3M and Capita are winners at BSIF Safety Awards 2015

Product Innovation Award

The BSIF Product Innovation Award 2015 was presented to 3M for its Organic Gas and Vapour End of Service Life Indicator Filter which helps prevent workers from being exposed to certain harmful organic gases and vapours. The product, which is the first of its kind, is paving the way for improved occupational health by giving respirator wearers a clear warning of when they need to change their filters and prevent hazardous exposure.

Currently, some users change their filters only when they can detect contaminant odour, taste, or irritation inside the respirator, with the result that the harmful substance has already broken through. To combat this problem, 3M’s new innovation has utilised the company’s End of Service Life Indicator (ESLI) technology. The ESLI is located inside the filter next to the activated carbon. As organic vapours travel through the filter, they are also adsorbed into the ESLI. As this happens, the indicator changes colour, visually marking the course of the organic vapours through the filter. Dependant on the viewing angle, the user will either see a red bar on a green background, or vice-versa. Once the bar reaches the end-of-service line, the filter will need replacing.

The ESLI can be used as either a primary or secondary method of determining a filter change out schedule, depending upon the specific hazard and exposure level. It also enables health and safety managers to audit filter status in real-time for each individual user – which has not been possible until now.

Jenn Raymond, senior marketing executive at 3M, said: “We are delighted that the Organic Gas and Vapour End of Service Life Indicator Filters have been recognised at the BSIF Safety Awards. This is such a unique product, which will really make a difference to occupational health, so it is fantastic that this has been reinforced by the BSIF accolade.”

The 3M products are compatible with all 3M Half and Full-Face Masks, so they can be used in a wide variety of applications and industries.

The Miller H Design Harness by Honeywell and the Impact Glove by Arco were presented with Highly Commented Awards. Casella for its Airwave App and Risk Assessor for its Safety Apps were presented with Commended Awards in product innovation.

Customer Service Award winner

Capita Health Safety and Environmental Consultancy was awarded the BSIF Customer Service Award for 2015. With over 25 years’ experience in providing organisations with comprehensive, bespoke health and safety management solutions and a team of 50 highly qualified consultants, trainers and assessors, Capita offers cost-effective and protective solutions for the specific needs of its clients.

Capita was judged by its own clients with it scoring highly on all levels of service provision from administration and invoicing, day to day service delivery, account management, governance and service improvements.

Peter McGettrick, Director of Health and Safety at Capita, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. The award was very much a team effort so everyone deserves praise in equal measure.”

Two Highly Commended Awards were presented to Simon Safety Head Office and Simon Safety West Midlands branch and Arco East Midlands and The McOnie Agency was commended for its customer service.

The BSIF Safety Awards 2016 will open for submissions in April 2016 and members and non members are encouraged to enter.