The importance of PPE: where do they come from and why are they needed?
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for any job that involves contact with hazardous substances or conditions. These include chemicals, toxic substances, irritants, infectious diseases, and so on. Both the standard for personal protective equipment (PPE) and the AS/NZS 4260 standard are based on a hierarchy of control measures to control risks. They recognize that PPE is not always practical or affordable in every situation. Therefore, they place personal protective equipment at the bottom of the hierarchy as a last resort after other precautions have been taken such as technical and administrative checks. While personal protective equipment (PPE) should almost never be the first line of defense against hazards, it can still be an important part of an overall hazard management strategy in some situations. Let’s take a closer look at why personal protective equipment (PPE) is necessary in some jobs and how to find the best one for your needs.
Why are PPE necessary?
PPE is designed to protect the wearer from exposure to hazards, both chemical and infectious. They are designed to prevent contact with the skin or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The main reasons why personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed are
What types of PPE are there?
The different types of PPE include:-
- Lab coats, aprons and gloves: Used for general work where there is a possibility of contact with hazardous substances.
- Respirators: Used when technical means cannot sufficiently reduce exposure to hazardous substances.
- Face Protectors: Used to protect the eyes, face, and mouth when the possibility of splashing exists.
- Hearing protection: Used to reduce noise that can cause hearing damage.
- Safety footwear: Used to protect against slips, falls, and electrical hazards.
- Coveralls: Used to protect the wearer from hazards that cannot be controlled by technical or administrative controls.
- Caps: Used to protect the wearer from hazards that cannot be controlled by technical or administrative controls.
- Full body suits: Used to protect the wearer from hazards that cannot be controlled by technical or administrative controls.
How do you find the right PPE for your work?
The first thing you need to do is to know what hazards you may face in your workplace. You can find this information in a number of ways:
Read the Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): The Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemical you are dealing with provides information about the hazards associated with it.
Ask the supplier: If you’re buying a chemical from a supplier, you can ask them about the dangers involved.
Ask your manager: Your supervisor may be aware of the hazards in your workplace.
What are technical measures?
Technical measures are used to control exposure to chemical hazards, infectious diseases and other hazards. Usually this involves the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in combination with technical measures such as ventilation and exhaust systems.
Technical measures: These are designed to remove or isolate hazards from workers. Examples are ventilation and extraction systems, vacuum systems and local extraction systems.
What are administrative measures?
Administrative measures are designed to control the way the work is done and thus reduce exposure to hazards. Examples are working methods and procedures, work schedules and job rotation.
Administrative measures: These are used to control hazards that pose non-chemical risks. Working methods and procedures, work schedules and job rotation are used to control these hazards.
Combining control measures: In which PPE plays a role
Control measures are used to control exposure to chemical hazards, infectious diseases, and other hazards. They usually involve the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in combination with technical measures such as ventilation and exhaust systems.
Technical measures: These are designed to remove or isolate hazards from the workers. Examples are ventilation and extraction systems, vacuum systems and local extraction systems.
Administrative control measures: These are used to control hazards that pose non-chemical risks. Working methods and procedures, work schedules and job rotation are used to control these hazards.
Final Words
While it is important to understand the difference between control measures and technical measures, it is equally important to know when which type of measure should be used. It is important to always use the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for the right job. Using the wrong PPE can make a dangerous situation even worse. Unfortunately, PPE is often misunderstood, and people assume that it is an all-encompassing solution that can be used regardless of the type of hazard they face. This is simply not true, and they put themselves and others at risk if they don’t use the right PPE for their jobs.