News and Updates

Arco has added its weight to the calls for inclusivity in workplace PPE.

The UK's leading safety provider has declared its support for SHP's Protection for Everyone campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the issues around ill-fitting PPE.

The SHP campaign is part of a wider drive for equality in PPE provision, with a particular focus on ensuring suitable PPE is available for women.

John Magee, Arco's chief operating officer, said:

"At Arco, our core purpose is to help keep people safe at work, and by this we mean all people. Ill-fitting PPE is not only uncomfortable, it can also be unsafe.

"Our product range currently includes female-fit options in all major product groups, including workwear, casualwear, outerwear, hi-vis and flame-retardant clothing, either under the Arco brand or from our proprietary partners.

"But inclusivity doesn't just mean clothing for women, and we also provide religious, maternity and menopause clothing, with more products coming to market every year.

"As we continue to develop our inclusive PPE offer, we are also working to make these options more visible and accessible to customers."

As part of its public affairs strategy, helping to shape the UK's health and safety agenda, Arco also recently gave its support to MP Emma Hardy in bringing the issue to Parliament.

Tabling the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Protected Characteristics) Bill, the MP for Hull West & Hessle referenced SHP's campaign, and Arco's support.

Emma Hardy said:

"Arco, based in my constituency of Hull West and Hessle, a leading UK provider of health and safety products and PPE, recognises the need for change and is fully supportive of the campaign to improve inclusivity in PPE."

See Arco's range of women's clothing and PPE

Arco Professional Safety Services has launched its new website, making it easier for customers to access essential safety services, information and equipment.

As well as a more modern look and feel, the site offers better user navigation and a smoother experience on mobile devices.

Key improvements of the new website include:

Expert Advice

Easier access to consultancy advice, training, support services and equipment across Arco Professional Safety Services' areas of expertise, including working at height, confined spaces and respiratory protection.

Training

Improved search and enhanced filtering options to help customers find the right courses, as well as a more efficient booking system.

Equipment Shop

A better shopping experience with improved product search and filtering, making it easier to find and purchase safety equipment.

Equipment Hire

More information on the equipment available to hire and the option to hire directly from the website, a feature that was not available on the previous site.

Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"This new website provides a seamless and intuitive platform for our customers to access our essential safety services and resources with ease.

"The team has been hard at work on the site behind the scenes, and we're thrilled that customers can now enjoy the many improvements it offers."

Existing customers will be asked to reset their passwords when signing in to the new site for the first time. All other existing sign-in details will remain the same.

Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage complex and high-risk, high hazard scenarios.

Visit the new website: Arco Professional Safety Services

Arco has given its support to MP Emma Hardy as she urged Government ministers to ensure inclusivity in workplace PPE.

In the House of Commons last week, the MP for Hull West & Hessle tabled the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Protected Characteristics) Bill, which would put the onus on employers to ensure PPE provided to people with certain protected characteristics is suitable for their needs.

As part of Arco's public affairs work, which aims to influence the national health and safety agenda, we supported Ms Hardy in bringing the issue to Parliament.

Arco fully supports the drive for more inclusivity in PPE. Our core purpose is to help keep people safe at work, and this means all people. Ill-fitting PPE is not just uncomfortable, it can also be unsafe.

Addressing the House of Commons, Ms Hardy said: "momentum for change is building" and referred to Arco's support for the campaign.

Emma Hardy said:

"Arco, based in my constituency of Hull West & Hessle, a leading UK provider of health and safety products and PPE, recognises the need for change and is fully supportive of the campaign to improve inclusivity in PPE."

Mims Davies, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said the Government "entirely supports the assertion that personal protective equipment issued to workers should be inclusive and meet individual needs".

Read the full transcript of the debate at Inclusive PPE - UK Parliament and learn more about the Chartered Institute of Building's PPE that Fits campaign.

Shop our range of Women's PPE

Learn more about our commitment to help shape the UK's safety agenda

Filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators can be cup-shaped or fold-flat depending on the wearer's preference and are used in situations where they need to seal around the face, to prevent the inward leakage of harmful substances.

Research by the HSE has shown that the effectiveness of respirators/masks, which are designed to fit tightly on the face (RPE), cannot be assured when they rely on ear loops, instead of head straps – even if they're used with clips or 'snuggers' – so at Arco we have long advised against their use.

The Department of Business and Trade Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) puts regulations in place to protect people from unsafe and non-compliant products and ensures consumers and businesses can buy with confidence. It has therefore now imposed a Restriction on tight fitting, half face masks, which means to be compliant with the PPE Regulations* you need to make sure your FFP face masks don't use ear loops to hold them in place.

Airborne particles in the workplace may be small, but they can lead to huge respiratory problems for your workforce. With around 19,000 new cases of breathing or lung problems reported annually it's vital to ensure your respiratory protection is airtight. If you are already purchasing your FFP face masks from Arco you can be fully reassured that they will only feature straps which sit behind the head.

When selecting face masks, it's important to pick the correct Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) for your workplace hazards, but anyone wearing tight-fitting facepieces must also be face fit tested. This test ensures their mask fits correctly, a tight seal is achieved and so provides the expected level of protection.

At Arco, we have the expertise to ensure your respiratory management is airtight, and as your expert partner provide analysis and insight on the latest industry developments to help you to keep your business safe. Arco is a market leader in providing respiratory management solutions, that also includes consultancy and risk management support, workplace air monitoring, face fit testing, lung function tests and much more.

Click here to read more expert advice on selecting respiratory protection.

*The Department for Business and Trade Notice states that the EN 149:2001 + A1:2009 standard does not satisfy the essential health and safety requirements as defined in Annex II to Regulation 2016/245 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (as incorporated into UK law) as regards this type of product and should therefore be published with restriction and the extent of the presumption of conformity does not cover the respirators/masks which rely on ear loops.

Change to our website sign in process

We have now upgraded our website security which means that if you have an arco account, the way that you sign in will change, though your existing username and password will remain the same.

Previously you entered your sign in details into the main drop-down box on our website as shown in the top image.

Now, when entering your sign in details into a drop-down box, you simply click ‘sign in’ and will be automatically directed to a new secure sign in page to enter your details, as shown in the image to the right.

These changes will help ensure your sign in experience remains secure. If you have any difficulty signing in, or need to obtain sign in details, please visit our update login help page here.

Change to forgotten password process

If you forget your Arco password, our new process allows you to reset it online by using a unique code that we will send directly to the email associated to your account. Enter it into the website and then select a new secure password to continue shopping with us. As shown in the image to the right.

As a quick reminder, we are unable to give passwords over the phone and Arco will never ask you to disclose your password at any time.