Field and site managers – new uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) briefing pack

Introduction of new workwear and PPE

As part of our commitment to reaching higher and being better we asked 100 employees to trial options for our new uniforms and PPE. We listened to your feedback and responded. The new uniforms and PPE, selected by you, are now being rolled-out to all our field and site staff.

Our contractors will also wear the uniforms, demonstrating our commitment to a ‘one vision, one team, one uniform’ culture at Thames Water.

This slide deck contains: • Background on the PPE trials and feedback • Details of the new PPE • Information on additional items you can order• General care instructions• PPE minimum standards

Please set up a meeting with your team to brief them on these important changes.

Selected products were based on past trials, work

with the PPE committee,

feedback from the business and from

our current workwear / PPE

supplier.

Selected products were based on past trials, work

with the PPE committee,

feedback from the business and from

our current workwear / PPE

supplier.

Circa 100 field and contractor FTEs selected

from a wide cross-section

of the business.

Circa 100 field and contractor FTEs selected

from a wide cross-section

of the business.

Each product scored against a

number of performance

criteria.76% feedback response rate

received.

Each product scored against a

number of performance

criteria.76% feedback response rate

received.

2nd phase of trial –

alternative products and

PPE items (fire retardant items,

glasses and gloves.

2nd phase of trial –

alternative products and

PPE items (fire retardant items,

glasses and gloves. Full

commercial review

undertaken with Alliance supply chain

and contractors.

Full commercial

review undertaken with Alliance supply chain

and contractors.

Workwear and PPE trials and feedback (15 November 2013 – 16 April 2014)

Key findings

• No one product fits all situations – employees still need a choice• Request for orange rather than yellow PPE

£

Chosen standard issue kit – three main role types

• Other roles may need a mix of the above• Standard work kit will be ordered via our sizing process outside of the SAP system, and delivered

within 14 to 21 days. (dependant on specific orders, ie, for specialist footwear or medical conditions)

• Any additional item to be ordered via SAP line management sign off will be required

Role type Product Feedback score  No. items you'll receiveNon Operational Uvex safety boot 80% 1

Dickies zipped cargo trouser 87% 3 * Customer facing Premium heavyweight polo shirt 81% 3 *  Field management Navy micro‐fleece 85% 1

Navy Tecknik softshell jacket 77% 1Non flame retardant (FR) Sieon Mildura hi‐vis rain jacket 93% 1

10Field/site personnel Uvex safety boot 80% 1

Dickies zipped cargo trouser 87% 3Non flame retardant (FR) Long/ short sleeved polo shirt ‐ hi‐vis orange 82% 3requirement Navy micro‐fleece 85% 1

Sieon Dextor hi‐vis soft shell jacket 95% 1Sieon Mildura hi ‐vis rain jacket 93% 1Praybourne pulsar hi‐vis over trouser 79% 1

11Maintenance personnel and dig gangs Uvex safety boot or Top Cat matatarsal boot 80%/76% 1FR and AS requirement Portwest hi‐vis orange polo shirt ‐ long sleeved FR AS  78% 3

Sieon, Playford FR, AS hi‐vis soft shell jacket 97% 1Flame retardant (FR)  Sieon, Hedland FR, AS hi‐vis rain jacket 100% 1Anti Static (AS) Sieon, Tielson FR AS hi‐vis rain trouser or 100% 1

Sieon Matour hi‐vis orange marine trouser or 100% 393%

10

Additional ancillary items can be ordered separately via SAP

Line management sign off is required for ancillary items

Product code Product description Unit cost Comments

T10B‐T019Blue bath towel with embroidered Thames Water logo

£6.81Ancillary item ‐ needed by FTE's that need to take showers after their days work ‐ such as sewer flushers.

TK43R Orange hi‐vis long sleeved lightweight vest £5.17 PPE ‐ lighter hi‐vis option

TK41NPortwest, workwear charlotte ladies softshell jacket sizes S‐XXL

£20.21 Ancillary item

P46‐ID10 ICE TAG ‐ in case of emergency tags £2.96 ICE TAG ‐ in case of emergency tags

B903‐T019Bag kit navy ‐ Thames Water ‐ 53cm X 32cm X 26cm

£7.93 Kit bag 

QD86‐T019‐NBNavy blue boot bag Thames Water logo on side

£11.96Kit bag ‐ store and transportation of work boots / wellies ‐ to protect vehicle interiors and contain contaminants

