PPSS move manufacturing of highly acclaimed cut resistant fabric Cut-Tex PRO to UK'

The manufacturing of Cut-Tex® PRO cut resistant textile has been moved from Pakistan to England. These steps have been taken in order to guarantee the fabric’s excellent quality and highly respected performance levels.

Cut-Tex® PRO cut resistant fabric is offering the following protection levels:

• ISO 13997:1999 blade cut resistance level 5 (the highest possible)
• EN 388:2003 blade cut resistance level 5 (the highest possible)
• ASTM F-1790 level 4
• EN 388:2003 tear resistance level 4 (the highest possible)
• EN 388:2003 abrasion resistance level 4 (the highest possible)

Cut-Tex® PRO now offers even further improved blade cut resistance of 27.8 Newton, as well as extraordinary tear and abrasion resistance, making it the ideal fabric to manufacture protective clothing.

Police, prison, private security, mental health care professionals, and industries, such as glass handling and metal pressing are already benefiting from protective clothing made out of this great new fabric.

Please view our Cut-Tex® PRO Presentation

Cut-Tex® PRO cut resistant raw fabric is now available to specially licensed manufacturers around the world. PPSS Group welcomes any enquiries with immediate effect.

Being UK based and supporting this country’s economy in this difficult financial climate was another factor close to our hearts, and made us believe this was without a doubt the correct business decision.

Cut-Tex® PRO is a registered trademark of UK based PPSS Group.

Cut-Tex® PRO is available for purchase form 15th October 2011 subject to strict licensing conditions.

Should you have any questions in reference to Cut-Tex® PRO please feel free to contact PPSS Group on +44 (0) 845 5193 95 email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com

My new blog !!!!!

Dear All

Please note that I have now moved my blog to: http://www.ppss-group.com/blog/

It would be great to see you there.

Take care of yourself.

Kindest

Robert

Cut Resistant Sweatshirts

Cut Resistant Sweatshirts

Cut resistant sweatshirts and sleeves have been developed following thousands of cut related injuries at the workplace around the world.

After cut resistant gloves have been available for a number of years now, companies such as UK based PPSS decided to look into the development of a cut resistant fabric, which could be used in order to design cut resistant sweatshirts, sleeves, arm guards and even boiler suits (coveralls) in order to protect factory worker within metal pressing, glass handling and similar industries.

It is with regret that cut injuries continue to be among the highest incidents for lost work time and indemnity costs among metal pressing companies, glass handling and other manufacturers. Providing our workforce with high quality and durable cut resistant sweatshirts and sleeves can effectively protect their upper bodies from potentially horrendous cut injuries.

It would of course be a relatively simple procedure to protect against cuts and abrasions if it were not for the issue of mobility, flexibility and comfort. A solid steel sweatshirt would provide great protection but would keep the worker from being productive. Because we want, not only to protect the worker but also to allow him to continue to do the work he is doing with a minimum of discomfort and mobility restriction. For this reason we have found ourselves, over the years, trying to develop different cut resistant fibres and materials that will restrict movement to a minimum and yet still provide the best possible protection.

Leather for example was, for years, the best protection against cut related injuries but the best protection called for thicker leather which left the users with a minimum of dexterity and virtually no sensitivity. Other fabrics and more technical fibres, developed over the years have increased dexterity and allowed for more flexibility without compromising protection.

In June 2010 PPSS Group officially launched their BS EN 388:2003 blade cut resistance level 5 cut resistant fabric Cut-Tex PRO, with the clear intention to reduce the risk of cut related injuries at work. During the development process of Cut-Tex® PRO, now widely regarded as one of the world's strongest cut resistant fabrics, the directors of PPSS Group attended numerous meetings with some of the industry leading companies within the above mentioned sectors. As the CEO of PPSS Group I have been a part of this meeting and been shown several images of sever cut injuries, sometimes penetrating main arteries, muscles and tendons.

With these injuries and images in mind, the first protective garment we decided to develop was our cut resistant sweatshirt with turtle neck and thumbhole. We specifically decided to add a turtle neck in order to offer previously unmatched cut protection to the neck area and also effectively protect the main carotid and aortic artery from being cut in case the wearer is coming in accidental contact with sharp metal or glass.

The thumbholes were added in order to eliminate the risk of the wrist being exposed. Many images of cut injuries we have investigated displayed deep cuts across the radial artery, leading to a quick extensive bleeding. The protection of the radial artery was paramount for us right from the start and something we received extensive support from when explaining this detail to industry experts within the glass, metal pressing/handling industry.

Cut resistant sweatshirts made out of Cut-Tex® PRO are machine washable to 40 degrees, but in order to combat cross contamination and dangerous bacteria transfer within hospital environments, Cut-Tex PRO lined garments can also be washed up to 60 degrees if necessary.

Cut-Tex® PRO lined cut resistant sweatshirts offer EN 388:2003 Blade Cut Resistance Level 5 (the highest level possible) and EN 388:2003 Tear Resistance Level 4 (the highest level possible) and come in sizing ranging from XS to XXXL.

