For the supply of all your ‘safety at height and access’ requirements please telephone SAFETYWORKS & Solutions on 01487 841400, email info@safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk or visit www.safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk

Crowcon will also be showing a number of other new gas detection products, including an un-powered gas test unit for the Tetra 3 portable gas detector, which utilises the functionality of the Tetra 3 to carry out a simple and fast gas test in a matter of minutes.

In addition, the IRmax infrared (IR) flammable gas detector will be on display. Unlike conventional IR gas detectors, IRmax does not use heaters to prevent condensation on windows and mirrors. Instead, its optical components are treated with a highly durable hydrophobic coating called STAY-CLIR that completely prevents signal faults due to condensation. The IRmax is also available with the HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) Communication Protocol, a global standard for sending and receiving digital information across analog wires between smart devices and control or monitoring systems

All these new products, as well as Crowcon’s existing range of state-of-the-art gas detection products, can be found in Hall 1, stand number F80. Crowcon’s experts will also be on hand to answer any gas-safety related questions.

About Crowcon

Crowcon, a subsidiary of Halma p.l.c. is a world leader in portable and fixed gas detection instruments. The company is based in the UK and has branch offices in the Netherlands, the USA, Singapore and China. It specialises in developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, reliable and cost-effective flammable and toxic gas detection equipment and has constantly led the field with products designed for safety and environmental monitoring.

Corporate teams from across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire will have just 6 hours to visit as many Wildlife Trust nature reserves as they can – in fancy dress!  Saturday 22nd September 2012 is Reserve It! day where corporate teams will be using their skills in planning, decision making and leadership along with their Skyguard tracking devices to travel around the counties visiting as many nature reserves as possible.

Teams will need to decide the best route to take to gain as many points as possible with different reserves being worth different points.  Skyguard is supporting this team event by providing the Wildlife Trust with key fob sized GPS tracking devices for each team to monitor their progress through the day.

Teams will be given extra points for using innovative transport and the best fancy dress.  In the lead up to the event teams will also be challenged to raise £1000 to help the Wildlife Trust with the conservation work needed to keep these reserves in good condition for our wildlife and local communities.

“We are delighted that Skyguard have chosen to support this innovative new event.  We normally use Skyguard devices to monitor our lone working staff on remote nature reserves so it’s great to be using them for something a bit more fun that is helping to raise money to keep those nature reserves in tip top condition” – Caroline Prout, Corporate Partnerships Manager from the Wildlife Trust

Will Murray, Skyguard’s Marketing Director added, “Skyguard are thrilled to be able to support The Wildlife Trust’s novel event with our MySOS devices, and wish them every success in raising funds for such a worthy cause.”

If you think your company has a team worthy of winning the Wildlife Trust Reserve It! Challenge Cup get in touch at reserveit@wildlifebcn.org or contact Caroline Prout on 01954 713 549.

• save time and money by getting it right first time
• improve staff wellbeing, comfort and productivity
• conform to all necessary standards
• minimise health and safety risks
• select cost-effective equipment which is safe and comfortable to use.

Ten tips for great procurement

So how do you make sure you make the right procurement decisions?  Here are our top tips:

1. Agree a budget at the start, and stick to it.
2. Involve an independent ergonomist early in the procurement process.
3. Involve the end-users and get their feedback, including mock-ups and trials if possible.
4. Decide on your preferred suppliers.
5. Contact suppliers early in the process and explain your requirements in detail.
6. Allow enough time for suppliers to respond to queries.
7. Make sure you see examples of products you wish to approve.
8. Don’t be tempted by products you don’t need, or those that are unsuitable.
9. Be consistent about what you want.

10. Be flexible with details such as surface finishes and upholstery.

What do the ergonomists do?

First, we understand and agree the client’s requirements and their goals.  We talk to key stakeholders and users to understand how, when and where the equipment will be used and identify specific requirements.

As the project develops, we use ergonomics standards, anthropometric databases and our experience of ergonomics best practice to:

• develop procurement templates for specific equipment types
• evaluate responses from manufacturers
• visit showrooms and assess products
• choose an inclusive range of products.

Who can benefit from this service?

Companies in all sectors can benefit from involving an ergonomist in their procurement.  We have worked with retail banks, financial institutions, hospitals and most recently a global energy and petrochemicals company to evaluate over 400 products for their global offices.

You can read detailed case studies of some of our ergonomics procurement projects here.

Can we help you?

Our consultants have experience in advising on the use of all types of furniture, display screen equipment, portable work equipment and specialised work tools in many different work environments, from typical offices to trading desks and control rooms.

We are involved in the development of international standards for ergonomics that support a user-focused approach to the design of equipment and software, giving us a unique perspective in interpreting standards for procurement projects.

Most importantly, our advice is independent – we have no links to any manufacturers.

There is more information about procurement ergonomics on our website, or for an initial chat about how we could help please contact charlie@system-concepts.com, or call us on 0207 240 3388.

