Transcript Smoking
Material Safety
Noadswood Science, 2012
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Material Safety
To understand how materials are tested for safety and
whether they are ‘fit for purpose’
Markings
Look at the three motorbike helmets below – which one
would you buy?!
Would either of the symbols below, if on the back of one of
the helmets make you reconsider?!
Markings
What is wrong with this safety helmet?!
Is it fit for purpose?! It has no CE mark so you can’t be sure if
it will meet the standards a helmet requires…
Structure & Properties
Materials scientists are concerned with the design,
manufacture and use of all classes of materials including: Metals
Ceramics
Polymers
Biomaterials
They are also concerned with energy, environmental, health,
economic and manufacturing issues related to these
materials
It is their job to research the structures and properties of
materials to obtain information that could be used to make
new products or enhance existing ones…
Product Tested
Products must be tested by materials scientists for their
quality before they goal on sale – why is this?
Product testing ensures that they comply with national and
international standards and mandatory regulations that
determine formulation, biological, chemical and physical
properties
This is all to ensure they are fit for purpose safe to use!
Setting & Testing Standards
In the UK the British Standards Institute (BSI) and European
Committee for Standardization (CEN) are two organisations
which are responsible for setting and testing product
standards…
“Standards are created by bringing together all interested
parties… all parties benefit from standardization through
increased product safety and quality”
CE Mark
Products marketed in the European Community carry a CE
mark
A CE mark means the product has been tested for quality
and purpose, and that a certain standard has been met
Without this guarantee buying products such as motorbike
helmets is a major risk
* In the UK we also have the kite mark recognised and
awarded by the BSI
Markings
So why shouldn’t you buy this helmet?!
Is it fit for purpose?! It has no CE mark so you can’t be sure if
it will meet the standards a helmet requires…
Fatal?
In 2011 moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli died when his
motorbike helmet came off…
The helmet was CE marked and was of the highest quality…
but Simoncelli wore the helmet loose and undone (against
the testing recommendation) – this cost his life
Products
What products do we buy in the UK with safety standards attached
to them? Try and list 10…
Protective clothing – safety helmets, motorcycle helmets, riding
helmets, eye protection etc…
Fire safety – carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, smoke
alarms etc…
Building & construction – windows, glass, insulation, ladders, toilet
seats etc…
Vehicles – car service, windscreens, road markings, lights, garage
services
Electrical & gas – plugs, sockets, fuses, IT equipment, gas
appliances etc…
Health – surgeon’s gloves, condoms etc…
Sports – cricket balls, playground surfaces etc…
Experiment
Look at the selection of protective clothing – all the items will be
used on a construction site
Decide what properties make these items ‘fit for purpose’ and then
label them with information: When should they be used
What do they protect you from
What are they unable to protect you from
What recommendations go along with it (i.e. not suitable at night)
Are there any items here you would not recommend
to use, and if so why not…
* Make your recording clear and concise!