Posted By Kevin West Does anyone have any experience of PPE vending machines? Free to the person using it but requires an authorisation code or a digital pass to authorise dispensing of required PPE. Also takes a record of what PPE was dispensed, when and to whom. If person not authorised to get a type of PPE it will not be dispensed. See links below for overseas suppliers to get an idea of what I mean.: http://www.vendguard.com/index1.html http://www.sentinelvend....ditSSIMSBrochure2008.pdf Is there a UK supplier of similar equipment? What are your opinions on this type of system? As usual I can see good points and bad but would like to hear other people's opinions.

Posted By C. Wright Who would have control over who is entitled to what PPE and how often they are allowed to have them? For example if your hard hat takes a hard knock you should replace it, or working in a dirty environment constant wiping of safety glasses make them scratched and impair vision. would the vending machine allow a 2nd one to be dispensed to someone who had a new one say only a week or two earlier?

Posted By Kevin West The vending machine will let people have as many items of PPE that they need as often as they need it. So the scenarios described above are catered for (replacement for damaged PPE). The person may have to justify the reason why they took so many or took an item so many times however, when the data is analysed as to who took what and when. By knowing PPE requisition is being accurately recorded and having to justify, shall we say, "out of the norm" (when compared to others in the same workplace) usage of PPE the taking of PPE unnessasarily is reduced The reason why the vending machine may restrict items of PPE to authorised groups of people is to ensure the right PPE goes to the right people. It is a tool to help the manager manage a resource by keeping track on who is taking stock and automatically keeping track of stock numbers. It can even re-order stock automatically. By the way, I have found a UK supplier and shall be contacting them tomorrow for more information. http://www.inventor-e.co.uk/safesource.htm NB: I a not connected with this organisation in any way.

Posted By jom An Australian company is selling these and the claim their customers make great savings through reduced consumption of PPE. They say one large mine site knocked $800,000 off their PPE costs. Great twist to their story is the help they got from Jamie Oliver. Remember Jamie campaigned for healthier food in schools? UK schools got rid of their snack vending machines. This firm bought 1200 of them and is now converting them to PPE machines. They look great painted bright yellow. Clever idea. John.