant. The risk assessment identifies any problems, risks and deficiencies in the workplace from anything from fire extinguishers and fire drills to toxic fumes and potential accident hot spots. This act provides guidance, codes of practice and regulations for the employer to carry out the risk assessment as quickly and as easily as possible.

Slipping over on floors or down stairs are common forms of accidents in the workplace. These can result in serious injury. Prevention of such accidents is very easy and it is not just in industrial workshops and factories that slipping over can occur. Offices are as dangerous if the right prevention techniques and processes are not implemented. Stairs, storage areas, kitchens and corridors can be potential slipping areas.

A very easy way to help to prevent such accidents is by using anti slip or non slip tape on floors and stairs. These tapes come in various different sizes, forms and shapes each specifically manufactured for a particular purpose ensuring maximum protection. Older buildings for example are areas where health and safety issues tend not to be as evident especially on an old, uneven staircase. Non slip and anti slip tapes are easy to apply on such surfaces.
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