MODULE 20- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

SAFE COMPANY

PPEDefinition: Protective equipment meant to be worn as protection against specific or multiple HS risks.

• 90% of the accidents at work could have been prevented with PPEs

• It does not avoid the risk. Reduces the consequences. Only when there is no other way of limiting the risks.

• Last resort. 1/ General measures, 2/ Collective protection, 3/ PPE.

• Employer duties: providing and maintaining (contractors), select, ensure correct use, information and training of workers, regular inspections.

PPE II• Employee: Use the PPE, correct use, frequent inspection, good

maintenance and safe storage.

Requirements:• Operating requirements: suitable for the existing risks, adjusted to

the circumstances of the workplace and the user, ergonomic, no increasing other risks.

• Quality requirements: Manufactures: Reliable protection, tested, effective, ergonomic, comfortable, provide instructions and adequate labelling.

TYPES Depending on the risk, there exist three categories: protection against simple risks, significant risks life-threating risks

Classification: Eyes and face, hearing, respiration, hands, head, body, feet, falls (not universal classification)

EYE & FACE PROTECTION I Types: safety glasses, wide vision goggles, face shields, welding goggles and welding masks.

• Common causes of eyes injuries: flying objects, chemicals, harmful radiation.

• Other classifications include prescription and non-prescription safety lenses and full-face respirators.

• Contact lenses are not a PPE

• Requirements: well maintained, cleaned and stored, replacement in case of damage.

EYE & FACE PROTECTION II

Types:• Safety glasses: Protection against flying particles and splashes.

• Wide vision goggles: Protection against flying particles, chemical splashes and a dusty environment.

• Face shield requirements: Protection against: flying particles, liquid splashes, dusty environment, working above head height and working with high pressure cleaners.

EYE & FACE PROTECTION III• Welding goggles: Suited for autogenously welding and activities

involved limited sparking.

• Welding mask: Protects eyes and face from flying sparks, heat and UV rays. Mostly used for electric welding.

• Prescription glasses or contact lenses: PPE compatible and fit properly. (specific PPE)

HEARING PROTECTION • Types: wadding or pods, plugs, universal ear plugs, osteoplastic

and ear muffs, ear buds. Also available integrated in other PPE

• Wadding or pods: provide a limited protection, maximum attenuation from 5 to 15db. Cannot be cleaned or reused.

• Plugs: Maximum attenuation factor 20 dB .

• Universal ear plugs: Attenuation from 15 to 30 dB.

• Osteoplastic: Tailor-made. The attenuation factor depends on the kind of filter.

HEARING PROTECTION II• Ear muffs: Close off the ears to the sounds of the environment. The

attenuation factor depends on the type of earmuffs.

• Noises level as of 80 dB can cause hearing loss: information, training and PPE, hearing checks.

• Noises level as of 85 db: noise reduction measures and ensuring employees wear hearing protection.

• Insert correctly, PPE clean, clean hands, check regularly, not shared.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTIONHazards: dust, particulates, fumes, vapors, gases, and oxygen deficient atmospheres.

Two main categories: self-contained respiratory protective equipment (provides a supply of air suitable for breathing) and filtering equipment (air purifying, removes particles from atmosphere).

• Filtering equipment: not capable of supplying oxygen themselves, only used if the air contains small concentrations . Only a limited time (max.8 hours). A gas or vapor filter can only be used once

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION II

• Self-contained respiratory protective equipment: highly toxic substances, high concentrations of hazardous substances and in oxygen deficient environments.

Special training and medical tests are required for users. Masks must be well-maintained and cleaned. Close-fitting.

HEAD PROTECTIONRisks: impacts from flying or falling objects, bumps and hard blows, hair entanglement.

Different types: safety helmet more common.

• Safety helmet protects the head adequately against falling materials or impact.

• A faulty safety helmet offers no protection.

• Requirements: check frequently, replace in case of damage, do not decorate, metal helmets are prohibited, well maintained. Fit properly.

HAND AND ARM PROTECTION

Common injuries: cuts and punctures, impact blows, burns, skin infection and contamination.

Different types: gloves (more common).

• Important to select the right material for each job. Depending on the task. Expert advice.

• Do not wear gloves near rotating parts. Do not wear textile or leather gloves when handling chemicals.

• Replace in case of contact with toxic materials. Always dry.

FOOT PROTECTIONA different kind of protection for every risk.

Different types (boots: more common).

• Characteristics: steel tip, steel midsole and a non-slip sole.

• Requirements: well-maintained (soles), dry and cleaned. Replace in case of contact with toxic materials.

BODY PROTECTIONDifferent types. Different models and materials depending on the risk.

• Special protective clothing provides additional and often necessary protection.

• Requirements: Do not clean with compressed air, protective clothing well-maintained and cleaned. Replace in case of damage.

• Avoid wide sleeves or loose flaps, proper size, risk of fire: fire resistant (no polyester).

FALL PROTECTION Collective fall protection is preferred to personal protective equipment.

• Collective fall protection consists of edge protection or guardrails.

• PPE consist of a body harness that carries the employee, a lanyard that absorbs the shock and an anchoring system.

• Lanyard must be attached to a self-retracting lifeline or a rope grab.

• All PPE must be inspected by qualified personnel at least once a year.