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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 to Celebrate 140th Anniversary with Return to Health and Safety Event

25 March 2024

Arco will showcase responsible ranges and joined-up safety solutions at the NEC in Birmingham.

Arco, the UK's leading safety company, will be exhibiting at this year's Health & Safety Event, scheduled to take place from the 30th April to 2nd May at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The event takes place during a momentous year for both Arco and the health and safety industry, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and Arco's 140th anniversary.

Arco's interactive exhibition can be found in Hall 4, Stand 4/G100 and has been designed to take visitors on a journey through the hierarchy of control, emphasising the importance of a joined-up approach to safety management. With a focus on consultancy, training, expert advice, compliance and sustainability, Arco aims to demonstrate its unparalleled safety expertise.

Visitors to the Arco stand can expect immersive experiences, including virtual reality demonstrations where they will be placed in realistic environments, highlighting hazards within working at height and confined spaces. The stand will also showcase Arco's award-winning Responsible hi-vis and Responsible workwear product ranges, as well as its product-assurance process and independent UKAS-accredited laboratory.

Ahead of the event, Arco has been shortlisted in four categories for the 2024 Safety and Health Excellence Awards. Arco is nominated for: BSIF Product Innovation Award Safety Product Category (Non-PPE), Campaign of the Year, Distributor of the Year and Marketing Campaign of the Year, as well as sponsoring and judging this year's inaugural Sustainable Company of the Year award. The winners will be announced during the award ceremony that will take place on the second night of the three-day Health & Safety Event.

Gareth Wray, Marketing Director at Arco, commented:

"We are thoroughly excited to be attending The Health & Safety Event during such a special year for Arco and the industry. We have gone above and beyond to create a truly engaging experience for visitors, showcasing our expertise not only in sourcing and delivering quality and compliant products, but in driving forward sustainable practices and offering joined-up safety solutions.

"We look forward to interacting with the many attendees and sharing our expertise to drive positive change in safety practices."

View Arco's joined-up approach to safety management and our responsible approach to sustainability.

Arco backs MP Emma Hardy's call for PPE inclusivity

19 March 2024

Arco has given its support to MP Emma Hardy as she urged Government ministers to ensure inclusivity in workplace PPE.

In the House of Commons last week, the MP for Hull West & Hessle tabled the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Protected Characteristics) Bill, which would put the onus on employers to ensure PPE provided to people with certain protected characteristics is suitable for their needs.

As part of Arco's public affairs work, which aims to influence the national health and safety agenda, we supported Ms Hardy in bringing the issue to Parliament.

Arco fully supports the drive for more inclusivity in PPE. Our core purpose is to help keep people safe at work, and this means all people. Ill-fitting PPE is not just uncomfortable, it can also be unsafe.

Addressing the House of Commons, Ms Hardy said: "momentum for change is building" and referred to Arco's support for the campaign.

Emma Hardy said:

"Arco, based in my constituency of Hull West & Hessle, a leading UK provider of health and safety products and PPE, recognises the need for change and is fully supportive of the campaign to improve inclusivity in PPE."

Mims Davies, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said the Government "entirely supports the assertion that personal protective equipment issued to workers should be inclusive and meet individual needs".

Read the full transcript of the debate at Inclusive PPE - UK Parliament and learn more about the Chartered Institute of Building's PPE that Fits campaign.

Shop our range of Women's PPE

Learn more about our commitment to help shape the UK's safety agenda


  • Make Sure You Comply With New Face Mask Legislation

    29 February 2024

    Filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators can be cup-shaped or fold-flat depending on the wearer's preference and are used in situations where they need to seal around the face, to prevent the inward leakage of harmful substances.

    Research by the HSE has shown that the effectiveness of respirators/masks, which are designed to fit tightly on the face (RPE), cannot be assured when they rely on ear loops, instead of head straps – even if they're used with clips or 'snuggers' – so at Arco we have long advised against their use.

    The Department of Business and Trade Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) puts regulations in place to protect people from unsafe and non-compliant products and ensures consumers and businesses can buy with confidence. It has therefore now imposed a Restriction on tight fitting, half face masks, which means to be compliant with the PPE Regulations* you need to make sure your FFP face masks don't use ear loops to hold them in place.

    Airborne particles in the workplace may be small, but they can lead to huge respiratory problems for your workforce. With around 19,000 new cases of breathing or lung problems reported annually it's vital to ensure your respiratory protection is airtight. If you are already purchasing your FFP face masks from Arco you can be fully reassured that they will only feature straps which sit behind the head.

