Raising standards in safety

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is the Trade Association for the safety industry and acts as a leading voice for the sector. Set up in 1994 the Federation has some 400 members representing the complete supply chain including manufacturers, importers and distributors of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety products, through to test houses, certification bodies and specialist safety service providers.

BSIF work closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Trading Standards with whom we have a Primary Authority partnership. BSIF are the UK’s leading association for the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation 2016/425 and provide guidance for PPE compliance, working closely with Regulators, we are active across a range of Government departments. Our close relationship and influence with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) continues to develop our access to the appropriate agencies which allows us to be at the forefront on legislation and policy in the post-Brexit era.

We actively support our member organisations through a variety of means and have their collective interests at the heart of what we do. Whether we are promoting industry guidance or bringing together stakeholders, the BSIF’s mantra is always ‘to support all those keeping people safe and healthy at work” whilst re-affirming the message that health and safety is a positive force for good’.

Through the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme (RSSS), BSIF is helping to improve standards in the UK market by ensuring our members adhere to relevant regulation. The scheme seeks to improve the quality of product and the capability of suppliers, keeping users and buyers up to date, while promoting the merits of using RSSS members to source PPE and safety products. 

During HSM Live Leeds, BSIF will be showcasing our ‘table of shame’ which is a collection of non compliant, non conforming and potentially dangerous PPE that BSIF have found for sale within the UK. Highlighting the availability of these products helps to show purchasers of PPE and Safety equipment that not every product brought will offer the protection expected and it is vital to make informed decisions when sourcing products. BSIF can show the solutions to purchasing PPE and Safety Products in a safe and responsible manner.

On the BSIF stand you will also be able to view a demonstration of the importance of correctly fitted Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). BSIF uses the Face Fit Respirator Demonstrator to illustrate the risk of wearing poorly fitted masks including those being wrongly worn over facial hair. Seeing this kit in action will help to prove why face fitting and adhering to guidance is vital in protecting mask wearers who may not actually be getting the protection they expect from their mask if it does not fit them correctly.

BSIF run a Duty Holder membership scheme which is free to join if you are a business or individual that uses PPE and Safety Products. The Duty Holder membership scheme offers a range of benefits including access to BSIF’s PPE Helpline where PPE queries can be asked and answered by our industry experts. Other benefits of joining include access to BSIF guidance documents, exclusive events and industry leading training courses. Speak to a BSIF staff member for all the details.

For more information, visit www.bsif.co.uk