B121SB Thermal long johns sky blue or navy £3.84 PPE ‐ cold protection

B131  Base layer performance leggings grey £5.09 PPE ‐ cold protection

C307B Black watch cap £1.35 PPE ‐ cold protection

S3 23 inch navy blue seaboot sock  £2.90 PPE ‐ cold protection ‐ boots socks

825‐00 Knee pad ‐ Impacto £12.16 PPE ‐ knee protection

P46‐S156Knee pad inserts to fit kneepad pocket trousers

£3.75 PPE ‐ knee protection

CUD‐818 Impacto kneeling mat £6.64 PPE ‐ knee protection

BB88‐N‐S‐T019Navy blue cargo beanie‐sun hat with Thames Water logo 

£5.65 PPE ‐ sun protection

R23‐W617ABGaitors with waterproof fabric and hardwearing trim

£15.75 PPE ‐ wet weather protection (res walkers only) 

TBA Riggor boot TBA TBA

General care instructions

Washing

• Before washing, always check the garments care label and follow both the washing and drying instructions

• Most good quality detergents, washing machines and fabrics are manufactured to ensure that when the care instructions are adhered to and the garment is washed according to the stated temperature and then dried as instructed; the garment will wash well and look good after each wash following numerous wash cycles

The following points should be used as guidelines for all garments:

• Before washing close all zips, undo buttons, check pockets for loose or sharp objects, flatten out collars and cuffs

• Always refer to the manufacturers label before washing• Always check to ensure the washing machine is not overloaded• Do not mix wash loads, only wash items with same care instructions together • Use a good quality detergent and only use the correct amount

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) minimum standards

Injuries such as these are avoidable…

…but only with theright protection

Personal impact of injuriesInjuries not only impact you at work, imagine how hand and arm injuries would also effect your home and social life.

Why do we need minimum standards?• To ensure adequate protection for the tasks

we undertake• To reduce numbers of injury incidents• To ensure a consistent approach on our sites

Thames Water lost time incidents – April 2013/14

• During the year ending April 2014, 89 of our colleagues suffered injuries that resulted on time off work from injuries to head, hands and eyes

• How many of these could have been avoided with the right protection?

PPE working group• Health and Safety Leadership Team led initiative to establish minimum

standards and improve safety, health and wellbeing throughout Thames Water and its supply chain

• PPE working group established in August 2013– Optimise – MITIE– Cappagh Browne JV – Mouchel– GBM JV – Vennsys– Thames Water operational teams (waste / water / network)– Thames Water trade unions in partnership

• Field trials of gloves and glasses via approximately 100 Thames Water employees in various operational environments

• Aimed to establish a set of minimum PPE standards for everyone working on Thames Water assets

PPE matrixIndicative role / activity (not an

exhaustive list)Safety

footwearHi-viz

outerwearHead

protection Gloves Eye protection

Customer Facing Activity(visiting customer premise)

NSTs, Meter readers, Sales Investigation M N/E TS TS TS

Contractors undertaking maintenance or construction activities within an office environment

M M TS TS TS

Security guards, cleaners, catering staff M TS TS TS TS

TW Operational Sites(except in designated PPE free routes)

All site personnel and contractors on Water, Wastewater or Operational Depots

M M M M M

TW Sites - Construction(except in designated PPE free routes)

Any segregated construction site within the boundary of a TW operational site

MM

(2 bar - long sleeve)

M M M

Offsite Construction(any excavation activity not on a TW site)

Repair and maintenance, external meter installations, VMR, CSL, Main laying

MM

(2 bar - long sleeve)

M M M

Offsite Non-construction(public highway or other locations not on a TW site)

NSTs, Trunk Sewers, Waste Network (non-civils) M

M(2 bar - long

sleeve)M M M

Other non-TW construction sites or premises

Developments, private workplaces, factories etc

Additional notes:

Key:M = mandatory wear - however items should be specific to the task being undertakenTS = required according to task specific assessmentN/E = not essential, unless on the public highway

1) Any change from minimum standard will require a documented site specific risk assessment, for the day of operation.2) all PPE should be specific to the task being undertaken, ie welders gloves when welding

As per the site rules of the company or principal contractor managing the site

TW Offices

Your colleagues have helped select…

A range of gloves and safety eyewear that:• Is appropriate for the tasks and risks we face in our

work• Is comfortable and easy to wear• Is compatible with the other PPE we use• Conforms with BS Standards

These are all available when required via SAP.