Sperian combines under Honeywell and launches new descender device

Honeywell is combining Sperian Protection with Honeywell Safety Products to form a single global personal protective equipment business. The combined business will be called Honeywell Safety Products and will continue to be part of the Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions Life Safety business.

William Hayes, formally president of Honeywell Safety Products has been named president of the combined entity. He said, "Together, we will remain laser-focused on our customers' needs. With a full range of 'head-to-toe' safety products and solutions, Honeywell Safety Products will provide unmatched offerings to help drive value for our customers."

Mark S Levy, president and chief executive officer of Honeywell Life Safety said, "Bringing together Honeywell Safety Products and Sperian Protection creates a dynamic business well-positioned to be the best global personal protective equipment provider in the industry. The integration of these world class leaders will allow us to offer our customers the best solutions, and further capitalise on opportunities presented by this high-growth market."

Last week in London Miller by Sperian launched a new descender and lifting device, called SafEscape ELITE, designed to operate reliably in even the harshest conditions including wet weather and low temperatures and comply with the new EN 341:2008 standard for rescue devices. SafEscape ELITE is a solution to the problem of rescuing persons who have had an accident while working at height, and of evacuating people in an emergency from high working places.

Falls from height are still responsible for too many worker's deaths so the need to enhance safety for those working at height is clear. In addition, developments such as the growth in use of wind turbines are increasing the need for working at height, often in exposed conditions. It is to address these challenges, and also in response to the EU-OHSA's safe maintenance campaign, that Miller by Sperian launched SafEscape ELITE.

SafEscape ELITE complies with EN 341:2008, which sets out exacting tests for rescue devices. These include 8000 m descent (16 x 500 m) for 100kg load, maximum descent height of 500 m, and suitability for use in an emergency by two people weighing up to 250 kg.

Like all descender and lifting devices, SafEscape ELITE is intended for use only by appropriately trained persons. Nevertheless, its operation is straightforward: the position and design of the hand wheel reduces swaying during lifting, while an integral centrifugal brake ensures that descent is smooth, vibration free and, at 1 m/s, rapid. The device also has a wide operating temperature range of - 30ºC to 60ºC, allowing it to be used in all climatic conditions.

The SafEscape ELITE features robust construction and is manufactured throughout from materials that are highly resistant to corrosion and degradation. As a result, re-certification is required only after seven years. This greatly reduces both out-of-service time and total cost of ownership. In addition, where SafEscape ELITE is used for training purposes, re-certification is only needed after descents totalling 3000 m have been accumulated.

Suitable for use in rescue situations on wind turbines, antennas, high voltage transmission towers and cranes, SafEscape ELITE from Miller by Sperian is offered in three versions: without hand wheel, with hand wheel, and with both hand wheel and ladder bracket. A wide range of accessories is available, including rescue rope grabs, telescopic reach poles, work positioning lanyards and edge protectors.

Sperian also offers complete rescue kits that include a SafEscape ELITE with hand wheel and ladder adaptor, an 80 m rope, anchorage slings, karabiners, a pulley, an edge protector and a T-bar. All of the items that make up this kit are contained in a waterproof rescue bag.