Personal Protection Equipment

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    The UK Hearing Conservation Association: how we work to promote the protection of the nation’s hearing health

    The UK Hearing Conservation Association is a multi-disciplinary association that strives to prevent damage to the nation’s hearing health and other noise-related health conditions through a combination of practical, evidenced and cost-effective campaigns, awareness-raising activities and best-practice advice. It is therefore a great forum for those wishing to keep abreast of the latest developments around hearing health – both in the workplace and in recreational settings.

    By Leah Philpott, member, UKHCA At Work Group  on 14 March 2025

    Woman Wearing PPE Mask Draeger Safety UK

    RPE: the significance of inclusivity in respiratory protection

    Problems with the fit of some disposal filtering facepiece respirators across the variety of face shapes and facial features found in the workforce, means those who fall outside of the standard facial dimensions may not be getting full protection from respiratory risks. This has prompted one leading RPE manufacturer to develop a new design that provides a good fit for a wider range of different face shapes and sizes, keeping more people safe in the workplace.

    By Ian Kelsall, Draeger Safety UK on 05 September 2024

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    Railway worker safety: the vital role of slip-resistant footwear

    Workers in the rail industry can be at particular risk of slips, trips and falls due to the diverse nature of the tasks and working environments, but the likelihood of injury can be reduced through the careful selection and provision of suitable slip-resistant footwear.

    By Simon Ash, HAIX on 29 July 2024

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    Why we need to harness new technology to prevent noise-induced hearing loss

    It is 50 years this year since I started an engineering apprenticeship with Black Country-based GKN Sankey, to be told upon walking into a very noisy high-speed blanking and piercing shop (with power presses running at 400 blows per minute), “don’t worry son, you’ll get used to it”.

    By Neal Hill, consultant and member of UKHCA on 11 March 2024

    Minuendo Hard Hats

    Why personalised noise monitoring is critical for preventing noise-induced hearing loss

    Intelligent hearing protection technology is now available that provides personalised data about an individual’s noise exposure, making it easier to both spot workers at greatest risk of hearing damage and identify ways of reducing noise exposure.

    By Neal Muggleton, Minuendo on 11 March 2024

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    Preventing hearing damage and cutting costs: practical noise control is key

    Employers often wrongly assume that noise control techniques for machinery are both costly and impractical. In fact, simple, very low-cost engineering modifications that anyone can implement are often all that are required – and they may even be self-financing.

    By Peter Wilson, Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre (INVC) on 14 March 2024

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    How smart hearing protection is driving reductions in noise exposure at work

    Smart hearing protection technology can provide feedback to workers on harmful noise levels and identify noise sources overlooked by conventional workplace risk assessments, as shown by recent research on the HS2 railway construction project.

    By Dr David Greenberg, Eave on 06 March 2024

    Nail in Shoe

    Running into problems with safety footwear

    Tests show a significant amount of safety footwear on the UK market does not perform as advertised, potentially putting workers at risk of serious injury, but there is a quick way to check the products you purchase meet the required standard.

    By Alan Murray, BSIF on 20 February 2024

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    Purchasing PPE: why sustainability data is becoming crucial

    With businesses increasingly keen to minimise their carbon footprint by selecting materials and products with the lowest carbon emissions, PPE specialist uvex has started offering data on the amount of greenhouse gases its products generate.

    By Verena Keller, uvex on 09 February 2024

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    Try the shout test to protect workers’ hearing

    Bosses who have to shout at work to get heard may not actually be angry, HSE scientists have said. Instead, they may have a noise problem in their workplace.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 02 November 2023

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