From the CEO’s desk

I am reminded of the phrase, ‘a bad workman blames his tools’ but this
is too sweeping a statement and will quite possibly divert you from reading
further. Firstly when protecting workers, it is the responsibility of an
employer to conduct a risk assessment of the hazards faced and to use this as
the basis to ensure correct protection of his or her workforce. This includes
ensuring appropriate measures are in place, where possible, to remove the
hazards and if this is not possible, to prevent harm to the workers by
providing safety equipment.

Often questions from the employers
to suppliers relate to the most appropriate type of PPE to overcome the
hazard. The supplier is only able to advise on the information provided
and without access to the risk assessment this can be limited. It should
also be remembered, as Georgina’s article states, the array of situations is so
vast it is very difficult to give a definitive answer without extensive
investigation.

Since the responsibility for
selection rests with the employer, all proposals of appropriate PPE must be
considered against the risk assessment and the employer’s knowledge of the
hazard. It is unlikely that a specialist in a particular product type or
service will cover all the other aspects of the situation known only to the
employer, hence the responsibility on the employer to make the choice.

In order to make this selection
process simpler, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) introduced the
Registered Safety Supplier Scheme (RSSS) in 2009. Suppliers who are a
member of this scheme will have been audited to confirm that the business
complies with the strict requirements of the scheme and that the products they
supply are compliant with regulations, are legal and genuine. Companies
who participate in this scheme are easily identified as they display the
Scheme’s shield with pride. This scheme gives buyers peace of mind that
they are working with reputable and trustworthy companies

It is also important to note that the
industry is not based on highly incentivised earnings. This is to avoid safety
representatives being driven to ‘push’ either quantities or the most rewarding
products. We know that employer protection is the most fundamental requirement
and this is the key driver. Repeat business and maintaining customers so that
they continue to keep their workforce healthy and safe is much better business.

To avoid getting stung we advise
using protection, don’t shoot the messenger for that.

David Lummis, CEO

British Safety Industry
Federation