I genuinely believe that cut resistant sweatshirts will help reduce the risk of cut related injuries at work. However, there is no doubt in my mind that effective health and safety training and the highlighting of operational hazards and risks to the workforce is of even greater importance. The matter of fact is though, that injuries will always occur as long as human being exists. Our focus or concentration can be compromised by a number of variables e.g. personal circumstances, such amount of sleep, health and how much an individual enjoys their job role.

Cut resistant sweatshirts are only a safety net… not more… but certainly not less!

Please note PPSS is also manufacturer of extremely thin and ultra light covert ballistic vests.

For further information please do not hesitate and contact us by email info@ppss-group.com or call +44 (0) 845 5193 953

Effective blunt trauma protection ignored by most body armour manufacturers

Effective blunt trauma protection ignored by most body armour manufacturers

Kicks, punches and blows during a physical confrontation can cause blunt trauma, blunt injury or blunt force trauma, all of which are types of physical trauma. Most common body armour manufacturers have ignored this risk and overlooked the potential horrendous injuries which can occur following such attacks.

Based on my own professional frontline experience and our extensive research I can only stress that an impact based assault is a more likely event here in the UK than an attack involving an edged weapon or even firearm.

Most body armour supplied to UK’s frontline professionals (this includes private security, local government enforcement, emergency services, hospital security and university security teams) offer UK Home Office certified bullet or edged weapon protection, but very much neglect the need for effective blunt trauma protection.

What level of protection is really essential for those dealing with potentially hostile members of the public?

There is of course no ‘golden rule’, as each of the previously mentioned services have different operational duties and face different operational risks and threats. However, here are some very simple, but nevertheless important common sense guidelines.

Blunt trauma related risks and other threats

The risk of private security, local government enforcement or prison officers facing an aggressor with a firearm is extremely low here in the UK. Much lower compared to other European countries or the USA.

The risk of frontline professionals facing an aggressor with an edged weapon, knife or hypodermic needle is reasonably low, but realistic here in the UK, and based on my professional opinion, frontline professionals require a reasonable level of protection from such threat.

The risk of frontline professionals being punched, kicked and thrown about whilst doing their job is high in the UK. Frontline professionals must be protected from such realistic and likely threat and body armour supplied to these professionals must considerably reduce the effects of blunt trauma by absorbing energy and distributing forces over a much larger area.

Let us look at prison officer for example. How likely is it that a prison officer will get shot? It is extremely unlikely. How likely is it that a prison officer is getting stabbed or slashed? That is certainly possible and realistic. The question how likely it is that one of these great professionals is getting beaten up or physically assaulted by a punch, kick or self made weapon must be answered with ‘high’. Should this indisputable fact not make us think very carefully when issuing body armour to our employees or colleagues?

You are already wearing body armour? Then ask yourself the question, will your body armour protect you effectively from someone punching you really hard in your stomach? Will it protect you effectively form someone kicking your rib cage when you already ion the floor? Will it protect you from someone hitting your back or spine with a blunt object? If not, then ask yourself the question “are you wearing the right body armour”?

However, many body armour manufacturers try to find around this and now use materials, such as ‘laminated Kevlar®’ and state that their body armour offer a good level of blunt trauma protection. I personally would be very careful with such claim. What does ‘good’ actually mean?

‘Good’ in my opinion is not good enough. The fact that spine and rip cage injuries and other blunt trauma related injuries can cause irreparable damage to the body, and the fact that anyone on the street is physically capable to commit such an assault makes me believe that body armour must offer excellent blunt trauma protection, not ‘good’ protection. Laminated Kevlar® is certainly not the best material out there and a body armour featuring such material will not protect you from a serious blow, kick or punch. It might well reduce the impact to a certain extend, but body armour using polycarbonate or similar high performance materials have taken blunt trauma protection to a completely different level without adding any cost.

My advice to all those who are charged with evaluating real operational risks and those charged with looking into the purchase of body armour is simple. Please ask your body armour manufacturer or supplier what level of blunt trauma protection their proposed body armour offers. What stops you from asking a simple question such as “Can I punch or kick you while you wear your own body armour?” As we say, ‘the proof is in the pudding’ and ‘actions speak louder than words’.

Issuing body armour means protecting your frontline staff from a realistic threat without going over the top and issuing protective equipment that is too bulky, heavy and uncomfortable. Body armour don’t need to be bulky, heavy, uncomfortable or aggressive looking. Technology and manufacturing capabilities have improved a lot over the past years, and so has effective blunt trauma protection.

Please call us if you have any question in reference to blunt trauma protection or visit our website.

PPSS Group | Body armour presentation at London Islington Hilton Hotel

What an event that was...

Just over a month ago we all met at the London Islington Hilton Hotel. Professionals from the prison service, private security sector, special needs schools and others decided to make their way to the Hotel, have a drink with us and witness a truly entertaining and informative presentation of our potentially live saving body armour and slash resistant clothing.

