SAFETY PRODUCTS & PPE : SAFETY SQUARED
arresters , and therefore cannot be relied upon to provide a presumption of conformity in order for a product to demonstrate compliance with the PPE Regulations ( 2002 ). Thirty-nine recommendations are made in regard to the findings of this research , including proposals for new test specifications and further research work . A considerable number refer to serious safety issues which warrant urgent attention .”
• Research Report RR791 - Development of new fallarrest test methods
“ This report has not been released by HSE as yet , although part of it has been disclosed to the European standards-writing committee responsible for the revision of EN 353-1 .
“ Previous HSE fall-arrest research projects recorded a large number of serious test failures . These test failures could have resulted in fatalities or very serious injuries in a real life situation and are directly related to safetycritical omissions in harmonised European standards . This situation created the need for more comprehensive test methods and criteria . Five main areas were identified from the recommendations made in the research reports , and were used as the basis to generate new fall-arrest test methods and criteria . These new test methods and criteria are documented as stand-alone documents in Annexes A-E .”
• Project JN4647 - Preliminary evaluation of the pedestrianised Hybrid III anthropomorphic dummy for fall-arrest test purposes . Publishing pending
“ New work was commissioned to modify and evaluate an existing automotive Hybrid III anthropomorphic test dummy ( ATD ) in order to determine its suitability for use in fall-arrest testing , and to generate a specification that would facilitate the manufacture and increase the availability of test dummies for use within the fall protection industry . During the main test programme it was found that the ATD was not performing as expected . Further modifications were identified as being necessary but as additional funding could not be procured , the project was suspended at this point . Consequently , it was not possible to generate a new ATD specification , which was one of the aims of the project , but the work has been sufficiently documented and the equipment stored to the extent that work could easily be recommenced .”
CONCLUSION
Safety Squared has a unique knowledge and expertise which has been shaped by design , research and testing experience over a period of 28 years , and from which a large spectrum of industries and organisations have benefitted .
Q Thank you for the information and insight you have provided . What would you say to any prospective clients reading this article ?
“ At Safety Squared , we know what we are talking about ! Many times we have been asked : “ What is the most important part of any height safety system ? Is it the anchor ? The harness ? Or the lifeline ?” As far as we are
“ As far as we are concerned , the most important part of any safety system is the person who has to use it ! The human being . We feel that the human aspect can often be ignored .”
concerned , the most important part of any safety system is the person who has to use it ! The human being . We feel that the human aspect can often be ignored .
“ As a fully independent consultancy , we offer impartial advice and assistance with any fall protection or safety at height related topic . Clients can receive this service in the knowledge that it has not been influenced by commercial pressures such as the need to sell products . We do not sell and are not involved in any way with the selling of products , nor do we receive any commission on those occasions where we recommend products .
“ We fully understand and appreciate that unprotected falls from a height can kill or permanently injure . Gravity is a difficult hazard to sense until you have fallen from your ledge , and by then , it is too late . Even a fall from as little as 3m ( 10ft ) means that you will travelling at nearly 20mph by the time you hit the ground . If you strike the ground head first , ( a fall is a omni-directional tumbling motion , not always “ feet-first ”), you have every possibility of being killed - especially if the surface is concrete . The statistics are there for everyone to see and are only surpassed in quantity by road traffic fatalities .
“ We were instructed to act at a recent fatal accident inquiry , where a person was killed after falling down inside a wind turbine . They were attached to a fall-arrest system that failed to operate . The probable cause was deficient test methods within a standard . The standards-writing authority was severely criticised . All the questions at the enquiry were answered , save one . The Mother of the deceased asked “ Why did my Son have to die ?” and no-one dared to answer her . The point that we want to make here is that safety at height is serious and we are serious about safety at height .
“ A number of senior managers / CEOs have appointed us to resolve their issues . They are confident that we always get to the bottom of the problem and can propose solutions which are cost-beneficial , effective and practical . More to the point , as some of them state , “ We want to be able to sleep peacefully at night , knowing that our workers are safe when working at height . Safety Squared ’ s advice and assistance gives us that assurance , and we know that things are being done right .
“ Safety Squared is the factor of safety in the fall protection equation .”
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HSE INTERNATIONAL