Brochure 2023 V2 online - Flipbook - Page 23
EXCEEDING STANDARDS
Here at Centurion, we believe that the standards that govern head protection (EN 397), written in 1995, and adopted from
ISO3873 in 1977, could do more to meet the protection requirements for the modern working environment (available materials
and methods have changed signi昀椀cantly).
We encourage the end customers we work with to consider their speci昀椀cation beyond the EN 397 standard written so many
years ago. We also believe that facilities and health and safety executives should consider adding the following to their purchase
speci昀椀cation:
BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme (RSSS): Every RSSS
member is independently audited every single year. Products are
subjected to random testing for performance and compliance to
claimed standards. RSSS members commit to their customerfacing employees being trained in the Safe Supply Accreditation
programme to ensure competence in PPE and Health & Safety.
Membership of the scheme involves more than testing and
training. It includes a shared commitment to advocating the
scheme’s bene昀椀ts to other health and safety providers.
Kitemark: The Kitemark is an unrivalled stamp of quality. From its
creation in 1903, it is now recognised globally as a business super
brand – whose independent testing has become the benchmark
in product quality and compliance.
The Kitemark, in our view, is so valuable for two reasons.
Firstly, unlike the CE mark which certi昀椀es businesses to minimum
legal requirements, the Kitemark sets standards of compliance
that go far beyond the legal minimum.
We believe in always striving for what is best, not what is simply
permitted. And we believe the Kitemark is a 昀椀tting testament to
this ethos.
Secondly, much of the Kitemark’s rigour is rooted in its insistence
on regular testing and re-testing businesses against its exacting
standards. And in its constant monitoring and review of those
standards to ensure they remain resolutely 昀椀t for the world they operate
in. So, the Kitemark isn’t proof that a business has ‘passed a test’ – it’s
proof that a business is constantly maintaining the highest of standards
– a feat that demonstrates a deeper commitment to going above and
beyond. Our job is to keep people safe. So, our view will always remain
black and white. There can be no “that’ll do” when lives are at risk.
Acceptable isn’t ever acceptable when we know we can push for better.
And meeting standards will never be enough when we could be setting
standards.
Chinstraps: At Centurion, we believe that chinstraps should be mandatory and
that chinstraps help improve site safety. This is paramount when working in an
environment where a helmet could fall on someone below, this is particularly
important and often referred to “working at height”. If a wearer’s helmet isn’t
securely 昀椀tted, upon impact the protection levels will be comprised. If a wearer
were to be struck by an object there is a chance that the impact could knock the
helmet o昀昀 their head, this would not happen if you were wearing a chinstrap and
would provide protection against any subsequent impacts.
We test our
products to
levels above and
beyond the norm,
giving workers
the con昀椀dence to
deliver their best.
For full product information please visit: www.centurionsafety.co.uk
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