News and Updates

Arco has warned that improper protection against the sun's harmful UV rays is on the rise due to a misconception about weather conditions.

What people don't realise is that UV rays are not related to temperature. UV rays can pass through light cloud, loosely woven material, side windows of vehicles and bounce off reflective surfaces.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK and one study found that approximately 86% of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to UV radiation from the sun.

For those working outdoors, heightened exposure can be up to 10 times more impactful. On average, five workers a day get skin cancer and the disease is responsible for 60 worker deaths a year. With the right precautions, 90% of these deaths can be prevented.

Ensuring adequate UV protection is a key part of an employer 's PPE obligations and it is vital that the necessary precautions are in place to protect workers all year round, particularly when the daily UV levels reach three or above. Many organisations believe they are already implementing sufficient measures to combat the risk of UV exposure; however, many workers do not follow protocols and lack sufficient training on the risks of working outdoors.

Steps that employers can take to fulfil their duty of care include assessing the risks, the implementation of control measures by adopting the '5S Approach' (Slip, Slop, Slap, Slide and Shade) and providing on-going training and support to educate and raise awareness of UV exposure. Applying sun cream is important and should be used alongside other protective measures.

Nick Foort, Industrial Skincare Specialist at Arco, said:

"Sun safety is often overlooked by outdoor workers where other safety concerns take precedent. But the misconception that the UK climate isn't sunny enough to cause skin damage is false. Radiation from the sun's UV rays is an invisible killer and it is important that employers and workers take the risk seriously to avoid developing skin cancer."

Arco specialises is expert advice and guidance and provides downloadable information, including toolbox talks and posters, to help educate staff. The company also offers a range of SC Johnson Professional® UV protection sun creams, sun safety centre board and dispensers for on-going use and compliance.

To find out more about occupational sun exposure to help prevent new skin cancer cases from arising, click here or, to contact Arco's Industrial Skincare Specialist and find free, downloadable supporting materials, click here.

Arco welcomed James Sunderland, Member of Parliament for Bracknell, to its recently opened safety centre in the town.

Bracknell is Arco's largest dedicated safety centre and was a £2million investment by the business, which created 12 new jobs.

When the centre opened in November 2022, it represented a strategically significant move by Arco, bringing the company's expert knowledge, high-quality products and training to the south of the UK.

The visit provided an opportunity for Arco to showcase the state-of-the-art facilities and services offered at the centre, including practical learning environments, a 20-metre external tower for working at height training and a 30m long confined space labyrinth, as well as an on-site safety store, where customers can purchase products, and make use of the equipment service centre. Mr Sunderland took the opportunity to discuss important health and safety issues, including the Retained EU Law Bill and the implications this could have on UK Health and Safety Regulations.

In addition to touring the venue, Mr Sunderland also met Arco's safety experts and was given practical demonstrations of confined space training, respiratory protection, including the importance of face-fit testing, and working at height.

Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"Arco was delighted to host Mr Sunderland during his recent visit at our safety centre in his Bracknell constituency.

"The visit allowed us to further demonstrate the expertise within our business and our deep commitment to our customers in the region and to keeping people safe at work. It also gave us the opportunity to discuss some of the most important issues facing health and safety regulations in the UK and how Arco, as experts in safety, can continue to work constructively with the Government to maintain the health and safety of UK workers, particularly those who work in hazardous environments that may cause injury, life changing diseases or fatalities."

James Sunderland MP said:

"I was really impressed by my first visit to the Arco Safety Centre in Bracknell.

"Arco has made a significant investment by constructing a bespoke safety hub in Berkshire and is already making a big difference in keeping people safe at work."

For further information about the Joined-up Safety Solutions offered at Bracknell Safety Centre, click here.

Arco is introducing its new responsible workwear range, a new line of garments that are made to last, ethically sourced and produced with a fully traceable supply chain.

Nearly 90 per cent of the 33 million workwear items supplied annually end up in landfill or are incinerated once they have finished their useful life. Arco is committed to providing more responsible solutions for safer businesses.

The responsible workwear range is designed to make it easier for customers to make informed purchase decisions, which in turn supports them to meet their sustainability and circularity objectives.

Working with responsible clothing manufacturer, Lyfcycle, each garment contains a unique QR code that allows users to trace its journey through the supply chain with the use of an app.

Made with durable fabric and reinforced features, the responsible workwear range has been developed for an extended lifespan to increase the longevity of workwear that is used in tough working conditions. It also has extended washability meaning it can withstand more washes, retaining colour stability and not shrinking.

Designing garments to be longer-lasting and more durable are not just signs of well-made clothing, they are also important sustainability credentials. By using something for longer, customers can reduce their product footprint - resulting in lower overall carbon emissions and water use.

All garments are made from Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified recycled polyester, Better Cotton TM and packaging is made using GRS-certified 100% recycled plastic. The garment supply chain is also assessed and verified for fair and ethical practices by third party social audits including the Workplace Conditions Assessment (WCA) and Accord standards while production processes are assessed on being environmentally responsible by BSCI and GRS.

The new range offers customers the opportunity for a complete uniform proposition for workers, including men's and women's fit garments in up to six different colours, with sizes ranging from XS to 5XL. The initial launch range includes t-shits, polos, sweatshirts and cargo trousers.

