Occupational Health and Safety
Optimal Performance Limited (OPL) has a strong understanding of health and safety at work and has previously operated in two main areas:
Firstly, monitoring workers to ensure they are operating within safe working limits. We have measured the core body temperature of engineers and painters whilst they have been repairing roofing over an operational furnace in temperatures of 50-70 °C at Ardagh Glass factory. We provided live data to recommend safe work and rest schedules.
Secondly, collecting data to provide an evidence base to check existing or develop new health and safety policy. We have measured the performance of Emergency Service Personnel to establish appropriate work rest schedules and published guidelines for optimising their hydration. Our analysis of the role of the Environment Agency work force led to the production of reports detailing the physical and medical requirements for employment. OPL also worked with the Institute of Occupational Medicine to monitor the core body temperature of workers at one of Sellafield’s reprocessing plants to provide an evidence base for standard operating procedures when working in hot environments.
Our capabilities in this area include:
- Field and laboratory based monitoring of up to 50 individuals using our own equipment, with live feedback and/or logging of data
- A range of field and laboratory measurements including; heart rate, core and skin temperature, oxygen uptake, body composition, pulmonary function and energy expenditure. For full list and details see technical expertise page
- Writing health and safety policy documents and guidelines
Example Occupational Health & Safety projects:
Brown P, McLellan T, Linnane D, Wilkinson D, Richmond V, Horner F, Blacker S, Rayson M. (2010) Emergency Service Personnel CBRN PPE Hydration Guidelines . Optimal Performance Ltd., Bristol, UK, 19 February 2010
Carter JC, Wilkinson DM, Richmond VL, Rayson MP. (2008) Physiological Assessment of Firefighters undertaking Urban Search and Rescue. Optimal Performance Ltd., Bristol, UK, 17/2008: December 2008
Rayson MP and Wilkinson DM. (2002) The Role of the Environment Agency’s Emergency Work Force – a Physical Demands and Risk Analysis. Report to the Environment Agency, Optimal Performance Limited, Farnham, UK, 21 October 2002
Rayson MP. (2000) Dredge Sampling – a Physical Demands and Risk Analysis. Report to the Environment Agency, 10 April 2000
Rayson MP. (2000) Fish Stock Transfer – a Physical Demands and Risk Analysis. Report to the Environment Agency, May 2000
