24
JUNE 2014 PRO INSTALLER
PRO NEWS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
A safe pair of
hands (and feet!)
We often take our hands and feet for granted as we use
them for so many day-to-day tasks so it is easy to get
complacent and not protect ourselves as well as we should.
Tradesmen and installers
make a living using our hands
and feet so it is vital that we
consider how to protect them
against potential hazards.
In this month’s column, I’ll
offer some advice that I hope
you’ll find handy (no pun
intended, honestly!)
Statistically, our hands are the
most often injured part of the body
and this is no surprise as we use
them so frequently in our daily
lives. Injuries can range from cuts,
abrasions, punctures and broken
bones caused by tools, to burns
and scalds caused by dangerous
chemicals. Before taking on any
job, it is essential to plan properly so that any potential hazards
are identified a long while before
starting.
Using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) is extremely
important and proper gloves are
the best way to protect your hands
against hazards. Depending on the
job you are carrying out, gloves
can be cotton, leather, cut-resistant
or chemical-resistant to defend
against the most likely dangers. I
always make sure I am wearing my
Blaklader gloves when working.
Incorrect or poorly serviced tools
are also potentially hazardous so
making sure you have the right
tools and they are in good working condition is essential. As an
employer, it is your responsibility
to ensure that staff receive proper
training and the number of injuries
caused by not using tools correctly
is extremely high.
‘I always make sure
I am wearing my
Blacklader gloves
when working’
Though injuries to your feet are
less common, it is still a good idea
to know some of the dangers that
are common. Some of the most
common injuries to your feet
include skin rashes, hammer toes,
postural deformities and general
aches and pains.
Your feet are often at risk from
falling objects and wearing safe
and supportive work boots with
an in-built toe-cap will protect
them. Sore feet are a sign that
something is not right so you
should check that your boots are
the proper size and are being
used for the correct job. Different
footwear is available depending on the type of job you are
undertaking. For example, lace-up
boots are useful to prevent ankle
injuries.
It may sound strange, but in my
experience, in warmer conditions
people become less concerned
about their own health and safety.
It may be that people are less
willing to wear the correct PPE,
but you are at risk at any time of
year so it is always important to
wear the correct equipment.
Craig Phillips is brand ambassador for Swedish workwear
brand, Blaklader. Visit the website here:
http://www.blaklader.com/gb/
Marske Window & Door Manufacturer To Expand Production
North-east window and door manufacturer H Jarvis Limited has announced plans to expand and increase production.
The firm, which is over
130 years old, has
purchased new machinery for its Marskeby-the-Sea production
facility, following a
tranche of funding
from Barclays.
David Glendinning, MD
of H Jarvis Ltd said: “We’ve
been craftsman-building and
installing quality PVC windows since the mid1990s
and now produce over 2000
units per week.
“The new machine will
enhance our rapid turna-
‘The funding has allowed us
to acquire the machinery
at a competitive price’
R: Steve Temple, employee at H Jarvis Limited,
MD Dave Glendinning, H Jarvis Ltd and Mike Wicks, Barclays.
round of orders and allow
us to increase production
and grow the business. The
funding has allowed us to
acquire the machinery at a
competitive price and also
provides us with flexibility
over the coming years.”
H Jarvis Limited employs
over 70 staff at the two sites
in Marske and Glasgow and
turnover this year is expected to reach £6 million.
Mike Wicks, senior business banking manager at
Barclays added: “H Jarvis
Limited is a long standing
customer and we’re delighted to be able to provide
funding for its growth.”