Semmco LPS highlights risks ahead of Health and Safety Event
Semmco Life Protection Systems (Semmco LPS), which will attend the Health and Safety Event at Birmingham NEC from 28 to 30 April 2026 at Stand 3/G1, has outlined how changing working environments are creating new risks across multiple sectors.
Semmco LPS said procedural changes, new materials and technologies, and developments in cleaner energy and electric transport are contributing to these risks.
Escape breathing apparatus was described as a regulatory requirement in relevant working environments and as equipment used to support safe evacuation from hazardous or oxygen deficient conditions.
Semmco LPS designs and manufactures short duration breathing apparatus intended for escape and working rescue in confined spaces and extreme environments.
Sector examples including prisons shipping and freight rail
Semmco LPS cited the prison system as one example, stating that 2,287 fires in prison cells were recorded in 2023.
Eighty percent of these incidents were attributed to vape pens.
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.
The contract includes user training and a managed refurb and maintenance programme.
Semmco LPS also referenced the global shipment of electric vehicles onboard ships and cited increased awareness of battery fire dangers during transport.
In freight rail transport, the company described the highest risks as being linked to hazardous goods and materials.
Semmco LPS said recent legislation changes in the USA mandate that EEBDs be available to employees working in freight train cabs transporting hazardous material “that would pose an inhalation hazard in the event of release during an accident.”
Product specifications and manufacturing expansion
Semmco LPS said its EEBD is a self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus with a 15 minute duration and no fit testing requirement.
Both the HEAD and EEBD devices are head worn short duration escape sets using potassium superoxide (KO2).
The products provide a constant oxygen supply for the duration required to escape hazardous environments.
Semmco LPS has opened a new manufacturing facility in Woking Surrey with dedicated production pods and a service and refurbishment area for the HEAD product.
Semmco LPS will exhibit at Stand 3/G1 at Birmingham NEC from 28 to 30 April 2026.