Personal Protective Equipment: All There Is to Know

Staying safe on the workplace doesn't only require you to be careful and work by the book, protective equipment is also a big part too. PPE (personal protective equipment) is what we are going to be looking into today and all the important points and features that come with it. While getting appropriate clothing is a good starting point, having the best protection equipment is the goal and it is not an easy one. Here's what it takes to find the right safety equipment and the various types of PPE explained.

Other than protecting your head in falls and from flying objects and wielded weapons, you also get thermal insulation with your usual hardhats and other headgear. There's also the protection from entanglement and laceration, with more and more PPE suppliers offering headgear capable of protecting you from scalping on machinery where there are multiple possible injuries.

Earplugs and ear defenders are the two msot common pieces of equipment being used in noisy environments such as mills. Not every equipment will work in the same setting and it won't be compatible with other equipment so you need to watch out for these details too. In high-noise workplaces, it is recommended that workers use both earplugs and ear defenders.

Eye protection keeps your vision safe from splashes, spray, mists, impacts and cuts and. whats's important with this type of equipment, as with all PPE is cleaning. Eye protection out of every type fo PPE out there needs to be the cleanest since it sits on your face and having dirty lenses will not only lead to poor vision but it can also cause eye infections. For workers who need to wear prescription glasses, it is obligatory for the employer to provide eye protection that suits the worker's prescription needs.

Gloves and gauntlets are the only two parts that provide hand and arm protection which are usually made out of knitted kevlar, chain mail, rubber, stout canvas and leather. They protect from cuts, abrasions, chemical contamination, burns, skin irritation, heat, cold and vibrations. Remember gloves are not to be worn in places where your hands can get caught in machinery. For protection from exposure to chemicals, gauntlets are a must.

For foot and leg protection, you have all sorts of safety boots and shoes with protective toe caps, penetration resistant midsoles, gaiters, spats and leggings. All this protective equipment keeps workers safe from unexpected slips, crushing, piercing, various temperatures, chemicals, cuts, chopping, electrical hazards, and chemicals.

Proper body protection is mainly made for outdoor work in order to protect the wearer from harsh weather conditions and to make him or her visible to other people and traffic. Workplaces where there is a high-temperature exposure, chemical or metal splashes, contaminated dust, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, penetration, impact and the risk of drowning are all meant to have workers wear protective clothing.

Respiratory protection equipment includes all face masks, including disposable, half-mask respirators, protective hoods and close-fitting full-face respirators. What's important to remember with this type of protective gear is that you'll need to provide adequate training and face fit all close fit respirators. If you have workers in a confined space the use of a respiratory mask falls down to breathing apparatus since they are the only ones that provide a source of air or oxygen.

This PPE is all specialized gear that makes training and regular inspection a must since there are various types of equipment in this category, like fall-arrest systems, body harnesses, energy absorbers, lanyards, rescue lifting and lowering harnesses. The thorough training course must be provided by a competent person as well as the periodic inspection.

•  You whole PPE program should be based on the hazard assessment you do before sorting out what type of equipment you'll need exactly. Both an open-minded and realistic approach is what you need to have when accessing not just the potential hazards but also the significance of each one. Even PPE suppliers will advise you to work together with other departments in your business in order to provide insight into proper hazard assessment. Check the materials your workers are handling and talk to them on a daily basis as to how safe they feel, and when and where they feel at risk the most. 
• PPE shouldn't be your first and only line of defence, but rather it should be a "last resort" type of protection. You should first look to rely on work practices and engineering controls and then implementing PPE. It's important that you have a pre-contact control and a point of contact control, with the former being a measure that prevents the worker from even reaching the hazardous point while the latter is to prevent any damage when contact is made.
• Fit is also important as protective clothing that is too big or long can cause a trip and uncomfortable maneuvering while short and tight (small) clothing can limit mobility. Take measurements from every worker to make sure every piece of equipment fits em well, as there are regulations that your business needs to abide.
• Training workers how to use a set of equipment, like ear mufflers and when to spot issues or damaged gear is important for the effectiveness of that same gear. Don't just hand them the equipment and expect them to figure things out, show them how different pieces are used in different types of scenarios and what they actually do to protect them.