Personal Protective Equipments

Even where engineering controls and safe systems of work have been applied, some hazards might remain. These include injuries to lungs, e.g. from breathing in contaminated air; the head and feet, e.g. from falling materials; the eyes, e.g. from flying particles or splashes of corrosive liquids; the skin, e.g. from contact with corrosive materials ; the body, e.g. from extremes of heat or cold. Personal protective equipment is needed in these cases to reduce the risk.

Selection of Use

You must consider:
1. who is exposed and to what?
2. for how long?
3. to how much?

You must also:
1. choose good quality products made to a recognized standard – suppliers can advice.
2. choose equipment which suits the wearer- consider size, fit and weight. If you let the users help choose it , they will then be more likely to use it.
3. make sure it fits properly- note in particular the problem creating a good seal if a respirator user has a beard.
4. make sure if more than one item is being worn they can be used together, e.g. a respirator may not give proper protection if air leaks in around the seal because the user is wearing safety glasses.
5. instruct and train people in its use. Tell them why it is needed, when to use it and what its limitations are.

Remember personal protective equipment is a last resort but must be worn when needed.


Maintenance

Equipment must be properly looked after and stored when not in use, e.g. in a dry clean cupboard. It must be cleaned and kept in good repair.

Think about:
1. using the right replacement parts which match the original, e.g. respirator filters.
2. keeping replacement personal protective equipments available.
3. who is responsible for maintenance and how it is to be done.
4. having a supply of disposable suits which are useful in dirty jobs where laundry costs are high, e.g. visitors who need protective clothing.

Employees must make proper use of personal protective equipments and report its loss or destruction or any fault in it.