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AUGUST 2013 PRO INSTALLER
PRO BUSINESS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
TIME TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH
MILLIONS of workers across all industries are risking their long-term health by wearing respiratory masks that are not fit for purpose according to a warning from workplace equipment supplier Slingsby.
Common occupational related respiratory problems include asthma, pneumoconiosis and silicosis. Plus growing numbers of asbestos related illnesses are being diagnosed every year and the HSE expects deaths from mesothelioma, which is a common cancer caused by asbestos, to continue rising in the coming years.
By law an employer must carry out a comprehensive risk assessment of any hazardous work environments and provide respiratory protection for anyone who is exposed to dust, mist, fumes, vapours, gas or environments where oxygen levels could be higher or lower than normal. Lee Wright, Marketing Director at Slingsby, explains: “Respiratory problems are still a major problem across lots of industries. Even today there are huge numbers of workers still exposed to all kinds of cancer causing substances such as silica, diesel exhaust fumes and chemicals. Asbestos is also a major danger and even though it was banned in 1999 it is still found in millions of buildings.”
‘they can vary greatly’
Lee adds: “Employees very rarely check that the masks they wear offer sufficient protection against the hazards they’re exposed to and this is putting their long term health at risk. Although dispos-
able masks often look very similar they can vary greatly and offer very different levels of protection. “There are three main classifications that offer low, medium and high filtering and different categories depending on individual hazards which can include brick dust, concrete, ferros metal fumes, fibreglass, lead fumes,
MDF, mineral fibres, plaster, rockwool, sandstone, silica, welding as well as soft and hard wood. With so much variation it’s vital that both employees and employers double-check they’re using the right masks for the job they’re doing.”
www.slingsby.com
Green Deal backed by industry experts
The companies have been vocal in their support for the policy and offered advice to householders and tradesmen in the potential energy and financial savings that can be made under the policy.
More than 40,000 energy saving assessments have been performed as part of the Green Deal policy since it was launched in October 2012 by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). However, there is still a long way to go for the Green Deal to facilitate its target of 14 million homes being accredited by 2020. Thomas Farquhar, marketing manager at Easy Green Deal said making more homes in the UK comply with the Green Deal was a long term aim and that the market for it could yet grow exponentially. Farquhar was keen to stress that
WHAT YOU WEAR MATTERS
What you wear in the workplace really does matter - more than three quarters (76%) of HR directors believe that an employees’ style of dress at work influences their chance of promotion, according to new research* undertaken by recruitment specialist OfficeTeam. However, this figure rises to 88% for medium-sized companies.
With the warmer summer months upon us, dress-code flexibility becomes more desired.
However, it is crucial to retain a professional appearance at all times, especially if you are looking to move up the corporate ladder. Indeed, more than four in 10 (44%) HR directors think employees wear inappropriate or unusual clothing to work ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ often. Interestingly, employees in London and the South East are more likely to wear unusual or inappropriate clothing to work, according to 62% of HR directors. The importance of workplace attire is viewed differently on a regional basis, with nearly nine in 10 (89%) HR directors in the South West and Wales stating that work place attire influences an employee’s chance of promotion. However, this figure decreases to 73% for the North and Scotland, followed by the Midlands (72%) and London and the South East (71%). Rachel Stockell, Senior Manager, OfficeTeam said: “In an ideal world, employees would be judged primarily on the merit
The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) and Easy Green Deal have both urged industry to hold faith in the Green Deal.
that 46% of properties in England currently have a band D EPC rating, these statistics from DECC really do speak volumes about the potential of the Green Deal, the overwhelming
‘our research shows, what you wear can have an effect on your chances of promotion’
of their work. However, as our research shows, what you wear can have an effect on your chances of promotion and so it is important to dress the part.” *The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 200 HR directors across the UK.
‘More than 40,000 energy saving assessments have been performed as part of the Green Deal policy’
if more tradesmen took the steps to get Green Deal certified, it could lead to more awareness among customers as well as potentially improved profits for certified tradesmen.” NAPIT director of standards, David Cowburn concluded: “Considering number of properties that need to make energy efficiency improvements, and the potential for thousands to benefit financially too.”
Source: Solar Power Portal