In order to ensure the continued safety of operatives and maintenance personnel who have to access roof areas, it is a legal requirement that the roof safety systems are inspected regularly and re-certified annually.

SAFETYWORKS & Solutions personnel are fully trained to undertake inspections, testing, and re-certification, and if so required, can supply and install replacement systems.

To discuss your roof safety systems annual inspection requirements, please contact SAFETYWORKS & Solutions on 01487 841400, email beth@safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk or visit www.safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk

Skyguard International creates instant back-up across 36 countries
Emergency response specialist Skyguard has today launched the first-ever personal emergency service for British travellers and lone workers abroad.

Skyguard International (www.skyguardgroup.com) gives travellers the power to summon help at the press of a button if they find themselves in trouble overseas. Initially the service is live across 34 European countries, the Russian Federation and South Africa.

The launch comes hot on the heels of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s British Behaviour Abroad report, which revealed 19,228 Brits have needed assistance overseas during the past 12 months, with Spain producing the most incidents.

Travellers can activate the emergency Skyguard International service using a key-fob sized device called MySOS. The MySOS is the smallest GPS alarm of its kind in the UK, and can be discreetly attached to keys, a belt or worn on a lanyard. Skyguard’s service also runs as an app on a BlackBerry, with the handset’s convenience side key acting as the alarm button.

Alarms containing the user’s location and identity go directly to Skyguard’s Incident Management Centre in the UK, where trained controllers can listen in, talk if it’s safe to do so and co-ordinate a timely response by summoning the national emergency services of the country in question, and contacting the victim’s relatives or employers. Skyguard customers can provide detailed personal information through an online portal, such as medical conditions, medications taken and even a photo, which can be passed to the emergency services, often proving live-saving.

Skyguard, which launched in 2000, already offers a similar service nationally in the UK, used by thousands of individuals and companies, and more than half of the UK’s police forces to protect the most vulnerable in society.

Said James Murray, chief executive of Skyguard: “We believe we’ve created the ultimate peace of mind solution for travellers.

“I travel frequently, often with my family, to countries where I’m not familiar with the language or destination. I wondered what I would do if we ended up in a difficult situation that required immediate emergency assistance. That’s why we developed Skyguard International – to give travellers peace of mind, knowing their location is exactly pinpointed and they can communicate immediately in English.

“After years of successfully managing hundreds of life-threatening situations affecting individuals at risk in the UK, we’re excited to be the first company in the world to offer an overseas service with this level of coverage. Initially we’ve got nearly all of Europe covered, together with Russia and South Africa, and we look forward to adding further countries in the months ahead.

“When we receive an alarm we can immediately locate the person using advanced GPS technology and can then quickly assess their needs. Our trained staff can communicate with the individual via their device or Blackberry, or not make direct contact if the situation so dictates.

“We can alert local police, paramedics or fire units to be with our customers as soon as possible.”

Skyguard International is available to existing Skyguard customers as an additional service.

“The service also works across borders so travellers will have back-up and cover every step of their journey,” added Murray.

Skyguard International is available from £24.95 (ex.VAT) per month*. To find out more visit  www.skyguardgroup.com

Designed with the safety of the user in mind, this travelling exhibition also provides details on equipment hire and rental, the Draeger Training Academy and maintenance and calibration services.

Bookings can be made by calling 01670 561 200 or email marketing.uk@draeger.com

For further information contact Customer Service, Draeger Safety UK Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RG.  Tel: 01670 561200, fax: 01670 356266, www.draeger.com.

The new unit includes 40,000 sq ft of production space, office accommodation and training facilities. Production of Tank Showers and the Company’s Premium Range of Unheated Showers is now centred on the site together with Fabrication, Stores, Dispatch and Service. Research, development and engineering service, together with the manufacture of other products including Decontamination Equipment and rapid deployment Emergency Shelters remains at the original factory.

The increase in production facilities coincides with a major re-organisation of manufacturing and assembly to improve productivity and efficiency leading to shorter lead times from receipt of order to dispatch. Tank Showers, for example, are now built on a production line and move through separate dedicated assembly zones. A Just-in-Time strategy from stores to factory floor ensures the efficient delivery of stock materials and components to the manufacturing and assembly areas. At the heart of production management is a computer system that links all aspects of the manufacturing process from receipt of raw materials to dispatch of finished products. It provides more effective control and better co-ordination of resources.

“We were bursting at the seams in the old factory.” says Managing Director Tony Hughes. “Sales have grown enormously over the years, especially exports. The extra space was essential but to sustain this growth we have to be even more competitive and that means some fundamental changes in the way we run our business. We still have a bit to do but are already seeing the benefits. At the end of the day, it is our aim to supply the safest Safety Showers in the world, both at very competitive prices and on time! “

Hughes Safety Showers, together with its German subsidiary Hughes Notduschen, will be showing a wide range of Emergency Showers and Eyebath/facewash units at A+A 2011.

The stand will include a range of products with DVGW certification. This confirms that they fully meet the new DIN EN -15154 (part 1 and 2) Standard. Hughes has more than 25 certified showers and eyebath/facewash units and is currently one of the only suppliers offering such a wide choice of DVGW approved units.

Hughes Safety Showers is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of emergency safety showers and eyewash equipment. It offers the largest range from any supplier including models designed for indoor and outdoor use in hot and cold climates.

The company currently exports to more than 130 countries and supplies Emergency Safety Showers to global engineering contractors for use in major projects around the world.

