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News and Updates

All the latest news and updates from the UK's leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment

For press and media queries, please email PressandMedia@arco.co.uk

  • Arco Weaves Recycled Threads into its Embroidery and Decoration Services

    01 August 2023

    Arco has begun using environmentally conscious recycled threads at its clothing centre in Preston.

    Following a successful pilot with supplier, Madeira, Arco, the UK's leading safety company, has introduced recycled threads from Madeira's Polyneon Green range into its personalised workplace clothing embroidery and decoration service. Polyneon Green threads are made from 100% recycled PET bottles, reducing carbon emissions associated with virgin thread production and reducing the amount of plastic in the environment.

    Over the course of 2022, when the trial began, 62% of the cones supplied from Madeira were Polyneon Green. So far in 2023, 67% of the total cones supplied to Arco have been with thread made from the alternative.

    In addition to the thread being made from recycled materials, they also have Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®, Annex 6 product class I certification, which ensures they do not contain any harmful chemicals. The boxes that the cones are packaged in are made of 66% recycled cardboard and they themselves are fully recyclable, the protective wrapper used for each cone is also 100% recyclable. In total, 1.148 tonnes of recycled threads have been used in the clothing centre since the trial began.

    According to a recent study by the European Environment Agency, EU consumers discard 5.8 million tonnes of textiles annually, two thirds of which from synthetic fibres. This accounts for around 13% of all plastic waste globally.

    Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco, said:

    "At Arco, we work in partnership with our suppliers, customers and relevant bodies to develop and provide responsible solutions for safer businesses.

    "Switching to recycled threads is an example of how Arco is taking action for a safer tomorrow and making it easier for our customers to meet their sustainability and circularity goals and to be confident in making more responsible purchase decisions."

    Stephen Crossley, General Manager of Arco's Clothing Centre, said:

    “Working closely with our supplier, Madeira, we have successfully implemented important changes to the thread we use for our embroidery and decoration services.

    "Our job is never completed when it comes to sustainability, so, as the Polyneon Green range continues to develop, in terms of colours and finishes, we will seek to source even more of the threads we use from this range."

    Andrew Maylor, Managing Director of Madeira UK, said:

    "As a long-term supplier of embroidery threads and accessories to Arco, we are proud to be working in partnership with them to help take action for a more sustainable future.

    "Our Polyneon Green range was created in response to the global demand to reduce plastic bottles. With Polyneon Green, we are reducing the amount of plastic in the environment and making the textile industry more sustainable. Our aim is to develop the range further so that our customers can continue to have more sustainable options to choose from."

    To find out more about the services available at Arco's Clothing Centre, visit: www.arco.co.uk/about/comprehensive-product-range/specialist-clothing-services

    To find out more about Madeira's Polyneon Green: www.madeira.co.uk/embroidery-threads/polyneon-green/

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  • Arco Colleagues Support the Plant a Tree Today Foundation and Foodbanks

    03 July 2023

    The Plant a Tree Today (PATT) Foundation is a UK Registered Charity that want to take action against climate change by planting native trees and reforesting areas destroyed by illegal logging, development and agriculture.

    Green-fingered colleagues from our Customer Experience Centre (CEC) used one of their two annual volunteering days to support the PATT Foundation on the charity's four-acre nursery site just outside of Hull. The team potted native tree seedlings, watered plants, sowed seeds and harvested food crops for local food banks alongside constructing wigwams to establish the planting of runner beans, lettuces and Pinus Sylvestris.

    Chris Hepton, Customer Service Team Leader, said:

    "It was great to learn about what the PATT Foundation do and it's good to know that that our efforts will go towards helping food banks".

    Well done to all involved!

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  • Arco Success at the Family Business United Awards

    30 June 2023

    Arco won the Yorkshire Family Business of the Year Award at the Family Business United Awards last week.

    We were up against 200+ national businesses, so we feel incredibly honoured to have taken the top spot in the Yorkshire category. Arco's entry outlined the company's joined-up safety solution offering, company values, philanthropic activity, innovations in sustainability, and achievements from across the company's 139 years in business.

    The judges recognised the role which the Martin family has played and continue to play through their stewardship and investment in the business. Whether that be through being active members in our communities through charitable work or lobbying for change in parliament against non-compliant PPE, their passion, expertise and support is invaluable.

    At a ceremony held in London, Charley Seward, Supplier Relationships and Transformation Manager and fifth-generation family member, and Becky Casson, Buying Director, proudly picked up the award on Arco's behalf.

    Arco were also runners up in the Supreme Champion Award, the national title which they won in 2021.

    Charley Seward said:

    "I was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the 1600 members of the Arco family who make this business tick. As colleagues, we know we have something very special at Arco, but it's wonderful to have this validated by Family Business United too."

    Guy Bruce, CEO, said:

    "It's a privilege and honour to have our business recognised in this space and to be able to share in the celebrations with other family business of all sizes, generations and sectors who were also awarded on the night. "Congratulations to all colleagues on this achievement - you all play a part in making this business great."

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  • Arco Hits Face-fit Testing 50,000 Milestone

    30 June 2023

    Arco has achieved an historic milestone following the completion of the 50,000th face-fit test, as part of its programme of respirator protection and fitting services being delivered to NHS and social care sector in Scotland.

    In 2020, while health services were struggling to source PPE and ensure all their workers were adequately protected during the Covid-19 pandemic, Arco stepped in to supply essential PPE and face-fitting services to Scotland's health and social care sectors, with the business continuing to supply NHS Scotland successfully and reliably; to 50 local hubs for distribution to over 2,700 sites. Arco is continuing to ensure the nation's dedicated health and social care professionals are ready, whenever they may need to rely on respiratory protection.

