From Glove Selection to Productivity Gains: Ansell Launches GuardianSM
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BRUSSELS, August 30 -- Ansell, a world leader in total hand protection solutions, announces the official launch of its Guardian(SM) consulting service for industrial production sites. This unique asses(SM)ent methodology, focussed on selecting the most appropriate work gloves, helps multinationals to efficiently increase worker safety. Guardian(SM) helps companies to objectively standardise references, decrease purchasing costs, reduce product cost-of-use by extending wear and even increase worker productivity through wearing gloves better matched to the task at hand.
Injury frequency rates at a key European automotive OEM supplier dropped from 64 to 5 only months after implementing Guardian(SM) assessment recommendations. Another multinational benefited from a 27.4% cost reduction when inventory was reduced due to standardisation of references and longer-lasting gloves were selected. These and other conclusive results emerged from a pilot phase of 250 assessments carried out in 50 large European companies active in automotive, OEM, chemical, and metal fabrication. Ansell has decided to launch Guardian(SM) assessments on a large scale in Europe.
Mr. Herman in het Veld, Safety Manager of GE Plastics Europe, explains "As part of GE's global initiative on hand injury prevention, GE Plastics is using the Guardian(SM) methodology to define a GE-customised glove management programme which will be implemented across multiple sites and countries." GE Plastics participated in the pilot phase and is planning to extend the Guardian(SM) assessment.
"Guardian(SM) is designed to improve worker safety, but selecting comfortable gloves fitting like a second skin and with the correct grip can considerably enhance worker performance. This in turn leads to higher company output." explains Werner Heintz, Senior Vice-President and Regional Director Europe for Ansell Healthcare. "That's why gloves should be seen not only as personal protection but as a tool to enhance productivity. A Guardian(SM) asses(SM)ent can help large sites reach these objectives."
The Guardian(SM) assessment methodology and data have been optimised for workstation requirements in the following industries: automobile production, metal fabrication, automotive OEM and chemicals. For industries not covered, Guardian(SM) experts redirect clients to an Ansell representative who will offer personalised assistance to determine the most appropriate gloves for the applications in question (in certain cases Ansell salespersons are certified Guardian(SM) experts). The Guardian(SM) consulting service is available in all European countries; reports are generated in 13 languages. The assessment results are international, and can be used to compare and consolidate requirements on regional, national or global. Selected automotive producers have started sharing the results of their Guardian(SM) assessments with their insurers, and obtained reduced risk premiums.
Guardian experts will be available to answer any questions you may have at the Ansell stand Hall 6 - J31, during the A+A fair held in Dusseldorf, Germany from 18 - 21 09 2007.
Guardian(SM) is a registered service mark of Ansell Ltd.
Guardian(SM) is empowered by SafetyNet(TM)
SafetyNet(TM) is a registered trademark of Ansell Ltd.
About Ansell:
Ansell Limited is a global leader in barrier protective products. With operations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the natural latex and synthetic polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell operates in three main business segments: Occupational Healthcare, supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare professionals; and Consumer Healthcare, supplying condoms and consumer hand protection. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at www.ansell.eu.
For information about Guardian(SM) or about Ansell, please contact: http;//www.ansellguardian.eu
http://anselleurope.com/ansell/ansell-healthcare-news/ansell-healthca
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Contacts: Wouter Piepers, Communications Director EMEA, tel: +32-2-528-75-68, cellular: +32-478-33-56-32, wpiepers@ansell.eu; David Staniforth, Director Consulting Services EMEA, tel +32-2-528-7485, cellular: +32-495-120-515, dstaniforth@eu.ansell.com
