Label printers help protect at-risk workers

Label printers can be the first step towards an ongoing approach to health and safety in the workplace.

The Health and Safety Executive has reminded employers of their obligations to their workforce - particularly in operating environments outside of the 'normal' temperature range.

However, protecting individuals from heat stress may depend in part on the ability to identify those who have been in a particular environment for the longest period of time.

Using label printers, supervisors can issue ID cards or temporary ID stickers, marking individuals according to which group or shift they belong to - and can consequently ensure those teams leave the hazardous environment promptly when required.

Label printers and high temperatures

The correct label printers are a must in working environments where the labels will be exposed to high temperatures.

Some thermal labels are not intended to be heated after being printed - and the information may be obscured if their temperature rises too high.

However, there are alternatives, including laminated thermal rolls, that can deliver the speed and convenience of thermal printing without subsequent issues if they are heated again.

Label printers and identification

Whether you need permanent ID cards, or simply a stick-on ID label for visitors or shift-specific information, there are label printers to suit your needs.

Identifying at-risk employees is not discriminatory if it is for their own protection, as there are some characteristics - medical conditions and age are among those listed by the HSE - that might affect how they are able to handle heat.

Meanwhile, some environments may require breathing apparatus that obscures the face, making it necessary to identify individuals some other way, particularly as these conditions may make it more difficult to take on water as a way of tackling excess body heat.

Label printers and protective clothing

Finally, label printers can easily add important information to equipment and clothing issued on a temporary basis, rather than carrying the permanent details of the employee who uses those items.

For heat-protective garments, this can highlight older items that may have maintenance and repair demands, or which may have developed flaws.

By keeping track of such items over the course of their usable lifespan, supervisors can ensure that any equipment that may be faulty is checked before being issued to the next employee.




Systems Print Media is one of the UK’s leading label and barcode specialists, offering an unrivalled range of label printers and accessories.