A bit of tough glove
June 1st 2007 Building and civil engineering contractor, Kier
Group, says in the past it has experienced a
casual attitude towards wearing gloves among its
workforce because it is part of such a traditionally
macho industry. When in 2005 the company's accident
books showed a high rate of hand injuries, the company
decided it was time to take action and called in
Marigold Industrial to help
With thousands of employees and subcontractors working
in one of the most hazardous industries in the UK, Kier
Group understands the importance of protecting its
workforce. In 2005 analysis by Kier of its accident book
entries identified a high rate of hand injuries. A risk
assessment based glove policy was introduced and after
calling in hand protection experts Marigold Industrial to
equip its workforce with the right gloves for the job, Kier
saw a significant reduction in hand injuries across its
sites.
Further analysis of accidents in May 2006 identified that
in the preceding 12 months hand injuries had been
reduced by 89% and injuries to fingers by 93%. The
severity of residual injuries had also been reduced.
Where identified as a requirement by risk
assessment, Kier's direct and sub-contracted staff –
emloyed in the group's construction, civil engineering,
building maintenance and mining activities now wear
gloves from the Marigold Industrial range chosen
specifically for the tasks being carried out on site and
the hazards encountered.
In addition to providing workers with the right gloves
for the job, a key part of the hand protection process at
Kier Group is to work with Marigold Industrial to raise
awareness of and educate workers about construction site
hand hazards and the importance of wearing the right
glove for the job. Trades were involved in trials, and the
selection process, which aided a change in behaviour
regarding attitudes to wearing gloves.
Rather than just focusing on product Marigold Industrial
produces a range of educational posters as well as
undertaking on-site toolbox talks highlighting the
importance of hand protection. In addition to its toolbox
talks, the company has also developed a Train the Trainer
Pack for Kier Group, enabling site managers to deliver the
hand protection training sessions direct to site personnel.
"Talking to numerous operatives from all trades, all over
the country has
given us a
unique
understanding
of the day to
day issues on
site and the
level of
protection
needed,"
explains John
Williams of
Marigold
Industrial.
"This is an ongoing
process,
and enables us
to recommend
a range of
products designed to provide protection against the
hazards encountered with tasks undertaken on Kier sites –
whether house building, civil engineering, construction,
building maintenance or demolition.
"Underpinning all of this has been a focus on promoting
the educational message which has seen the creation and
production of posters, toolbox talks and Train the Trainer
packs. By combining all of these elements together, Kier
Group has been able to significantly reduce the number of
hand injuries on its sites, which shows the benefits that
an active hand protection programme can bring," says
John.
Kier is now able to supply a range of gloves able to
stand up to the specific jobs on site. "The incidences of
cuts, grazes and general hand injuries, always a hazard
where construction and civil engineering are concerned,
have fallen as a result of the establishment of the risk
based hand protection programme," explains Kier Group
head of safety, health and environment, John Morgan.
"Hand injuries frequently result in time off work, but
we are now seeing a reduction in injury-absenteeism,
which has not only meant less pain and stress for the
people who work for us, but has produced the added
benefit of an appreciable cost saving.
"Before we brought in Marigold Industrial to help us
develop the hand protection programme, we tended to
supply a variety of general purpose gloves. Now we not
only provide training to increase awareness of hand
protection but, having assessed the range of tasks being
carried out on our sites and the hazards that come with
them, we supply a range of gloves that are designed to
protect against specific hazards," said John.
"It's a traditionally macho industry and there can be a
bit of a casual attitude towards wearing gloves, but what
has been a big help is that as well as being more than
able to stand up to the battering they get on site, the
gloves also allow for ample dexterity, whether the activity
is carpentry, brick working, steel working or general
labouring." More articles from Marigold Industrial Ltd: | 
