BFPA Directory 2019

Pirtek Europe Limited Fluid injection injury can be defined as the puncturing of the epidermis by a jet of a fluid under pressure. Fluid injection injury is the term used to describe an injury sustained by an individual following an injection of fluid, usually while operating or inspecting pressurised hydraulic equipment. Although reported instances of injury through fluid injection are comparatively uncommon in the UK, the risk of injury through fluid injection is common to all hydraulic equipment irrespective of the system volume and can occur at relatively low pressures. Fluid injection injuries are almost entirely occupational and sustained by male manual workers, both skilled and unskilled, with injuries mostly sustained to the palm or pads of the digits of the non-dominant hand. Clinical studies identified that a lack of comprehension of the potential severity of injuries of this type on the part of the injured parties and medical professionals is the main obstacle to effective treatment. This appears to be largely due to the apparent benignity of the initial presentation of the wound. If untreated, fluid injection injuries can result in amputation or even death. Alan McDonald Health & Safety Laboratory In 2014 Martyn Smart, Pirtek Health & Safety Manager, began to work closely with Alan McDonald at the Health & Company Profile Safety Laboratory on the testing of a specific PPE garment that could withstand fluid injection injuries, namely a Fluid injection resistant glove. After many hours of testing to pressures as high as 700BAR, utilising heavy financial investment from Pirtek UK, the glove was approved as an appropriate garment to resist fluid injections. The first generation Pirtek Fluid power Glove was launched to 84 www.bfpa.co.uk Leading the way with award winning Fluid Power glove protecting against ‘Fluid Injection injuries’ the Pirtek network in 2015 and through a key supply chain solution, the Pirtek Fluid Power Glove was also made available to the entire industry as well as partnering industries. It is recommended that the glove should be adopted as a key PPE garment for any person working on or around fluid power systems, from hydraulic power packs to excavators and water jetting machines. The Pirtek Fluid power glove is the only glove of its kind available in the market place that offers resistance to fluid injection injuries. Since its initial launch, the Pirtek Fluid Power Glove is now worn by over 6000 operatives. With the unprecedented demand and following feedback from users, Pirtek began next stage development and commenced work with their partners on design tweaks, launching the second generation glove in 2017. The second generation glove, labelled 4048, was launched as a non- branded solution encompassing high visibility outer shell, much improved dexterity and a silicon palm area for added grip level in 2018 and went on to win ‘Safety innovation of year’ award at the demolition awards in July 2018.