Health and safety update
Upgrading our PPE
 Continuing Diespeker’s commitment to health and safety, we have recently upgraded our PPE by investing in top-of-the-range masks for our factory and installation teams.
One of the issues of our sector is the amount of dust that is produced during various processes, such as cutting, grinding and polishing the different stones and terrazzo we use. We have made changes over the years, including investing in cutting machinery that uses water jets, to reduce the amount of dust in the factory environment.
While the teams already used masks, we felt these needed to be upgraded. After undertaking comprehensive research, we purchased the new air fed Optrel Swiss Air masks. The unit delivers a flow of pure, clean air from a miniature blower system via a ‘Y-hose’ attached to a shoulder strap. This protects lungs and the respiratory tract from dust in the surrounding air.
It’s designed as a half-mask with an adjustable headband, which allows individual fitting for each user. The unit is lightweight (550g) facilitating freedom of movement and negating any back or neck pain. It is powered by battery, which lasts for 8 hours. This allows the team to work longer without feeling tired by having to breath in through a filter.
Importantly for our team: they can continue to communicate with each other when wearing the masks – which also work fine with facial hair. We were very happy to get positive feedback from the first Optrel Swiss Air mask wearers – our five-man polishing team.
A shout out to Diespeker Foreman David Batt who researched the masks prior to purchase.
Optrel Swiss Air
– The masks are 100% certified and compliant to the standard EN12941
– They have an APF of 40 and are fully TH3.
– Optrel are members of the BSIF (British Safety Industry Federation)
– The system has been audited to ensure compliance with BSIF standards
In addition to the new masks, Diespeker works with All Health Matters who provide Occupational Health & Safety services. A clinician recently visited our site to carry out annual hand arm vibration and lung function tests on 17 members of the factory team.