Andrew Tapp, Product and Procurement Manager at Arco, said:

"Responsible choices in products are increasingly important to customers - we're seeing an increase in enquiries, not only about what Arco is doing as a business, but also in the products we supply.

"We therefore identified a clear need to develop and launch a new range of more responsible garments that could support customers with their sustainability goals, but which was not possible through the current workwear market.

"Using a unique design and approach, the range offers peace of mind to customers with proven credentials whilst remaining excellent quality and competitively priced."

Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco, said:

"The launch of our responsible workwear range is an exciting moment for Arco and is a practical example of how, as a business, we are taking action for a safer tomorrow.

"At Arco, we believe our job is never done when it comes to sustainability and that is why we are committed to providing responsible solutions for safer businesses. This new range is one of the many steps we're taking to make more responsible choices and to help our customers do the same."

Arco's responsible workwear line is available to purchase online here

Arco has invested £200,000 in three new mobile confined space units to expand its national fleet and enable more bespoke training for customers working in hazardous environments across the country.

The new units will take Arco's confined space solutions to small, medium and larger customers across the UK. The units allow scenarios that simulate a range of activities that workers may face in a confined space, such as repair and maintenance work in a tunnel. They have also been effectively used to support the training of rescue team members in how to recover casualties.

Arco instructors can replicate real-world scenarios that are relevant to key industries, enabling workers to face potential risks in a controlled environment. Other hazards, such as smoke, can also be released into the tunnel systems as an additional training factor, making them suitable to train workers in a variety of situations.

The trailer units are built around a seven-metre, triple-axle chassis and contain multiple tunnels, which have a combined length of over 30 metres. Internal cameras enable instructors to monitor the safety of delegates, in real time, and review exercises using playback after training sessions are complete.

Access to a comprehensive range of equipment, such as gas monitors, harnesses, breathing apparatus and working at height equipment is available to ensure bespoke environments, tailored to the requirements of each customer, can be supported.

The trailers enable customers to access the same equipment available at Arco's safety training centres, including a range of entry equipment, such as tripods and Davit systems.

Utilising the multi and intermediate levels within the trailers, delegates can practically apply the skills they have been taught during the training in a safe and controlled environment.

The investment marks the latest step in Arco's commitment to delivering 'Joined-up Safety Solutions' and follows the recent opening of its £2million Bracknell Safety Centre, which provides health and safety services across the South of England, combining risk assessment, training and equipment provision all under one roof.

The new centre is home to state-of-the art confined space facilities, with a purpose-built labyrinth that features more than 30m of traverse capability and up to five metres of vertical access into multiple chambers to simulate relevant confined space hazards.

Since opening in November 2022, the centre has received strong positive feedback from customers and industry bodies. In addition to its confined space training offer, the Bracknell Safety Centre will offer working at height training outdoors from its recently installed 20m external tower.

Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"As experts in safety and a leading provider of confined space training across the country, Arco is committed to delivering an effortless experience for our customers.

"As the UK's leading integrated safety products and services business, our investment in our new mobile confined space training units and in the facilities at our new state-of-the-art Bracknell Safety Centre allows us to deliver bespoke training and a joined-up approach to safety that meets even the most complex of challenges."

Brian Grunes, Confined Space Subject Matter Expert and Training Manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"Our new fleet of confined space training units allow us to bring our world-class training offer to our customers sites without losing any of the features that would be available at our safety centres."

To find out more about Arco's confined space training offer, click here or to discuss booking one of the mobile confined space units, email training@arcoservices.co.uk

To find out more about the joined-up safety offer at Arco's new Bracknell Safety Centre, click here

Arco Professional Safety Services has been commended for the respiratory management programme it implemented with BAE Systems, in Glasgow, at this year's British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Safety Awards.

The expert safety partner was shortlisted for the BSIF Safety Solution Award and, while the entry was not selected as the overall winner in the strongly contested category, judges were full of praise for Arco's submission at a ceremony held at The VOX at the NEC, in Birmingham.

Arco and Arco Professional Safety Services have a well-established and trusted relationship with BAE Systems and have contracts in place for the provision of safety products and learning and development services, as well as providing respiratory protective equipment (RPE) services to BAE facilities for several years; including face-fit testing and RPE maintenance.

Arco's submission focussed on its work with BAE Govan and Scotstoun, where it introduced a streamlined process to enhance the defence company's respiratory management regime through the careful selection of products, RPE training, face-fit testing, inspection and maintenance, record keeping and suitable and sufficient equipment storage.

Arco's solution ensures all RPE is inspected in line with legal requirements, that the condition of the RPE is suitable to provide adequate protection for the specific hazards and minimises the risk of respiratory illness in BAE's workforce.

Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"As experts in respiratory protection, with extensive knowledge of the regulations, we provided BAE Govan and Scotstoun with guidance surrounding their legal requirements for RPE inspection and maintenance and supported them in implementing a compliant respiratory inspection and servicing procedure.

"We are proud that the solution we partnered with BAE Systems to deliver has not only improved their respiratory processes and industry compliance but has also been recognised by the BSIF and the wider safety industry.

"We are proud to have been commended for our work, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of our safety experts in fulfilling our core purpose of keeping people safe at work."

To find out more about the range of respiratory services provided by Arco Professional Safety Services, click here.