A first for Offaly as Grennan’s welcome Portwest’s Farm Safety Personal Protective Equipment Centre

 

J. Grennan and Sons has welcomed the first Portwest farm safety personal protective equipment centre in Offaly to their Rath agri-store.

We know that PPE is not the primary solution to reducing work place accidents and fatalities, but it certainly is part of the solution. We are working hard to help influence behavioural changes amongst the farming community on this front.

Employing almost 115 people across the Midlands, the family owned and run agri-trading business will continue their roll out of the Farm Safety Centres in their five remaining stores in Kilcormac, Tinnycross, Moate, Rosemount and Moyvore over the coming months.

Our farm safety centres come as part of the launch of our X Range Clothing which was developed here in our Westport Head Office. Many months of research were dedicated to the X Range and Farm Safety Centres which we heavily invested in.

“We have been manufacturing work-wear and PPE for the work-place environment for over 100 years. With over one in ten Irish farms reporting a farm accident annually, we felt an onus to specifically develop and promote products specifically designed for safety and comfort of farmers.  As a manufacturer of work-wear and personal protective equipment based in rural Ireland, we are committed to playing our part in reducing incidents and fatalities occurring on Irish farms.“ says Catriona McNally,  Product Developer with Portwest

WHY IS PPE ON THE FARM SO IMPORTANT?

Many farm injuries can be prevented or their impacts minimised if farmers are wearing the correct personal protective equipment. The Irish company identified a disparity in the levels of awareness which those working in agriculture have towards ensuring proper work-wear is worn at all times on the farm to support promotion of a culture of safety. They found that farmers do not pay heed to necessary safety features in clothing such as;

•  Wearing clothing that has flaps or draw-cords that increase the likelihood of getting a garment caught in machinery
• Ensuring garments have some reflective elements to increase an individual’s visibility
• Respiratory protection against inhalation hazards such as pesticides, heavy dust and gases
• Hearing protection to avoid aural damage during high-pitched or loud noise level activities
• Adequate feet protection that ensures protection against incidents of potential danger to the feet such as falling or rolling objects, chemical or liquid exposures, sharp objects or where feet are exposed to potential electrical hazards

We liaised with Farm Agencies in Ireland throughout the product development process and the garments, designed to meet the specific demands of the farming environment, have been fully certified in line with the most up to date European legislation.

We’re proud that J Grennan & Sons are the newest Farm Safety Centre stockists as they have been involved in farming and agri-trading for many generations. They are now one Ireland’s leading importers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of farm inputs in Ireland. Everyone is entitled to avail of workwear tax relief and all farmers should avail of this so just ask in any of Grennan’s stores for more information and advice on your farm workwear.

Portwest Farm Safety products are available J Grennan and Sons in their Rath, Kilcormac, Tinnycross, Moate, Rosemount and Moyvore stores. Along with Glanbia and Dairygold stores nationwide.

Creating Cultures of Work-Place Safety

Here at Portwest we have been designing, developing and manufacturing purpose made Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for the oil and gas industries for many years. Each product is individually considered and underpinned by one primary value; to influence a culture of health and safety standards designed to reduce risks for workers.

In recent times, there has been a big push for workers,  from the port handlers to the transport lorry drivers,  who come into contact with oil, gas or fuel to wear flame resistant and anti static PPE clothing.

Ensuring your employees and colleagues are wearing the correct protective clothing can go a long way towards helping reduce the risk of accidents. This is particularly important for hazardous environments that have potential for devastating risks such as the oil/fuel industry.

Naturally, if rigorous safety procedures are adapted, the likelihood of a risk is reduced, ensuring to protect the individual safety of your most valuable assets, the people who make up your work-force. Here is a check list of some important information we have put together to help you influence a culture of workplace safety.

SMALL STEPS FOR BIG CHANGES: For companies committed to working towards operating within one the world’s safest oil and gas industries, ensuring the individual safety of their workers is a sensible place to start.

All companies are obliged to adhere to the recommended EU Health and Safety Standards, and here at PORTWEST, CHARLES HUGHES LTD, we take our customers’ needs and their employees into consideration. We want you to truly understand the value and necessity of ensuring your PPE is tried, tested and trusted.

Frontline workers in the oil and gas industry face a life-threatening hazards every day. In August 2014, a report revealed that almost 30 per cent of workers in the oil and gas, drilling and pipeline construction industries displayed signs of noise-related hearing loss.

Here is our PPE guide detailing the uses and reasoning behind some essential PPE products that work towards reducing the risk of lethal accidents, person by person.

THE PORTWEST WAY

Frontline workers in the oil and gas industry face a number of life-threatening hazards from chemical to environmental every day they clock into work. It is essential that workers have strong protection against all potential risks.

Feeling comfortable and let’s face it, confident in protective work wear is also key to the products we design, develop, test, test, test and manufacture. But, influencing a culture of safety is number one.

