At Rolls-Royce’s Derby plant, Michelle Mackay has responsibility for safety eyewear for between 80 and 100 workers.
The company policy was recently changed so that everyone on the shop floor, whether working with machinery or simply visiting, has to wear safety spectacles. At first, however, there was a high level of complaints about the spectacles provided, with workers reporting a range of problems, including headaches and dizziness, and claiming that they found the glasses difficult to work in because they misted up, or gave them distorted vision.
The solution to these problems came about at a Rolls-Royce health and safety roadshow, where Michelle met 3M’s Martin Cook, who showed her the company’s range of safety eyewear. She said: “I got into a discussion with Martin about the difficulties we were experiencing with our existing spectacles. Rather than simply recommending an alternative, he suggested that we organise an eyewear ‘clinic’ on site so that we could get the shop-floor people themselves involved in finding a solution to the problems.”
Back at Derby, Michelle arranged for a number of her team to meet Martin for a round-table discussion of all of the issues they had with the safety spectacles they were using. They explained their various likes and dislikes, and then tried a variety of 3M safety eyewear. The feedback from the meeting was collated and a core range of 3M products was identified for trials.
Said Michelle: “The initial reaction to the 3M products was very good but it’s one thing just to try on spectacles and quite another to wear them all day, every day in the work environment. Only time can tell, so the opportunity to give the spectacles a proper trial was extremely useful.
“At the end of a week, we didn’t have a single complaint – quite the opposite, in fact – the lads wearing the 3M spectacles were singing their praises. They reported that they were comfortable to wear and that they could see clearly in them to work.”
Explaining his approach to Rolls-Royce’s problem, Martin Cook said: “One of the key challenges facing anyone with responsibility for PPE is gaining the acceptance of the personnel who have to use the equipment concerned, as resistance to a particular choice will make enforcement all the more difficult.
“With eyewear, in particular, the wrong choice can actually impair performance and potentially cause accidents, which is what Michelle was finding with her team. However, by consulting with the people who have to wear the spectacles, offering them input into the decision-making process, and enabling them to try out a selection of products, you can reach a solution that meets with everyone’s approval.”
Michelle added: “The eyewear clinic was just what we needed, and Martin couldn’t have been more helpful. We no longer have complaints about safety spectacles and our personnel have a choice of eyewear that is both stylish and functional.”
For further information, visit www.3M.co.uk/ohes e-mail ohesuk@mmm.com or call 08705 360036.
