On Tuesday, 14 September, Hainsworth Protective Fabrics hosted their latest webinar titled ‘PPE Standards in the Fire Industry’, led by two of the industry’s most respected experts in the field. AFAC’s Director of Standards and Strategic Procurement, Russell Shephard, and Chair of the BSI Firefighters Protective Clothing Committee, Dave Matthews, shared their combined extensive insight into the world of safety standards with an audience of key figures from the Fire and Rescue Services and fire protection industry.
Firefighters face extreme risk on a frequent basis, and the formation of and adherence to standards is how we can ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place to minimise this risk. Over the course of the 90-minute Zoom session, the speakers provided an introduction to key standards relating to firefighter PPE, how these standards are developed, and the committees such as ISO, CEN and BSI that are responsible for implementing them.
As former firefighters themselves, Russell and Dave were both keen to emphasise how crucial it is that firefighters continue to be involved in standards committees, and that those with experience on the front line have the best knowledge regarding the specific safety requirements of the end user.
‘We need to keep trying to get as many firefighters as possible and those who have an interest and passion for this area involved in standards development, in order to continue the work that Dave and I have done over the years,’ Russell explained. ‘We’re ex-firefighters, and so naturally we have one thing at the forefront of our minds – to protect other firefighters.’
To view a recording of the webinar and hear Russell Shephard and Dave Matthews’ presentations in full, please contact Lesley Routh-Jones at lesleyrouth-jones@awhainsworth.co.uk.
For more information, go to www.hainsworthprotectives.co.uk