Are you compliant?

ACT is proud to announce that we are re-launching our Compliance Manager – Auditor web-based software which provides an efficient way to ensure compliance throughout your organisation.

This updated 2012 edition includes many new features including a more user friendly interface for easier navigation.

Successful businesses establish management controls and take a structured approach to conformity measurement.  With this in mind ACT have developed an auditing software package; designed to hold compliance criteria along with the required specification (guidance) to enable you to build a powerful database to manage any audit initiative.

Trial option available for only £49 + VAT for 3 months

For further information and to request a demo please click here http://www.actassociates.co.uk/products.asp?CategoryID=2581

Key features include:

• Role assignment
• Responsibility and accountability trail
• Simplified analysis
• Remote auditing
• Tailorable checklists

Available checklists:

• Audit 123 – Based on HSG65,                            available in Levels 1 and 2
• Health and Safety BS OHSAS 18001
• Environmental ISO 14001

Quality ISO 9001

We will be demonstrating the software at the Safety & Health Expo 2012 – please come and visit us on stand B31.

Call today on +44 (0)1384 447915

or email       actsales@actassociates.co.uk

www.actassociates.co.uk

Embracing the international theme of the event, Skyguard has announced it will showcase the world’s first and only international emergency response service at IFSEC International 2012, held at Birmingham’s NEC in May.

Skyguard’s International service gives Lone Workers the power to summon help at the touch of a button if they find themselves in trouble overseas. The service currently covers 36 countries across Europe, the Russian Federation and South Africa.

Travellers can activate the emergency service using a key-fob sized device developed by Skyguard, called MySOS. The MySOS is Europe’s smallest and lightest GPS safety alarm, and can be discreetly attached to keys, a belt, worn on a lanyard, or as an ID badge holder. 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, 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 proud to be the first company in the world to offer an overseas service with this level of coverage. “

Skyguard will be a key exhibitor in IFSEC International’s all-new ‘Lone Worker Protection Product Area’ and presenting a seminar at the Lone Worker Education Theatre. Throughout the course of the show, visitors will be able see demonstrations on Skyguard’s range of Lone Worker solutions, at stand F30 in Hall 3A.

Exciting News!

A recent development at OSTAS is the acquisition of The Key Consultancy, located in Bromsgrove. As a combined force we are now able to offer a broader range of services including environmental auditing and training.  Please visit our website at www.thekeyconsultancy.co.uk

Our client base includes international and national organisations, national and local Government Departments, together with an extensive range of small and medium size businesses.

The company provides a complete range of health and safety training courses.  In addition OSTAS offers a health and safety consultancy, technical support service and an extensive auditing programme.  Notable clients include the Health & Safety Executive, Network Rail, National Trust, e-on, Toyota, Heineken and Arqiva.

We also offer safety courses within the materials handling field and operate from our all-weather training centre in Digbeth, Birmingham or on clients’ premises (RTITB and ITSSAR accredited) to suit requirements.

As an ISO 9001:2008 registered company, it naturally follows that all training and services provided are carried out to the highest standard by qualified and experienced consultants.  In addition OSTAS are accredited to ISO 14001 Environment and OSHAS 18001 Health & Safety Standards.

Recognising the need for flexibility, OSTAS is able to custom design its services according to each clients unique requirements, which enables companies to benefit from the specialist resources available.  Please visit our website at www.ostas.co.uk.

Peter Silk, formerly a technical advisor to Firebuy and Assistant Divisional Officer with the London Fire Brigade (LFB), has joined Draeger Safety as Manager of its new Southern Safety Centre.  He joins a team of industrial experts focused on delivering high quality solutions to customer problems as a result of in-depth knowledge of different industrial applications.

He comments, “I am pleased to be given the opportunity to be part of the Draeger team and to contribute to the company’s continuing success.  I see this as a fantastic opportunity for me to use the skills and knowledge that I have gained in my previous roles to develop and grow the Southern Safety Centre.  By establishing this Centre, Draeger is reinforcing its commitment to its customers by offering specialist aftercare and service from experienced professionals.”

Based in Redhill, his first task is to establish the premises and services that will operate from the Centre.  Aimed at all areas of industry across the South of England, these will include training, maintenance, servicing and the sale and rental of Draeger respiratory protection, personal escape and gas detection equipment.  As well as managing the Centre, he will also be representing Draeger in various regulatory bodies and will be actively involved in a number of fire and rescue service organisations as well as similar customer groups throughout industry.

With 4 years experience in the specification and evaluation of firefighting equipment in line with the Firebuy framework, Silk also spent five years with HM Fire Service Inspectorate where he was involved with product development and technical issues relating to all forms of operational fire and rescue service equipment including appliances, PPE and RPE.

Previously with the London Fire Brigade where he began as a firefighter before becoming Station Commander at various stations and Assistant Divisional Officer, he has also had experience of running the BA Workshops and Service Centre as part of the LFB Protective Equipment Group.

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.