Semmco Life Protection Systems (LPS) will be attending The Health and Safety Event, Birmingham NEC, 28-30 April 2026 (Stand 3/G1).

The working landscape across all industry sectors is constantly evolving, with new risks emerging from procedural changes in prisons to the use of new materials and technologies in manufacturing processes to the developments in cleaner energy and electric powered transport.

In all relevant working environments, escape breathing apparatus is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical element in preventing serious injury and fatalities. Semmco LPS designs and manufacturers short duration breathing apparatus for escape and working rescue to protect those working in confined spaces and extreme environments.

An example of how working environments can change can be seen in the prison system where prison cell fire incidents have grown in recent years. For example, in 2023 2,287 fires in prison cells were recorded with 80% of these being attributed to vape pens; at the time a relatively new phenonemon. Whilst the UK Government is committed to a programme of investment and improvement across the prison estate that includes identifying and mitigating new risks, these have increased for both prisoners and prison officers.

Semmco LPS is working with HM Prison and Probation Service to provide its HEAD RPE/CSRE (Cell Snatch Rescue Equipment) escape breathing sets to prisons across England and Wales, supported by a comprehensive programme of user training and a fully managed refurb and maintenance programme as part of the contract. With the Semmco LPS sets in place, prison officers can respond quickly and safely to incidents.

Another example of new technology presenting new challenges is the shipping and marine sector. In the worldwide response to environmental concerns, there has been a massive increase in the market for Electric Cars (EVs). Millions of these vehicles are transported from manufacturing locations to customers worldwide onboard ships. With an increased awareness of the dangers of battery fires on EV shipments, the Semmco LPS EEBD set meets all the requirements of SOLAS and the Marine Equipment Directive.

A simple, self-contained, 15 minute-duration oxygen breathing apparatus, the Semmco LPS EEBD is lightweight and easily deployed, with no fit testing required. Once donned, the wearer can immediately breathe freely in a contaminated or oxygen deficient environment and make a safe and quick escape.

In freight rail transport, the risks are highest in the moving of hazardous goods and materials. Whilst the UK rail network is mostly used for passenger transportation, freight rail is expanding across Europe as businesses seek a competitive edge to meet sustainability targets. When we look to the USA its rail services are predominantly for commercial use, transporting goods across the country, including hazardous materials.

Recent legislation changes in the USA have mandated that EEBDs be available to employees working in the cabs of freight trains transporting hazardous material “that would pose an inhalation hazard in the event of release during an accident.” Semmco LPS provides its EEBD that fully meets the provisions of the new rule, keeping railway workers safe in the event of an incident.

The HEAD and EEBD products from Semmco LPS are designed with user safety and operational efficiency at their core. Both HEAD and EEBD devices are engineered for intuitive donning, enabling workers to secure essential respiratory protection in seconds, even under pressure.

Using potassium superoxide (KO2) both designs are head worn, short duration escape sets. The products provide a constant supply of oxygen for the duration required to escape hazardous environments, crucial for sectors where immediate evacuation routes may be compromised.

To support business growth in these new sectors and meet customer demand, Semmco LPS recently opened a new manufacturing facility in Woking, Surrey to scale up its production capacity with dedicated production pods and a newly created service and refurbishment area for the HEAD product.

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