NSG Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of glass and glazing systems.
Founded in 1918, the company acquired the leading UK-based glass manufacturer, Pilkington, in June 2006 and now boasts manufacturing operations in 30 countries, sales in 130 countries and 28,000 employees worldwide.
Glass is a booming industry and global demand for it outstrips economic growth around the world. Today’s product manufacturers are using more glass in their designs, with added functionality and complexity built in.
NSG Group is founded on technological innovation and as well as developing new products it makes a significant financial investment in research and development (R&D). This effort is focused on developing new glass manufacturing processes, improving energy efficiency, reducing environmental emissions and enhancing product quality.
The company has R&D facilities located around the world and a European Technical Centre and product assembly plant is based in Lathom in the UK. In eight purpose built laboratories scientists carry out work including the development of new glass and glazing products, online coating technology, photovoltaic glass substrates, fire protection glazing, and glass quality inspection technology.
Their work usually involves the use of hazardous chemicals that could have serious consequences in the event of an accident. Often there will be single scientists lone working for lengthy periods of time. Therefore, if something happens to incapacitate a scientist, other staff at the facility must be alerted immediately so that the appropriate action can be taken.
In order to provide the best possible levels of safety, NSG Group decided to introduce a new personal protection system for its scientists and other lone workers. Dave Evans, Senior Design Engineer, was given the task of finding and implementing an appropriate solution. He comments: "I had heard positive reports about Cooper Security’s lone worker protection systems and made contact to get some advice about what would be most suitable for us. The specialist sales team couldn't have been more helpful and they were able to make a visit to the site just a few days later."
During the visit, Luke Turton, security systems specialist at Cooper Security, was able to gain a thorough understanding of the needs of the facility and the people working there. After assessing the various options, he configured a system that would offer the requisite levels of protection.
Turton explains: "Each scientist can now wear a Cooper Security 706r lone worker transmitter, which can be worn on a belt, as a wristband or as a lanyard. As well as being robust and reliable, they are powered by a lithium manganese dioxide battery and can give at least 75,000 operations over a seven-year period. The effects of chemical inhalation can be immediate and the 706r has an integral tilt switch, which means that the button does not need to be pressed to send an alert, as it can tell if a person falls to the ground unconscious."
Once transmitted an alert is sent to one of the Scantronic EXP R10 Radio Receivers that are located in the building, which in turn sends data to a Scantronic i-on160EX alarm panel. This not only sounds an audible alarm but also displays on the keypad which unit has been activated, all of which can save valuable time in a potentially life threatening situation.
"The added advantages of using the i-on160EX alarm panel are its greater radio range, remote display keypad and excellent future flexibility, all which will allow the system to be expanded in years to come," states Turton. "The system has also been configured to monitor other laboratory equipment such as freezers, boilers and test equipment and sends a signal to the office area if there is an operational fault."
Following Cooper Security’s advice, Dave Evans ordered the components, and he and his team of professional electricians installed the system themselves. He comments, ‘The system was relatively straightforward to configure, and the few minor problems encountered were resolved quickly with the help of Cooper Security’s team of experts. They even offered to do an additional site visit to help us commission the system if we needed it – just one example of the excellent service and support we received throughout the entire process.’
Although the system has fortunately not been called into action yet, this added layer of security provides NSG Group’s scientists with significant peace of mind that if the worst does happen, assistance will soon be on hand.