There is a minimum requirement as to what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn by all employees working in these facilities.

THE ABSOLUTE MUSTS

 

• All outer clothing worn in operating areas of their facilities must be flame resistant or flame retardant, made from anti static fabric and CE marked.

• Outer clothing must cover the torso, upper and lower limbs, meet (or exceed) the requirements of EN471 Class 3 and has hi visibility reflective stripping and must have hi visibility and reflective stripes in trousers.
• Clothing worn under flame resistant / retardant clothing must be made of non-combustible fabric or natural fibre which will not melt if exposed to heat.
• Glove type must be selected in accordance with procedures, risk assessment and good work practices while safety footwear must have steel toecap protection with oil/chemical resistant anti-static and slip resistant
• In addition, any individual who may have reason to enter into a switch room must wear clothing which provides arc flash protection and in certain instances an arc flash protective suit may be required.

We manufacture our products to all of these requirements to reduce the risk of lethal exposure to workers in the oil and gas industry.

You can view through some of PPE and workwear products here on www.portwest.ie. Our Department of Product Developers are also on hand to field any of your questions.

FEEDBACK: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Your day to day encounters are what influence our ideas and decisions when it comes to developing products specifically for your industry. Get involved in part of the process by feeding us with what you would like to see on the market to more adequately meet your needs

If you are unsure about whether a product you are currently using meets the necessary certified safety standards, you can get in touch with us.

@PortwestIreland

This is not an exhaustive guide to to PPE and safety for the oil and gas industry and is no substitute for safety training. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions, which should be found in the owner’s manual.

Copyright © 2016 PORTWEST,CHARLES HUGHES LTD, All rights reserved.

Portwest sponsors The Achill half Marathon

The Achill Half Marathon & 10K race takes place on Saturday 4th July 2015 and is organised by Achill Event Management in association with Achill Tourism, the local tourist office on Achill Island, Co. Mayo, in the west of Ireland.

The charity for the 2015 Achill Half Marathon and 10K is the Irish Cancer Society. Portwest are delighted to be a prize sponsor for the event especially as it is for such a worthy cause!

From country chic to city ready with Portwest!

This week, Portwest featured in a great article in the Kilkenny People with some great shots from our latest collection! The article perfectly captures Portwest’s specially created Heritage Collection of outdoor clothing designed for women who are seeking to go from country chic to city ready in an instant!

The beautifully crafted Portwest Heritage Collection is designed with the tough elements of country life in mind with all garments incorporating a wealth of signature Portwest features such as breathable waterproof fabrics, beautifully checked lining interiors and tailored fits. The classic collection includes wax jackets, quilted jackets, fleeces, rain macs and much more! To read the article in full check out www.kilkennypeople.ie (registration required).

Portwest’s presence strongly felt at Hardware Show 2015

Portwest’s presence was strongly felt at the Hardware Show 2015 with national newspapers such as the Irish Examiner, the Irish Independent and the popular business website businessandleadership.com all picking up on Portwest’s strong performance over the past eight months. Indeed, Portwest’s attendance at the trade show marked a strong upturn in the Irish Trade Industry, having seen sales in work-wear and high-visibility lines of products soar by over 50%.

Portwest sales rocket on back of construction sector growth

The Irish Independent report how Portwest has more than just weathered the economic storm of recent years and have in fact gone from strength to strength with increased turnover from €10m to €100m since 2010, even as Ireland was in the doldrums.  Run by three brothers from Westport, Cathal, Harry and Owen Hughes, the company employs over 2,000 staff worldwide and has offices in Ireland, the UK, Poland, Germany, Dubai, China, Bangladesh and the US.

Pictured are Rachel Davoren and Martin Foran, Portwest at the 2015 Hardware Show in The Conference and Event Centre Hotel, Citywest Hotel, Co.Dublin.

“Events such as the Hardware Show are indicative of the positive markers out there in this sector. Throughout the years we have built a very loyal customer base and to see this begin to expand here at home is fantastic. Portwest is an Irish company to the core and while it’s great to be known worldwide as leader in the sector, it’s better for everybody for this to happen on home turf,” said Owen Hughes.

‘Valentine’s Giveaway’ and this weekends ‘Flash Sale’!

Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

For this year’s Valentine’s we have a fantastic giveaway for one lucky Portwest customer. By simply entering our Facebook Competition here, you can be in with a chance to win the new and very popular PL38 Chelsea Jacket. All you need to do is simply ‘Like & Share’ the post and you may become the winner of this coveted prize. Entries to the competition are growing by the minute so don’t miss out! If you are not in you can’t win!

Flash Sale this Valentines Weekend!

