Choosing the right protective gear.
Types of PPE
Various types of PPE are available for use in the workplace. This article provides guidance and general information about common types of PPE used in the industry.
Detailed information should be obtained from Kakswear Online Shop -Merchandising PPEs,Work wear,Masks,Gloves,Shoes on these more specialized items. Potential users should be involved in the selection of equipment they will be expected to wear and if possible more than one model should be made available to them.
The different types of PPE include:
● Head and scalp protection;
● Respiratory protection;
● Eye protection;
● Hearing protection;
● Hand and arm protection;
● Foot and leg protection;
● Body protection;
● Height and access protection.
Head and scalp protection
There are five primary purposes of head protection, to protect:
● The head in falls;
● Against falling objects, impact with fixed objects, or wielded weapons;
● The head by offering thermal insulation;
● Against entanglement and laceration to the head;
● Against scalping/entanglement particularly on machinery where injuries are still numerous.
Hair-nets and caps are also used for hygiene reasons.
A helmet-vented designed to complement the skull in protecting the brain.
All forms of head and scalp protection must be suitable, correctly fitted and have an easily adjustable headband, nape and chin strap where appropriate.
Eye protection
PPE for the eyes is intended to provide protection against impact, cuts, splashes, mists and sprays. All PPE must be regularly cleaned, but this is especially important in the case of eye protection as dirty lenses lead to poor vision and may contribute to accidents.
Protection-goggles
Where lenses become scratched, pitted or cracked they should be replaced.
Users who need to wear corrective lenses (glasses) should have this requirement accommodated in the provision of the PPE to them e.g. as protective over glasses where appropriate, or in the form of prescription lenses if necessary. Where they may be required to wear eye protection on a regular and prolonged basis then any goggles, safety-glasses etc should meet the user’s prescription requirements.
Hearing protection
Noise control assessments at work, should determine whether personal ear protectors are required in the workplace or not, and the noise attenuation required.
Ear-plugs
In providing hearing protection, employers should select protectors which are suitable for the working environment considering how comfortable and hygienic they are. Like other PPE, hearing protection will need to be compatible with other PPE (e.g. hard hats, dust masks and eye protection) worn by workers.
Theoretical attenuation is rarely achieved and it is therefore necessary to over-specify the protection.
Where ear plugs are used, training is needed to ensure that they are used correctly. Where ear defenders are used it should be ensured that users do not use music headphones or buds simultaneously. For high noise environments, it may be appropriate to specify both plugs and defenders.
Hand and arm protection
Most work requires a degree of manual capability exposing hands to a wide range of hazards including cuts, abrasions, heat, cold, chemical contamination, vibration, burns, infection, skin irritation and dermatitis.
Cowhide-leather-grey-short
Before selecting hand and arm protection, the hierarchy of control measures must be followed. Gloves and gauntlets provide the main form of hand protection against a range of industrial hazards, but other forms of PPE such as mitts, wrist cuffs or armlets may also be used.
In the case of manual handling where there may be a risk of piercing by abrasive, sharp or pointed objects, gloves should be provided where these hazards cannot otherwise be removed, isolated or reduced to an acceptable level. Such gloves are usually made from leather, chain mail, rubber, knitted Kevlar or stout canvas. However, gloves should not normally be worn where there is a risk of them being caught in machinery.
Where chemical exposure is a hazard, and the risk extends to contact with the arms, gauntlets should be specified rather than gloves.
Foot and leg protection
A wide range of safety footwear is available providing protection against many hazards to the feet or legs including crushing, slipping, piercing, temperatures, electricity, chemicals, cutting, and chopping. Depending on the hazard various PPE options may be appropriate including safety boots and shoes with protective toe caps and penetration-resistant mid sole; gaiters; leggings; and spats.
Safety jogger
Body protection
The Regulations’ definition of PPE excludes ordinary working clothes and uniforms which have no specific protection for the wearer. However, body protection may be required for extended periods of work outdoors to protect against the weather, and to ensure high visibility during work where there is mixed vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
PPE for the body is also required where workers are exposed to extremes of temperature (whether outdoors or indoors), as well as chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, impact or penetration, contaminated dust, excessive wear, entanglement of their own clothing or the risk of drowning.