4o Trimestre 16 Protección Laboral 89 Scott Safety The new Dura ow stands for innovative breathing technology Greater emphasis is being placed on workforce wellbeing, with respirator y protection a leading con- cern for those working in hazardous environments. Here Mark Andrews, Global Product Line Manag- er for respiratory products using ltration at Scott Safety, discusses the importance of respiratory pro- tection and highlights the latest advancements in product technology. For all business owners, the health and safety of employees is paramount, especially so for business- es operating in high-hazard industries. And, with the introduction of tougher Sentencing Guidelines earli- er this year, failure to place workforce wellbeing as a top priority could have serious rami cations for those who do not comply. One of the top concerns for organizations operating in hazardous industries is airborne contamination from harmful dust, mist and fumes that could be breathed in by em- ployees irreversibly damaging their res- piratory systems.This is why prevention is key and Respirator y Protective Equip- ment (RPE) is such a key consideration when workers risk contact with harmful airborne pollutants. When ensuring that the entire workforce is adequately pro- tected, employee age must be taken into consideration, particularly with average age of the working population becoming older. In the UK, almost 23 % of workers are aged over 60, and this gure is set to rise to 31% per cent by 2020. How does this speci cally re- late to RPE? Well, older workers may experience a decline in aerobic and cardi- ovascular functions, with respirator y ca- pacity changes that result in increased lethargy and the need for more fre- quent rest breaks. PAPR solution The optimum RPE solution for the whole workforce could be Powered Air Respirators (PAPR) and Scott Safety has developed a range of sophisticated mod- els. As a global leader in the design, manufacture and sale of high-performance respirators, Scott Safety is committed to providing the wearer with the ultimate protection and comfort, enabling them to focus on the job at hand and not have to worry about their RPE. This autumn, Scott Safety launched its latest PAPR yet – Dura ow. The reactive respirator intelligently monitors the air owrate continuously in real time to ensure that the user receives the correct air ow at all times, ensuring workers remain fully protected during the most arduous of tasks. This technology combined with its lightweight but durable construc- tion, means that the Dura ow is ideal for those who work in the most demanding environments such as mining and chemical industries – keeping them safe and cool. Ergonomically designed, Dura ow features a simple user interface but with a sophisticated ow control mechanism behind the scenes. It incorporates audio and visual diagnostic alerts that warn of a drop be- low the correct owrate or when the powerful lith- ium-ion battery needs re-charging. Featuring IP67 rated ingress protection with decontamination kit tted, the unit can also be submerged when clean- ing is required. The versatile PAPR is compatible with a wide as- sortment of Scott Safety headtops and lters that can be selected based on the individual user’s needs and by the determined hazard level. It is also important to remember that to reduce any addi- tional respiratory burden to the user, it is advisable to change lters regularly in accordance with the work risk assessment. For any business that is un- sure about the type or level of lter required for a particular task Scott Safety is able to offer guidance and has made available its SureLife software which can be found online by visiting www.scottsurelife. com. As with any health and safety equipment purchase, cost of ownership is an important deciding factor for many businesses. The Dura ow is a cost-ef- fective solution both in terms of initial purchase and replacing lters, all without compromising on high-level protection. 55 Updated products