    When selecting face masks, it's important to pick the correct Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) for your workplace hazards, but anyone wearing tight-fitting facepieces must also be face fit tested. This test ensures their mask fits correctly, a tight seal is achieved and so provides the expected level of protection.

    At Arco, we have the expertise to ensure your respiratory management is airtight, and as your expert partner provide analysis and insight on the latest industry developments to help you to keep your business safe. Arco is a market leader in providing respiratory management solutions, that also includes consultancy and risk management support, workplace air monitoring, face fit testing, lung function tests and much more.

    Click here to read more expert advice on selecting respiratory protection.

     


    *The Department for Business and Trade Notice states that the EN 149:2001 + A1:2009 standard does not satisfy the essential health and safety requirements as defined in Annex II to Regulation 2016/245 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (as incorporated into UK law) as regards this type of product and should therefore be published with restriction and the extent of the presumption of conformity does not cover the respirators/masks which rely on ear loops.

     

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  • Change to Our Website Sign in Process

    27 February 2024

    Change to our website sign in process

    We have now upgraded our website security which means that if you have an arco account, the way that you sign in will change, though your existing username and password will remain the same.

    Previously you entered your sign in details into the main drop-down box on our website as shown in the top image.

    Now, when entering your sign in details into a drop-down box, you simply click ‘sign in’ and will be automatically directed to a new secure sign in page to enter your details, as shown in the image to the right.

    These changes will help ensure your sign in experience remains secure. If you have any difficulty signing in, or need to obtain sign in details, please visit our update login help page here.

    Change to forgotten password process

    If you forget your Arco password, our new process allows you to reset it online by using a unique code that we will send directly to the email associated to your account. Enter it into the website and then select a new secure password to continue shopping with us. As shown in the image to the right.

    As a quick reminder, we are unable to give passwords over the phone and Arco will never ask you to disclose your password at any time.

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  • Arco Publishes Whitepaper on Emerging Disease Preparedness

    08 January 2024

    • Calls on Government to improve regulation and guidance for procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    • A robust PPE stockpile should be created to mitigate supply chain risk
    • The Government should develop the ability to source additional PPE at scale and improve domestic production of PPE

    The UK Government's National Risk Register has assessed another pandemic as the most significant risk to the UK's safety, security and prosperity, with a 5 COVID-19 25% possibility of another pandemic striking over the next five years. Responding to the Government enquiry into emerging diseases, Arco, the UK's leading provider of safety products and services has published a whitepaper: Pandemic Preparedness and Business Continuity: Preparing effectively for emerging diseases with a set of recommendations to build resilience for the future.

    Arco has been at the forefront of responding to global health emergencies and crises such as Foot and Mouth Disease, swine and Ebola, COVID-19 and most recently, avian flu.

    Thomas Martin, Arco Chairman said:

    "As the UK's leading safety expert, Arco has a right and responsibility to share our experiences and make recommendations for future preparedness. We've been vocal about improving pandemic preparedness for some time now, and we felt a responsibility to share our experiences and expertise to improve the UK's response to emerging disease threats."

    The company is now urging the Government to act and enhance preparedness for future PPE challenges posed by the spread of new diseases with pandemic potential.

    The six key areas with recommendations are:

    1. Improve national guidance and procurement of PPE.
    2. Develop national healthcare guidelines for recommended methods and frequency of face fit testing for respiratory protection, and training of testers.
    3. Ensure guidance and practical training is provided for all PPE.
    4. All PPE should be sourced from an ethical supply chain.
    5. Create a transparent and robust PPE stockpile.
    6. Establish a resilient supply chain ensuring continuity of manufacture and supply of PPE.

    Guy Bruce, CEO of Arco, said:

    "This whitepaper establishes our experience in responding to global crises and includes our evidence and recommendations for the future.

    "These focus on the key areas of pandemic planning, guidance on respiratory face fit testing, PPE compliance, ethical sourcing, PPE stockpiling and building a resilient supply chain. Whilst the recommendations are made to government, they include actions that are relevant to all industry to ensure resilience and business continuity, should another pandemic occur. We urge the Government, Healthcare leaders, critical infrastructure and industries plus businesses generally to act on our recommendations to ensure we can all be better prepared for any future emergencies and help make our world a safer place."

    To read the full paper, visit: https://www.arco.co.uk/shaping-the-safety-agenda/pandemic-preparedness

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