PPE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
uses of ppe
intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to health or safety and any additional accessory designed to meet that objective.
Safe-place′ means
that the working environment is ensured free from contaminants or hazardous conditions or factors which pose a risk to workers or any other person who may be present at the place of work.
Effective protection is only achieved
through suitable, correctly fitted, properly used and properly maintained PPE.
problem with PPE is
that it may restrict the wearer to some extent by limiting mobility, or visibility, or by requiring additional weight to be carried.
use of PPE to control risk is
to be used as a ′last resort′ or as the ′last line of defense′.
USECHH Regulations 2000: Regulation 16 states that:
Approved PPE shall be used
- where the application of control measures specified in paragraphs 15(1)(a) to (g) would be impracticable;
- as an interim measure while other preferred control measures are being designed and installed; or
- where the measures taken to comply with paragraphs 15(1)(a) to (g) do not adequately control an employee’s exposure to chemicals hazardous to health
The approved PPE provided to employees pursuant to sub regulation (1) shall-
- be suitable to the type of work in which they are employed;
- fit the employees;
- not adversely affect the health or medical condition of the employees; and
- be in sufficient supply and readily available to employees who require it.
mandatory requirements here are on the use of PPE
approved by the Director General and that its use is seen as the last resort, as an interim measure, or as to complementary measure to other preferred control measures
PPE PROGRAM
- Selection of PPE
- Issuance of PPE and fit testing
- Information, instruction and training
- Proper use and supervision
- Inspection, storage, availability and maintenance
- Disposal
- Record keeping
- Review of program
- Workers responsibilities
Other requirements of use PPE
include the equipment’s suitability to the work, not prejudicing the health of the employees and the equipment is readily available for employees to use.
RISK REDUCTION THROUGH PPE
- The principle utilized by PPE in prevention of injuries is to prevent contact between the hazards and the external or internal parts of the body that is to be protected.
- This includes the protection for the head, which include the eye, face, and the ear; the auditory and respiratory system; and the body and the limbs.
- There are also appliances which do not act as a barrier between the hazard and the part of the body to be protected, but are regarded as PPE. These are life jackets, buoyancy aids, safety harness and high visibility clothing.