I got to stab myself with combat knives, needles, broken bottles. I even got to slash myself with razor blades, and Simon Wilson our new Head of Consultancy took place in beating me up with pipes, sharpened table frame legs and police issue telescopic batons... and he strangely enjoyed it!?

The editor of info4security, was kind enough to come along and film the entire event. You must check out their website featuring our videos click here

Some days you just feel you are on form. I think this event was certainly among the very best we have set up.

Let us know if you have any questions in reference to knife, needle or blunt trauma protection or if you would like to learn more about concealable body armor.

We are here to help you.

Please visit www.ppss-group.com

Take good care

Robert

Our Survey Confirms Paramedics Require User Friendly Body Armour

Too many paramedics and other frontline professionals are still opposed to wearing stab vests or other forms of body protection, due to simple misperception.

Many internal surveys, conducted by the UK’s Ambulance Trusts concluded that stab vests are not wanted by their frontline staff.

I strongly believes this is simply due to 'technical and design misperceptions' of body armour.

We have conducted a six months survey, questioning a number of paramedics within the UK how they feel about stab vests, and the result is absolutely clear.

Of course, there will be people doubting the efficiency of our survey. Nevertheless, we strongly believe this survey shows once again, professionals require user friendly protection.

Based on our survey, 72.8% of those completing the survey stated “stab vests, which offer blunt trauma protection, should be issued to ALL Paramedics”.

87.7% also confirmed that “paramedics should be issued with their OWN INDIVIDUAL stab vest”.

55.6% mentioned they were not aware of the latest available advances in covert stab vests, e.g. thickness, weight, concealability and wearability.

Many of these professionals still believe stab vests are 6kg heavy, one inch thick, bulky, uncomfortable, restrictive and confrontational looking. But this is now far away from the truth.

I am convinced that the majority of violent attacks on emergency services staff in the UK are not edged weapon, knife or needle related. He believes that the majority of assaults are ‘blunt trauma related incidents’.

Based on many years of frontline experience and our extensive research we know that the risk of knife or needle attacks exist, but this risk is nowhere near as high as the risk of being pushed, punched or kicked whilst on duty.

This is why we have developed concealable, ultra thin and 2.1kg light body armour that protects the wearer from any type of knife and needle, but more importantly also from punches, kicks and any type of blows.

I think it is time to ask paramedics, prison officers and other emergency services personnel the right questions and educate them in a caring and supportive manner.

Let us show them how much body armour have advanced. We fully understand the operational responsibilities and risks of ambulance personnel and our body armour reflect this understanding.

On Thursday 10th April, PPSS Group delivered a very informative public presentation, demonstrating the astonishing capabilities of their recently developed body armour, stab vests and slash resistant clothing at the London Islington Hilton Hotel. The event was attended by numerous organisations and professionals.

Aiming to clarify the common misperceptions of body armour, I have demonstrated the effectiveness and capabilities of the equipment. The two LIVE demonstrations, which saw the audience gasping for air, certainly had a huge impact and impressed all visitors.

I strongly recommends to all NHS Ambulance Trusts, Healthcare Trusts and any organisations which employ frontline professionals to re-look at the potential requirements for user friendly and lightweight covert body armour.

Should you have any questions in reference to body armour, stab vests or slash resistant clothing, then please feel free to contact PPSS Group on +44 (0) 845 5193 95 email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com

New Cut Protection Ordinary Body Armour Cannot Offer

Cut-Tex PRO, a BS EN 388:2003 level 5 blade cut resistant material is now being used to create a highly breathable t-shirt that offers unrivalled cut protection in areas ordinary body armour fail to protect.

Numerous security professionals, police officers, prison officers and other frontline professionals have suffered from cut wounds under their arms and on the sides of the upper body.

No ordinary body armour used by any of the above sectors offers protection in these areas, as commonly used materials would restrict movement and agility.

Many frontline staff by instinct will lift their arms and hands during a potential hostile situation, in order to protect the face and head.

However, we must acknowledge that this action would expose an extremely vulnerable area under your arms. A cut, injuring the auxiliary artery under your arms, can lead to rapid blood loss and even death.

This new highly breathable t-shirt is made out of Coolmax® and only features the ultra high cut resistant fabric Cut-Tex® PRO on the entire sleeves part and over the 15cm wide vertical stretch on the sides of the upper body.

Attacks on frontline professionals are occurring rather frequently in this country. One unprovoked attack on prison officers at Frankland High Security Prison in Durham, UK, in 2010 left one prison officer severely injured after one of his auxiliary arteries was slashed during the incident. He survived.

Security professionals, police and prison officers have long asked for better knife protection than the protection offered by their existing body armour or stab vests.

Our job is to offer the best possible protection from the most realistic threats. Leaving the area under your arms unprotected is ignoring the potential dangers a knife, bottle or edged weapon attack represents.

This new type of cut resistant t-shirt is extremely lightweight, comfortable and available from size XS – XXXXL. It is available with short or long sleeves.

For further information please contact PPSS Group directly. Please visit www.ppss-group.com or email info@ppss-group.com or call +44 (0) 845 5193 953