In 2024 the BSIF launched the PPE Helpline as part of the development of a new pilot scheme designed to integrate Health & Safety Professionals, Duty Holders and safety stakeholders into the Federation through membership.
The BSIF PPE Helpline is administered by PPE & Safety experts ready to assist with any questions relating to a variety of areas including product queries, standards information and help in understanding compliance of different products.
The Helpline has been set up to reduce the complexities of PPE & Safety Products and to become the ’Go To’ for information not always easily obtainable in the market place, this includes, but not limited to, the following;
• PPE Regulation 2016/425
• Respiratory face fit testing
• PPE EN standards
• Product/documentation compliance checking
• Height Safety
• Non-compliance reporting
• Membership enquiries/help
The Helpline has so far proven to be a valuable asset to those that have taken advantage as part of their BSIF membership, a variety of questions have been asked and answered and some examples are set out below:
Case 1
An employer was looking for recommendations on Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) for entering a small room containing a diesel generator where diesel exhaust products were present. The advice given was that the CO hazard may result in an oxygen deficient atmosphere and the room may also be considered as a confined space. Additionally, the inability of filtered RPE to filter out carbon monoxide would require an independent air supply, such as a SCBA. The costs of a BA RPE and confined space entry programme for the situation would be high, and it was advised that the hazard could be removed by engineering controls including external exhaust venting and ventilation of the room. The first consideration should always be to remove a hazard.
Case 2
A consultant responding to a contract tender noted that the contract was calling for footwear categorized to the old standard for slip resistance and to HSL grip level 5, but the footwear suppliers currently only had footwear models categorised to the latest standard. The HSL Grip scheme was withdrawn with the publication of EN ISO 20345:2022, so anything that passes the mandatory slip resistance test marked ‘SR’ to the new standard, with a Type Examination Certification to EN ISO 20345:2022 or EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024, will meet the requirements of this tender. There is a transition period where certificates can still be issued to both old and new standards, so the tendering organisation needed to be made aware of the change.
Case 3
A company implementing a compulsory hearing protection programme had identified a suitable ear plug for the level of the hazard. There was however one individual who suffered from frequent ear infections and needed an over the ear solution. They highlighted the issue that the solution needed to be compatible with other PPE. They were directed to Registered Safety Suppliers that provided combined PPE solutions for their requirements that were certified as compatible.
The three cases above illustrate the value of the PPE Helpline, this type of information is not always easily available but through the helpline it is! If you have questions or need guidance on anything PPE or safety product related then please contact the PPE Helpline with your question:
ppehelpline@bsif.co.uk