uvex removes Denby Pottery’s PPE concerns

Gary Pearson, Denby’s UK Group Health and Safety Manager, has been with the company for nine years and has been a customer of uvex for 15-20 years. He is responsible for health and safety implementation and management throughout the company.

One of the issues that prompted Gary to investigate uvex PPE was comfort, a huge factor at Denby. Some of its employees stand on their feet for 10 to 12 hours a day, so their footwear must fit well while providing adequate protection from fatigue and workplace hazards. “We have had numerous comfort issues – comfort is extremely important to ensure compliance,” Gary emphasises.

Another challenging area for Denby was the quality and sustainability of products, as they need to perform well to withstand the tough pottery environment, a mixture of wet and dry, where natural products that can eat away at leather shoes are used.

Last but not least was value for money. “It is a question of finding the right range at the right price,” Gary says. “The cost in use on all products has been a big issue.”

Along with other potteries, Gary took part in helping the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) review issues specific to the pottery industry as part of its updating of COSHH Essentials advice sheets. Having done so, Gary decided to review and update Denby’s range and search for improved quality and more comfortable products.

He chose uvex RPE over that of other manufacturers because of its high quality. Gary subsequently invited uvex to review Denby’s hearing protection, gloves and footwear, and the company has now switched to all of these forms of PPE after consultation and trials.

Both Gary and his workers are extremely pleased with the innovative uvex xact-fit earplugs, which are so comfortable and easy to fit accurately and which adapt perfectly to the natural shape of the ear canal, markedly reducing pressure.

Denby has a number of processes that require specialist hand protection. For example, in one glazing process employees have to manually run their hand along plates to check the glaze, which could easily result in cuts. Employees are also required to use touch screens and take stickers off machines, a job for which the uvex unidur 6613 three-open-finger glove is ideal, as it gives outstanding touch and dexterity, as well as good grip, breathability and high resistance to abrasion and tear. Denby now also takes the uvex phynomic wet and uvex phynomic wet plus safety gloves for their excellent grip in wet or oily conditions, comfort and innovation.

Comfort and innovation were again reasons why Denby chose uvex’s innovative Heckel brand of safety boots and shoes, with its hard-wearing design which withstands the rigours of demanding industrial environments. After extensive trials, Denby approved the Heckel MACCrossroad, the Heckel MACsole FXL and FXH boot and shoe and the Heckel Suxxeed range because of their supreme comfort.

As a result of buying uvex’s well-made products, Denby has a happy workforce, who are being provided with a quality product. “It is very important to us that our employees know we are investing in both safety and in them,” Gary explains. “Employees appreciate good quality and due to added comfort, seem to enjoy wearing their PPE even more.”

“The uvex brand of RPE is perfectly suited to us, as it is a lot more comfortable to wear and easier to fit than other brands. uvex RPE is also more effective and a better price considering its longevity. “We have achieved cost benefits over the long term, as one benefits from the longer life of uvex’s products due them being of such good quality, they last so well,” says Gary. “Also, it is reassuring that uvex’s PPE is made in Germany and the EU and is therefore subject to the strictest quality controls.”

It’s not only about the quality and comfort of the products for Gary. The level of expertise and specialist support they receive from uvex are also vital factors. “The support really is excellent. There is always someone at the end of the phone, someone who is prepared to come in and go the extra mile for you. It is exceptional,” he enthuses.

For Gary, uvex is the best at what it does. “I have always thought this and my first impressions have been maintained and enhanced,” he says. uvex is constantly looking at improvements and innovations to its products. “uvex listens if we have any problems with, for example, packaging or fit. A huge amount of thought goes into its products.”

According to Gary the best thing about working with uvex is its professionalism and range of products. “I am very pleased with uvex’s products and exceptionally pleased with its support services and innovation, I highly recommend uvex.”

Denby will definitely continue to use uvex products. “If we needed more or different PPE, or a new process came in, uvex would be the first company we would look to,” states Gary.

“uvex work alongside you. Nothing is too much trouble for uvex. I would like to thank uvex for its support in the past and for its continued support to us.”

www.denbypottery.com