    Over past three years, Arco has supplied 200million surgical masks, seven million FFP3 masks and 10million visors. Arco has also supplied 200million gloves and one million medical type coveralls.

    In addition to products, Arco worked with hospital teams throughout Scotland to deliver a face-fit testing programme, ensuring facilities, estates and clinical workers felt safe and were protected with correctly fitting FFP3 masks - the type that forms a seal around the face to protect healthcare workers when the risks mean a simple face covering isn't enough. As people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, it's a legal requirement and crucial that healthcare workers have a fit test to make sure their mask won't leak, and they know which masks are suitable for them to wear.

    Dougie Logan, Healthcare Key Account Manager, said:

    "A big thank you to our team of fit testers who have made this possible.

    "I feel so proud we've been able to help those most in need. Thousands of people, both in and out of the NHS, have been protected thanks to the time and expertise of our colleagues. It was a huge team effort."

    To ensure staff continue to benefit from the highest level of protection, it is recommended that face-fit testing is undertaken every two years or sooner to accommodate any physical changes to the wearer, such as weight loss or gain or things like new glasses that might affect how a mask fits.

    Keith Moir, Healthcare Specialist at Arco, said:

    "In the past two years, we've efficiently managed over 7,000 days of Fit2Fit approved testing at over 20 hospitals across Scotland for workers on both day and night shifts.

    "As experts in safety, with a core purpose of keeping people safe at work, ensuring 50,000 frontline NHS and social care staff across Scotland have been face-fit tested is an important milestone.

    "In addition to the Fit2Fit testing, in-person and virtual support has been provided to clinical staff wearing respiratory protection and we have also organised face-fit training for over 300 NHS staff across Scotland, delivering bespoke sessions, as well as ongoing coaching and mentoring for staff so they themselves can be trained to Fit2Fit standards, the scheme that helps ensure fit testing meets legal standards. Several have gone on to pass their Fit2Fit examination, a big achievement."

    To find out more about the importance of face-fit testing and the services, click here.

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  • Reduce the Risk of Breathing and Lung Problems

    21 June 2023

    There are 19,000 estimated new cases of breathing or lung problems caused or made worse by work, annually over the last three years, according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey. This statistic is entirely preventable if risks are appropriately controlled.

    Businesses and organisations must know how to protect staff and provide adequate respiratory protection. Employers have a legal duty to put in place suitable arrangements to manage workplace health and safety, including compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). A considered approach can prevent future deaths and ensure regulatory compliance.

    What are the Dangers?

    The inhalation of hazardous substances poses a serious risk to workers' health. Hazards can be present in the form of dusts, fibres and fumes, mists and sprays, micro-organisms, gases and vapours. However, this type of exposure is more common in certain industries, such as construction and manufacturing, with the largest estimate of occupational cancer cases. A hazardous substance of particular prominence is respirable crystalline silica (RCS) or silica dust. This is a common by-product of many manufacturing tasks, such as brick and tile manufacture, ceramics, stone working, kitchen worktop manufacture and foundry work, which can all produce airborne silica particles that are invisible to the naked eye.

    Inhalation of RCS can cause the development of the following lung diseases:

    • Silicosis- makes breathing more difficult and increases the risk of lung infections. Silicosis usually follows exposure over many years, but extremely high exposures can lead to rapid ill health.
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - a group of lung diseases, including bronchitis and emphysema, resulting in severe breathlessness, prolonged coughing, and chronic disability. It can be very disabling and is a leading cause of death.
    • Lung Cancer - can be caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to RCS dust. When someone already has silicosis, there is an increased risk of lung cancer.

    What Can be Done?

    The first step toward protecting employees and workers is identifying the materials and substances that present a respiratory health hazard. Organisations and businesses must understand the specific risks of any materials within a workplace to ensure the appropriate control measures are in place.

    Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDs) serve as a valuable tool for collating and digesting information regarding any potentially hazardous substances in a workplace. This includes identification, make-up and usage and advice on exposure controls and personal protection.

    Moreover, understanding relevant hazardous substances in the workplace is not only crucial for protecting employees, but also forms the foundation in conducting a risk assessment - a vital process to be carried out before work can begin. Being proactive is essential for any risk assessment, requiring a consideration not only of hazardous materials but also of individuals who may come into contact with them, including both employees and the public. A full risk assessment is essential to maintain regulatory compliance and safeguarding employees' wellbeing.

    Following a complete risk assessment and recognising any potential hazards, preventative and protective measures should be implemented. This is highly conditional to the specific work scenario; however, all situations should first consider the possibility of substitution of hazardous materials. The removal of risk is the easiest path to safety. In cases where this is not possible:

    • Utilise engineering controls to remove or reduce employee exposure. These might be less powerful tools, water systems or an 'on-tool dust' extraction solution.
    • Provide PPE in the form of respiratory protective equipment (RPE). An effective respiratory management programme will ensure correct RPE selection, face-fit testing (for tight fitting RPE), relevant training and regular equipment inspections and maintenance. When selecting types of personal protective equipment, the correct selection of RPE is critical. Experts should be consulted if there is any uncertainty.
    • Carry out regular employee health monitoring. This will ensure that all control measures are working. Monitoring employees' health can identify early signs of exposure and can inform updates on current control measures.

    Together we can prevent these needless deaths from work-related lung diseases. A well-thought-out approach to risk management and the correct RPE can dramatically reduce the current statistics across all sectors.

    As part of a series of toolbox talks, Arco has produced a video around respiratory protection and advice for those working around wood dust and silica dust.

    Following submissions to both consultations by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Respiratory Health, relating to the hazards of silica dust, Arco accepted an invitation to join a panel of industry experts to advise the Government on how to tackle the risks associated with silica dust.

    Click the links for further information about Arco's comprehensive product range and the supporting respiratory services and training provided by Arco Professional Safety Services.

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