The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and the Reflective Equipment Manufacturers Association (REMA) have joined forces to help combat illegal personal protective equipment (PPE) entering the UK market place.
Over the past few years both organisations have become increasingly concerned regarding the quantity of PPE (high visibility garments being a major problem) being purchased and issued for occupational use that does not comply with appropriate EN standards and the PPE Regulations 2002.
Unfortunately this serious problem is twofold; some products and garments do not purport to meet the requirements of the Regulations but are nevertheless purchased in the mistaken belief that they are acceptable and secondly they are sold as complying with the Regulations when they do not.
This mutual problem has been the catalyst for an ongoing joint campaign between both parties. Whilst there may not be a ‘quick fix’ to the problem, both the BSIF and REMA agreed that this situation is unacceptable, they are therefore combining their efforts and resources in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers posed by sub-standard products with as many specifying and purchasing organisations and individuals as possible.
Both the BSIF and REMA will undertake a number of cooperative activities in the UK, including producing educational material for both the trading standards and the Health and Safety Executive, giving presentations to various interest groups, together with a number of PR and marketing initiatives.
David Lummis, Chief Executive Officer of the BSIF comments: “Unfortunately illegal PPE is continuing to be an unwelcome visitor in the workplace. Over recent years, a plethora of items have entered the market place, from gloves to high visibility vests, which have been produced using sub standard materials.
“Often these products are finished to a standard such that, to the untrained eye, it is difficult, if not impossible, to identify that they are fake.
“The BSIF is therefore delighted to have joined forces with REMA; this collaborative campaign will help further educate end users regarding the risks of illegal PPE and encourage organisations to be vigilant when purchasing and using PPE. The size of the problem is something that cannot be fixed overnight but by continuing to highlight the problem and its remedies, it is another step in the right direction.”
Additionally, REMA has produced guidance to purchasers of high visibility garments both for professional and non-professional use; these are downloadable from the publications section of REMA website.