Hughes Safety Showers is at the forefront of technical developments. The results of a recent project to develop an advanced control valve for emergency showers will also feature on the stand. Suitable for use on all makes of shower, the new valve outperformed every competitive valve in recent tests.

High flying Redditch business wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2011

A quadrupling of export earnings over six years has led to Redditch-based Uniline Safety Systems today (21st April) being granted a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Uniline, which designs and manufactures fall protection and rescue equipment for people working at height, has a strong customer base in the UK but it is its extraordinary growth in its markets in North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and China, which caught the eye of the Queen’s Awards Office.

The young business also recently grabbed the attention of major competitor Capital Safety Group who decided at the end of last year that, if they couldn’t beat Uniline, they should acquire them to really steal a march on the global market.

Simon Luke Managing Director, who founded Uniline Safety Systems in 2000, praised his team, “The global and domestic markets have been very tough and, you could argue, we have achieved our growth against the odds. But our secret weapon is our workforce.

“We have brilliant people working here in Redditch with some really inspirational designers and a business development team who have given their all to help build the business. I’d like to congratulate all of the Uniline staff on everything they’ve achieved”

Uniline have utilised their considerable experience in engineered fall protection risk control to win favour and project installation contracts with international architects, building custodians, risk managers and constructors on recent prestigious projects such as the Zayed University (Abu Dhabi), Gamesa Wind Turbines (Worldwide) Dubai Business Village, Alliander, Dutch Airforce (Netherlands), Sacramento Airport, (USA), Durban World Cup Stadium, and others across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Australia.

Serving general industry, oil and gas (upstream and downstream), fire and rescue and the water industry, this convenient website has both quick and extended search facilities and also allows visitors to browse via extensive industrial application and product catalogues.  By using Draeger’s deep knowledge and understanding of the safety issues and risks that are faced every day, the site can also assist with product selection for those industries.  When searching via industry sector, for instance, visitors are automatically directed to the most appropriate products for their working environment.  Product catalogues are quick and easy to access and, for those who require further assistance or information, the site contains convenient product-specific enquiry forms and direct email links as well as telephone, fax and instant message “chat” facilities.

Fully committed to customer care and support, Draeger’s move into eCommerce means that customers can now source Draeger products, services and “know-how” at a time convenient to themselves.  Quick and reliable, the new Webshop complements Draeger’s extensive team of UK sales and technical support personnel.

Existing Draeger account customers can access the site straight away and registration for new customers is quick and straightforward.  For more information visit www.draegershop.co.uk or email enquiries.shop.st.uk@draeger.com

For further information contact Customer Service, Draeger Safety UK Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RG.  Tel: 01670 561200, fax: 01670 356266, www.draeger.com.

Draeger Safety is proud to have passed a formal evaluation of its Polytron 7000 Oxygen and Toxic Gas Detector by the British Nuclear Industry Smart Instruments Working Group.  The evaluation included quality control and assurance, proven in-use data of the instrument and production methods for both the hardware and software elements of the transmitter.

The Draeger Polytron 7000, with self-diagnostic functions that ensure that no failures go unreported or are missed, has been classified as suitable for use as a SIL 1 (Safety Integrity Level) instrument under IEC61508, Electric Electrical and Programmable Electronic Equipment used in Safety Systems.

Adding Value with Draeger

As even more emphasis is being placed on the need to maintain safety whilst still saving time and money, lifetime ownership costs have become a crucial element in the selection process.  Thanks to advanced technology which has lowered maintenance and calibration requirements, both costs and system downtime can now be significantly reduced.

Combining reliability with cost effective operation, the modular Draeger  Polytron 7000 is a prime example of how Draeger systems can bring added value and peace of mind to nuclear applications.  With enhanced flexibility it also offers ease of use, reduced maintenance and minimal system downtime to any application requiring intrinsically safe gas detection.

Pre-calibrated for easy operation, the Draeger range of electrochemical sensors incorporate “plug-and-play” technology.  The sensor is simply plugged in and the detector is ready to use with no further intervention from the operator.  Replacing a sensor is equally easy and, because of their large size and accuracy, the sensors offer a very long life, with calibration intervals of up to one year to further enhance the cost reducing benefits.

Draeger Fire and Gas Detection Systems offers products, services and system solutions for all encompassing toxic, flammable and oxygen detection, flame detection and design, build, commission and maintenance of fire and gas detection systems for protection of personnel and assets.

Further information is available from Customer Services, Draeger Safety UK Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RG.  Tel: 01670 561413.  Fax: 01670 544475.

Email: gds@draeger.com, or visit www.draeger.com

Tuff Spun Deck is a hard-wearing, anti-fatigue matting which combines a closed cell PVC foam base with heavy duty wear layer top surface. The embossed vinyl checker plate wear layer surface provides added traction as well as being abrasion and puncture resistant.  A benefit of Tuff Spun Deck is that it’s manufactured in one single composition with different colours to the wear layer and underside. This means that not only is it bonded perfectly but also has the added advantage of being more competitively priced than traditional mattings manufactured from dual materials.  It is ideal as a durable, slip resistant surface in areas where workers spend extended periods of time standing.

The black 91cm wide matting  is available in18m long rolls and in the three module sizes of 60 x 91cm, 150 x 91cm and 300 x 91cm. Both rolls and modules are supplied with bevelled edges as standard to reduce tripping.

Samples, information and performance Certificates are readily available from Plastic Extruders Ltd (tel 01268 571116) or visit www.plastexmatting.com