At Shawcity we are always working with customers on a diverse variety of projects and applications due to the wide range of products and services we offer. Recently, we have seen a steady growth in demand to measure aromatic and carcinogenic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX group) in land development applications.

For the chemists and students working hard to make scientific discoveries and improvements for the future, it’s vital that their labs and work areas are safe and free from potentially harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Our UK distributor Shawcity supplied ION Science’s leading handheld VOC gas detector, the Tiger, to help monitor air quality at the University of Nottingham School of Chemistry GSK Centre for Sustainable Chemistry.

The government in the UK announced in October 2021 that they plan to invest heavily in the redevelopment of land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure but is currently disused or derelict, to help create more affordable housing. £11.5bn has been allocated for 180,000 new homes in this sector.

Shawcity is delighted to announce that the OHD QuantiFit2 fit testing system has received a national ‘Commended’ Award from the British Safety Industry Federation (BSiF) for Product Innovation in 2021.

Recent advice from the HSE states that by maximising the flow of natural fresh air in indoor spaces, the risk of COVID transmission can be reduced by up to 70%. They also recommend the use of a CO2 monitor to better understand air quality within specific areas.

Fit testing in the UK is a legal requirement for anyone who is required to wear tight-fitting RPE the first time they use a particular type of respirator, to ensure it fits correctly before it is depl ...

It is vital to maintain your instrumentation fleet to ensure it is always working as it should. Poor maintenance can jeopardize instrument performance which, in turn, could lead to potentially dangerous situations that can have consequential effects to worker safety and health.

Dosimetry is a key part of monitoring and understanding employee exposure to noise in the workplace throughout an entire working shift. By considering all of the factors including data gathered on-site in this way, the correct precautions and hearing protection can be applied and workers can carry on safely with their working day.

Compact, low-profile gas sensor technology from City Technology.

What is mercury? Mercury (Hg) is a naturally-occurring chemical element that can be found in three forms; elemental (metallic) mercury, inorganic and organic mercury. Elemental mercury is a shiny, sil ...

Shawcity is delighted to announce the launch of the new Cub personal gas detection monitor, now with an 11.7 eV lamp.

What is a fixed gas detection system?

Fixed gas detection systems are permanent installations designed to provide continuous monitoring of gas levels in a wide range of environments, from commercial premises through to heavy industrial applications. These can include breweries, automotive environments, waste control centres, multi storey car parks, chilled plant rooms, packaging, manufacturing and petro-chemical processes. Gas detection systems are designed to alert workers to potential dangers including toxic gas exposure, oxygen depletion/enrichment or an explosive risk caused bythe presence of combustible gases.

Health and Safety Never Stops, Despite Pandemic Restrictions

Health and safety across so many applications never stops in terms of providing vital products and services, no matter what the circumstances. During the pandemic, many businesses have battled to function effectively under difficult conditions, with many facing site restrictions including closure to visitors and even contractors.
These same organisations have also had the challenge of continuing to develop new projects, due to start following the lockdown period. Typically, this growth and expansion has been years in the planning, and this has been especially applicable for Shawcity and many of their customer base.

What is HAVS?

Hand-arm vibration can cause a range of conditions collectively known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) as well as specific diseases such as carpal tunnel or white finger syndrome.

Despite the severity of the condition, the reality is often that vibration is ignored in the workplace or regarded as a low priority compliance issue. In fact, monitoring is a straightforward process of collecting and understanding vibration data to protect workers from painful and permanent damage.

What is Fit Testing?

Tight-fitting respirators rely on having a good seal with the wearer’s face, to ensure that the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) will protect the wearer. Fit testing is a method for checking that a facepiece matches the wearer’s facial features and fits well enough to form an adequate seal between the wearer and the RPE.

As people’s faces vary significantly in shape and size, it is unlikely that one type or size of RPE facepiece will fit everyone. Fit testing ensures that the respiratory equipment selected is suitable for the individual wearer. An inadequate fit will significantly reduce the protection provided to the wearer, which may lead to immediate or long-term ill health or even put the wearer’s life in danger.

Shawcity is delighted to announce its latest exclusive product for the UK and Republic of Ireland markets, QuantiFit2 from OHD. The latest version of the revolutionary mask-fit tester, which uses patented controlled negative pressure (CNP) technology, is packed with improved features and benefits.

Mercury can exist in several forms in nature and is a commonly-occurring compound, but the two forms of mercury often prevalent in refineries are elemental mercury and mercury sulphide.

Elemental mercury is the shiny silver liquid that most people think of when they hear the word ‘mercury’, the type found in old-fashioned thermometers. However, it is not the most common form of mercury, and is unstable in the presence of sulphur and some sulphur compounds. When exposed to these compounds, elemental mercury will form mercury sulphide.

Shawcity was recently able to support the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service by supplying a Tiger photoionisation detection (PID) instrument to work alongside their search and rescue dog team.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) based in north west England, covers emergencies across a vast area, including house fires, road traffic collisions, chemical spills, supporting other emergency services, and even animal rescue. When they are not deployed on an incident, they also spend valuable time within the community supporting public services and giving presentations on fire safety to schools.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a wide range of natural and man-made chemicals. They are described as volatile because they have a low boiling point and evaporate readily at normal room temperature, releasing molecules into the atmosphere. They are potentially dangerous to health and the environment and can be found in a broad range of industries and locations.

Here, we identify different examples of VOCs, the personal and environmental impacts of over-exposure, as well as explore VOC monitoring solutions using photoionisation technology.

A respected and experienced health, safety and environmental director, Dawn Bolstad-Johnson has over 25 years of experience working in aviation, fire service, universities and municipal government. Am ...