News and Updates

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

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.

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.

Safety Experts Unite to Maximise Worker Hand Care, with Minimum Impact on the Environment

Arco is working closely with hand protection specialist Traffi to provide Arco customers with the world's first carbon neutral safety glove range*. As signatories of the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP), Arco is committed to cutting carbon, water and waste across its product ranges. Traffi's new Life Extending Technology (LXT) Carbon Neutral collection marks a new environmental standard for safety gloves and progresses Arco's ongoing journey towards a sustainable future.

The LXT range ensures Arco customers can access a high-quality glove that does not sacrifice the environment's needs or worker hand health. To reach net-zero, Traffi worked tirelessly with its glove production partner to calculate the total greenhouse gases emitted from the production of its LXT glove range. The process, supported by The Carbon Consulting Company and The Sustainable Future Group, resulted in a final figure that enabled Traffi to select a globally recognised carbon reduction project to compensate for its emissions. Through this initiative, Traffi reduced its carbon footprint for the LXT range to net-zero*.

Gloves are a high volume and high wastage product. However, Traffi's LXT life extending technology means the LXT cut protection range of gloves last longer. LXT gloves are certified washable for three washes and tested to EN388 2016 after being laundered. This results in lower daily costs, helping businesses to save money and reduce waste.

The alliance between Arco and Traffi enhances Arco's social values and principles of sustainable development and its commitment to being an environmentally responsible business. In addition to its partnership with Traffi, Arco has embedded sustainability into its day-to-day operational activity, including its National Distribution Centre (NDC), retail stores, offices and vehicle fleet. Arco's objective is to go beyond the minimum requirements and help its customers and suppliers achieve their sustainability pledges. Under its Product Stewardship process, Arco takes responsibility for minimising a product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle. Arco developed its Responsible Processes in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, enabling the safety expert to ensure its initiatives effectively address global challenges.

Danny Hobson, Head of Ethics and Sustainability at Arco, says:

"Our core purpose is to keep people safe. As a fifth-generation, family-owned business, showing respect for people and regard for the planet means future generations will have the opportunity to stay safe and protected too. Although we're early in our greener journey, we're committed to the goal. In helping to bring great initiatives like Traffi's to the market, we're paving the way for other manufacturers to follow suit as, together, we work to make our planet that little bit greener."

Adrian James, Director of Traffi, says:

"At Traffi, it is our duty to continuously innovate and help our customer make a difference. Most glove users have little knowledge of the significant carbon footprint in manufacturing gloves, as is the case across the wider PPE portfolio. We're here to share our insights and enable customers to make better informed decisions in both, selecting the best products for keeping hands safe, but also acting responsibly in reducing carbon footprint."

Sanith de S. Wijeyeratne, CEO of The Carbon Consultancy Company, says:

"Measuring the "cradle to gate" emission of the LXT gloves and the organisational emission of the Traffi itself was a challenging exercise. The project took many months and required engagements at all levels of the supply chain. CCC is proud to work with clients such as Traffi that have demonstrated their commitment to the environment in a tangible way. Measuring and compensating for their greenhouse gas emissions is an intrinsic part of their business model. Our planet needs more of such responsible business owners."

*Traffi LX Carbon Neutral gloves have been certified in accordance with (PAS)2050, ISO 14067:2018 and ISO 14064-3.

• 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