Personal Protective Equipment and Use

It is important to ensure the correct selection is made in Personal Protective Equipment as not all will meet the same performance requirements and provide the same protection. For example, use of dish washing gloves would not be used in the handling of gasoline. In choosing Personal Protective Equipment some consideration should be given to durability, permeability, resistance to abrasion and burns, insulation, resistance to cuts, clean ability, size, and comfort.

Uses for Personal Protective Equipment will include:

Head protection in the form of a safety helmet shall be worn where, there is a possibility that a person may be struck on the head by a falling object, a person may strike his/her head against a fixed object, and there also may be accidental head contact with electrical hazards.

Eye protection shall be provided where a risk of eye injury exists. Typical hazards might include flying particles, dust, splashing substances, harmful gases, vapors, aerosols, and high intensity radiation from welding operations.

Hearing protection shall be provided where a risk of noise induced hearing loss exists. The need for hearing protection shall be assessed from the conduct of noise surveys in potential noise hazard areas or if you place your outstretched arm on a fellow person and speck normally. If they cannot understand what you are saying; hearing protection is probably needed.

Respiratory protection should be worn if after all other practicable measures have been taken to provide control measures, to ensure that no staff member is exposed to an atmosphere that is or may be injurious to health.

Protective clothing and sunscreen should be used for staff that are required to work outdoors and are exposed to the sun's rays for continuous periods in a day. Direct exposure of the skin to UV radiation from outdoor work shall be minimized by providing hats, long sleeves/trousers and an adequate supply of sunscreen.

Hand protection should be used where there is an identified hazard associated with a potential for hand injury.

Protective footwear should be worn where the nature of the work exposes the employee to a medium to high risk of injury to feet.

High visibility safety vests should be worn where there is a risk of injury associated with working on or near roadways or near moving traffic or moving plant.

Any protective equipment provided for use should be appropriate for the wearer and that it is appropriate for the risk. Protective equipment should be in a clean and hygienic condition for the wearer. This equipment should not be shared between wearers unless the equipment is deemed to be clean. Any protective equipment used should be stored and located in an appropriate place so that it remains clean and not exposed to the elements. Any storage areas for protective equipment should be clearly identified.

To verify that the equipment protects the user, it should be manufactured according to the specific local or national regulations. There should be a special sticker, label or stamp with the approval on it. The sticker shows the standards logo as well as quoting the relevant regulations. For legality and safety this label should not be removed.

There should be adequate maintenance of the equipment to ensure it controls the risk. Maintenance should include regular inspection before each use to determine if the equipment has sustained any damage and that it will work as intended. Where the equipment is damaged, so that it may not provide the necessary protection, it should be either repaired or disposed of appropriately and replaced. Any wearer of the equipment should be trained in any limitations of the equipment and the appropriate fitting of the equipment. Instructions should be provided on the correct use of the equipment, maintenance and storage.

Article Source: http://www.rightbiz.com

Brent Bowlin is a health and safety researcher who has helped businesses in implementing safety programs. For help contact him at abbsafetynet@gmail.com and for safety supplies go to www.safetysuppliescanada.com, they deliver anywhere.
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