To celebrate this Valentine’s weekend 2015, we will have a 20% off flash sale on all leisurewear items on portwest.ie from Friday 13^th to Sunday 15^th February. With a wide range of men’s, women’s and children’s leisurewear available, we have the highest quality products in waterproof jackets and waterproof  trousers, fleeces, body warmers, quilted and wax jackets, hoodies and sweatshirts and much more.

Visit www.portwest.ie!

Chainsaw Protective Clothing Tips

Chainsaw Protective Clothing Tips

Felling timber and using chainsaws is one of the most dangerous tasks carried out on farms and in forests. Training in chainsaw use and the wearing of protective clothing to protect against these injuries is essential. It is very important that suitable protective clothing and equipment should be worn when using a chainsaw, no matter how small the job. With self-employed farmers and contractors particularly at risk, modern personal protective equipment (PPE) from Portwest.ie is easy to wear, long-lasting and could prevent death or serious injury. It should be noted however, that PPE cannot provide complete protection against cuts from chainsaws.

A head protection kit (that conforms with EN397) is recommended, and will protect your eyes against flying splinters and chips. Because a power saw is noisy, a head protection kit includes hearing protectors. Specialist Chainsaw gloves and hard-toe shoes will help protect limbs that might come into contact with the chain. Do not wear slippery shoes or baggy clothing that could catch in the brush and cause you to fall. A Chainsaw bib & brace, Chainsaw trousers and a Chainsaw Jacket are advisable while always make sure to watch your footing while working in the woods.

In summary, the following safety equipment should be available and used:

Safety Head Protection:

Chainsaw Gloves

Chainsaw Trousers

Chainsaw Jacket

Chainsaw Bib&Brace

Simply log on to http://www.portwest.ie to purchase your chainsaw protective equipment at great prices.

Meet the brothers behind Portwest!

This week, the Hughes brothers appeared in the Farmer’s Journal ‘Irish Country Living’ with a fantastic article on Portwest’s expansion in recent years, the range of products sold and the background to this family run business in rural Ireland. Editor Mairead Lavery made the trip to Portwest HQ in Westport and pays high compliments to the history of Portwest and the people who have taken it to where it is today! Irish Country Living reaches almost 300,000 readers every week and this article is a must read! Please click here to read in full (registration is required).

January Sale

As we are over half way through the month of January, we would like to remind our customers of our on-going fantastic January sale with 25% off everything on www.portwest.ie. Don’t be the one to miss out on this great offer with top of the range workwear, personal protective equipment, safety footwear and outdoor clothing all available to purchase at great prices.  With snow, sleet, rain and hail all on the way in coming weeks, we have the very best in waterproof and wind resistant workwear and outdoor clothing to help you beat the elements!

Get a Grip – Don’t slip up with Portwest Ice Grips

Get a Grip – Don’t slip up with Portwest Ice Grips

The risk of slips, trips and falls on snow and ice can be very high in these slippery underfoot conditions. Ice grippers on footwear can help you walk on hard packed snow and ice and help you to stay safe this winter on icy pavements. Walking to and from car parks or between buildings this week requires special attention to avoid slipping and falling so check out our range of anti slip footwear and ice grips by clicking here.

It is also important to keep these important safety tips in mind:

1. When walking. approach with caution and assume that all wet, dark areas on pavements are slippery and icy.
2. Walk in designated walkways as much as possible. If on a hill, you may need to walk along its grassy edge for traction.
3. Bend slightly and walk flat-footed with your centre of gravity directly over the feet as much as possible.
4. Extend your arms out to your sides to maintain balance.
5. If you are carrying, try not to carry too much and leave your hands and arms free to balance yourself.
6. Keep your hands out of your pockets. Hands out of your pockets while walking lowers your centre of gravity and increases balance. You can help break your fall with your hands free if you do start to slip.
7. Watch where you are stepping and go slowly. This helpsyour reaction time to changes in traction.
8. When walking on steps always use the hand railings and plant your feet firmly on each step.
9. Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles and use the vehicle for support.
10. Take short steps or shuffle for stability. It also helps to stop occasionally to break momentum.

Oil and Gas Personal Protective Equipment

Get all your oil and gas personal protective equipment and workwear from Portwest.ie!

Frontline workers in the oil and gas industry face a number of life-threatening chemical hazards everyday and workers need strong protection against all potential risks while able to comfortably work in their protective workwear. In addition, major oil producers have already set out minimum Personal Protective Equipment that must be worn in all operating areas of their facilities:

• All outer clothing worn in operating areas of their facilities must be flame resistant or flame retardant, made from anti static fabric and be CE marked.
• Outer clothing must cover the torso, upper and lower limbs, meet (or exceed) the requirements of EN471 Class 3 and has hi visibility reflective stripping and must have hi visibility and reflective stripes in trousers.
• Clothing worn under flame resistant/retardant clothing must be made of non combustible fabric or natural fibre which will not melt if exposed to heat.
• Glove type must be selected in accordance with procedures, risk assessment and good work practices while safety footwear must have steel toecap protection with oil/chemical resistant anti static and slip resistant soles.
• In addition, any individual who may have reason to enter into a switch room must wear clothing which provides arc flash protection and in certain instances an arc flash protective suit may be required.

