Clearview North August 2013 - Issue 141 | Page 4

fromtheeditor Despite the occasional thunderstorm we can definitely claim to have had a decent summer so far, which has proved to be very good for businesses up and down the country, giving the economy a real boost. Everything seems better in the sunshine, except of course if you’re working outside in the midday sun. If that’s the case then we offer a few tips on page 81 to help you work more effectively outdoors. There’s no denying that the summer is a peak time for the sale of certain products but installers also need to consider the effects that the warmer weather can have on product performance and TWR Trade Frames outlines what you can expect on page 55. The school summer holidays are in full flow and students up and down the country have taken up temporary employment. While this is undoubtedly beneficial to both the part-time worker and employer, if you have taken on a young person for the holidays our article on page 73 explains why its important to take extra care of young people during summer jobs. We have a heritage feature in this issue, reflecting the new developments and product launches in this area. On page 19 Roto highlights the modern benefits for period doors, while the feature continues from page 40 onwards where managing director of Masterframe, Alan Burgess, reflects on the changing attitudes towards heritage properties. On page 78 Newtwork Veka MD, John Ogilvie, explains how best practice makes perfect for installers looking to attract increasing amounts of new business. While on page 46 Marketing Director of Glass Express Midlands Ltd, Tony Milan, tells Clearview how the company’s success has led to the purchase of a new glass furnace. Last and by no means least, in our hardware and security section we address the recent spate of reports of fatalities as a result of failing from height through unsecured windows. On page 57 UAP presents its solution to this very serious problem, along with Mighton’s offering on page 60 as well that from Securefast on page 63. The letter below from Securisytle highlights the grim reality and seriousness of this matter. Becky Taylor, Editor LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, It was with great sadness that we read the headlines recently about yet another instance of falling from height due to serious health and safety breaches within a hospital environment. The case I refer to is that of Southend University Hospital, which was prosecuted on 1st July for an incident in which a vulnerable pensioner fell to his death from a third storey window after being admitted for a bladder operation. It was reported that, following surgery, the elderly patient was clearly disoriented, to the point he was moved to an individual room – with a security guard stationed outside – for, and I quote, “his own safety”. Tragically, the window in this room was only fitted with a single restrictor, enabling the patient to climb through the window and fall nine metres to the ground. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) cited the hospital’s arrangements for managing the risk of falls from windows as inadequate, having fitted only a single angle bracket restrictor, which was bent to one side on the window in question, allowing it to be fully opened. More worrying still is that this is by no means the first incident of its kind within the healthcare sector. According to figures from the HSE, in the years 2008-2011 there were 50 incidents involving falls from windows in the healthcare sector, 12 of which were fatal. Yet the simple, inexpensive measure of installing an adequate restrictor hinge would be enough to prevent injury or loss of life from a fall. The British Standard BS 8213 states that safety restrictors must be fitted to accessible openings where there is a risk of falling. These should limit movement so that a window cannot be opened initially beyond 100mm and should be releasable only by manipulation not normally possible by a child under five years. Conversely, if restrictors are fitted on windows suitable as a means of escape in face of fire, then they must not only achieve said requirements, but do so without the occupant having to spend excessive time searching for the release mechanism in the case of a fire. Additionally, Health Technical Memorandum HTM 55, contains detailed guidance on the fitting of window restrictors, with which all healthcare organisations should make themselves familiar. Hardware suppliers for healthcare projects are more than aware of the requirements involved and can advise on each project individually, so if there is any uncertainty, we are the people to contact to ensure efficient measures are put in place to prevent tragedies such as this from happening in the future. Grant Stratford, Technical Director, Securistyle www.securistyle.co.uk 4 AUG 2013 To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com