BSIF Associate Anchor Safety Calls for Greater Diligence When Sourcing PPE
(PRWEB UK) 22 December 2015 -- Patrick Tydeman, Sales Director of Anchor Safety comments, "Our clients rely on us for the best advice regarding the latest innovations in PPE supplies as well as keeping them abreast of regulatory standards. These standards are complex and numerous, based on a number of factors. We strongly advise those seeking to purchase PPE to do so from a reputable, PPE supplier who is committed to only supplying regulated compliant products."
Anchor Safety's message echoes the call from BSIF, Chief Executive Officer, Alan Murray, "This example yet again confirms the need for PPE users to source product from capable suppliers." Any company looking to buy PPE should do so from, knowledgeable suppliers and not unknowingly take risks to cut costs which can not only result in significant fines, but put employees at risk.
The ease of buying PPE has increased tenfold with the growth of e-commerce as well as more organisations adding items such as hi-vis to their retail offerings. This greatly increases the associated risks of sourcing PPE from vendors who simply are not aware of health and safety standards and regulations. This increase correlates with the number of counterfeit PPE products that are arriving on the market.
"It has been said that many customers are opting for the cheapest and in many cases sub-standard PPE supplies, without realising they are purchasing items that do not meet regulatory standards. This should not be the case and more needs to be done to highlight the importance of buying PPE from experienced competent suppliers," comments Tydeman.
One area in which these providers are significantly weaker is in terms of the services that they offer and the accreditations that they possess. As a result the BSIF is determined to raise awareness of this problem. The BSIF operates the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme in which members formally commit within their quality systems to supply only Personal Protective Equipment which is fully compliant and approved to the relevant CE standard.
Making the effort to confirm with a PPE provider that they are indeed aware of the latest standards will ensure that your team and your organisation are protected against any potential risks relating to due diligence.
You can easily find these quality traits by looking for certifications and standards associated with both products and providers. For example, when purchasing hi-visibility products look for the new EN ISO 20471 standard that should be clearly labelled.
Patrick concludes, "Today’s EN ISO 20471 standard raises the awareness of supplying genuinely approved high-visibility clothing to improve the safety of people employed in high-risk environments.
Anchor Safety advise checking for the latest standards on products and providers before committing to any purchases or contract, ensuring that they are clearly labelled with reputable marks of approval.
Kim Moore, Anchor Safety, http://www.anchorsafety.co.uk, +44 800 328 5028, [email protected]
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