Portwest seeks to provide durable solutions to the above requirements that help resist and repel lethal exposure to workers in the oil and gas industry. Here are just some of the great PPE and workwear products available to purchase at great prices on http://www.portwest.ie.

FR41 Sealtex Flame Hi-Vis Jacket

FR41 Sealtex Flame Hi-Vis Jacket

 

This Sealtex Flame Hi Vis Jacket provides maximum wind, rain and flame protection with heat applied EN471 reflective tape for added visibility, 2-way plastic moulded zip and stud adjustable cuffs.

Standard: EN471 CLASS 3:2, EN ISO 14116 INDEX 1/5H/40, EN343 class 3:1, EN1149-5, EN13034(Type 6)           

FR43 Sealtex Flame Hi-Vis Trousers

FR43 Sealtex Flame Hi-Vis Trousers

The Sealtex Flame Hi Vis Trouser also provides wind, rain and flame protection with heat sealed EN471 reflective tape for added visibility.

Standard: EN471 CLASS 1:2, EN ISO 14116 INDEX 1/5H/40, EN1149-5, EN13034, EN343 class 3:1

FR11 FR Antistatic T-Shirt

FR11 FR Antistatic T-Shirt

High quality construction and premium materials set our Flame-Retardant Anti Static Long Sleeve T-Shirt aside from its competitors.

Standard: EN11612 A1 B1 C1, EN1149-5, MODAFLAME™ KNIT 200g

FR12 FR Antistatic Sweatshirt

FR12 FR Antistatic Sweatshirt

Ideal for workers exposed to heat in their working environment. Features on this garment include raglan sleeve, round neck, ribbed collar and cuffs, making it comfortable and easy to wear.

Fabric and Standard: MODAFLAME™ KNIT 300g, EN11612 A1 B1 C1, EN1149-5 , Gost-R Certified.

FR14 FR Antistatic Leggings

FR14 FR Antistatic Leggings

Designed for cooler conditions to keep the wearer warm, comfortable and safe. Elasticated waistband allows freedom of movement and the ribbed hem cuffs help trap in heat.

Fabric and Standard: MODAFLAME™ KNIT 200g , Gost-R Certified, EN11612 A1 B1 F1, EN1149-5 ASTM F1959 APTV = 4.3 CAL/CM2

FR79 Bizflame Multi Arc Hi-Vis Jacket

FR79 Bizflame Multi Arc Hi-Vis Jacket

Features include a flame resistant lining on hood and body, concealed mobile phone pocket and concealed chest pockets

Fabric: 80% cotton, 19% polyester, 1% Anti Static Carbon Fibre twill, 2 layer PTFE lamination with PU coating, fluorocarbon finish, 320gm.

Standard: EN ISO 20471 CLASS 3, EN61482-1-2 CLASS 1, EN1149-5, EN ISO 11611 CLASS 2 A1+A2, EN ISO 11612 A1+A2 B1 C1 E2, EN 13034(TYPE 6), EN343 CLASS 3:3

FR71 Bizflame Antistatic Vest

FR71 Bizflame Antistatic Vest

Features include 5cm wide silver reflective strips, two around the body and one over each shoulder. Lightweight and comfortable, this vest is perfect for working in warm temperatures.

Fabric and Standard: Made from 98% Polyester, 2% Carbon Fibre 120g. EN471 Class 2:2, EN ISO 14116 Index 1/12H/40, EN1149-5

FW11 Steelite Thor Boot S3

FW11 Steelite Thor Boot S3

This Steelite safety boot has a 200 joule steel toecap, steel midsole, a dual density PU/TPU sole. The full grain leather provides a water resistant barrier so feet stay drier and comfortable all day. Also includes anti static & slip resistance sole and is oil/chemical resistant.

Fabric & Standard: Full Grain leather, EN ISO 20345:2004 + A1:2007

PW21  Indirect Vent Goggles

PW21 Indirect Vent Goggles

This chemical splash goggle features vent caps to restrict the influx of liquids and dust. The tough polycarbonate lens protects against impacts up to 270 mph. The soft flexible frame and adjustable head band provide comfort and flexibility, complying to EN166 1B EN166 1B AS Polycarbonate.

PW97  Climbing Helmet

PW97 Climbing Helmet

Lightweight and ventilated helmet for workers at height. High wear comfort and secure through the ergonomically formed shell. The six point ratchet adjustable harness uses Nylon suspension for wearer comfort. Supplied with Y chin strap.

Standard: EN397ABS

Visit http://www.portwest.ie for even more great workwear and PPE products.