Escape and Working Rescue Equipment: No Room For Complacency

21st April 2022
HEAD in action NEW 2021 (LANDSCAPE CROP)1920 x 1280px

Semmco Life Protection Systems escape and working rescue breathing apparatus is fully compliant with the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 that was published in April 2019.

After April 2019, it was a legal requirement that Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) must be compliant with this regulation.[1] The New Approach Directive safeguards that every Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) product on the market will enhance consumer safety. All available RPE must be updated to adhere to the changes to ensure employee health and safety is effectively protected against hazardous or compromised air.

In the UK, a number of workers are killed or seriously injured while entering or working in a confined space across a wide range of hazardous industries every year[2]. Danger can arise when workers are suddenly faced with a lack of oxygen or poisonous gases, fumes or vapours that are present or could become present in the confined space.

The end-user needs to be confident that the emergency breathing equipment supplied will protect them against any hazardous or life-threatening incidents that may occur in their working day, which will enable a worker to feel comfortable to work in such environments.

The CE Marking declares that the RPE has been thoroughly examined annually and adheres to the safety standards in Category III (complex PPE) products of the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425.[3]

Semmco’s HEAD10, 15 and 30 escape sets offer breathing protection for workers who need to escape confined spaces and hazardous environments, where the breathable atmosphere may not be safe. HEAD escape and working rescue sets are designed with excellent panoramic vision so wearers can easily see their escape route.  The set has an integral audio-visual alarm that informs the wearer of the amount of breathing time left.

Semmco’s HEAD15 working rescue set is designed to supply a 15-minute duration of oxygen when a worker needs to enter a hazardous area or rescue someone already in a potentially harmful environment, currently used in all UK prisons.

Carl Bennett, Semmco LPS General Manager said: “We are committed to ensuring our Life Protection Systems range are fully compliant, bear the CE marking, and fulfil the essential requirements of the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Customers can rest assured our equipment meets all the required standards, offers premium protection and when used correctly will keep employees at work protected.”

For more information about Semmco Life Protection Systems, call the UK office on +44 (0) 1483 757200 or email saleslps@semmco.com