Personal protective equipment systems
Personal protective equipment systems
Introduction
Four commonly used methods of controlling occupational hazards are:
- Engineering controls.
- Administrative controls.
- Work practices/procedures, and
- The use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Engineering and administrative controls should be thoroughly evaluated and considered before the use of personal protective equipment.
Note
Since personal protective equipment is the “last line of defence,” it is extremely important for it to be used properly and in accordance with established standards.
Identification of PPE needs
Protective equipment should be available to the employee, contractor or visitor whenever there is otherwise uncontrolled exposure to hazards.
The decision to make use of personal protective equipment should follow formal assessments or surveys. These surveys should be linked to the risk control activities which identify potential hazards. Examples are :
- Task analysis and observation.
- Risk analysis.
- Physical hazard analysis.
- Accident/incident analysis.
- Review of regulations, codes and industry standards.
The use of personal protective equipment should be considered when the use of all other controls results in intolerable residual risks.
Key points for improved standards
- Standards
Following the needs analysis, clear requirements should be identified and standards defined. These clearly define the need for PPE, when it should be used and by whom. The standard should include vendors, visitors, contractors, etc.
The tables on pages 13 and 14 show applications and requirements of types of PPE which are generally accepted. This table could prove useful when developing performance standards for your organisation.
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Eye
Head
Foot/Toe
WHERE NEEDED
Where machines or operations present a danger from flung objects, direct or reflected brightness, hazardous liquids, or injurious radiation.
Where there is danger from impact and penetration from falling or flying objects or from limited electric shock.
In areas where there is a potential for foot or toe injuries.
TYPES OF PROTECTION
Goggles, full face shields, safety glasses, side-shields, welders’ lenses (should meet standards).
Safety hats full brim, brimless, limited voltage protection, no voltage protection, (should meet standards).
Impact and compression resistance, metatarsal protection, puncture resistance, electrical hazard resistance, conductive (should meet standards).
FITTING
REQUIREMENTS
Comfortable fit (not interfere with movement).
Comfortable, proper fit.
Proper fit.
SUGGESTED RECORDS
Date issued, reissued, type issued, instructions given (need to wear, cleaning needs, maintenance, conservation, disciplinary action, fitting).
Date issued, type issued, instructions given (need to wear, maintenance, disciplinary action).
Date issued, amount reimbursed, instructions given (need to wear, maintenance, disciplinary action).
EXAMINATIONS
NEEDED
Comfortable fit (not interfere with movement).
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Hand
Hearing
Respiratory
WHERE NEEDED
Danger of cuts, or from handling corrosives, solvents, or other chemicals.
Noise exposure that equals or exceeds 85 dBA in an 8-hour time-weighted period.
In areas that present a limited breathable environment or the possibility of an oxygen-deficient environment or air contamination.
TYPES OF PROTECTION
Cotton/leather gloves; gauntlets; heat-resistant gloves; barrier creams; chain mail gloves; haly-gloves; rubber gloves. (Should meet standards).
Full muffs, disposable plugs, Swedish wool, non-disposable plugs. (Should meet standards).
Air-purifying respirators, chemical cartridge respirators, air-supplied respirators, combination respirators, self con-tained breathing devices. (Should meet standards).
FITTING
REQUIREMENTS
Proper fit.
Proper fit, correct type for noise exposure.
Significant fitting requirements.
SUGGESTED RECORDS
Date issued, reissued, type issued, instructions given, (need to wear, maintenance, conservation, disciplinary action.)
Audiometric exam, date issued, instructions given (need to wear, effects of noise, cleaning, conservation, fitting, disciplinary action.)
Date issued, reissued, type issued, instructions given (respiratory hazards present; need for respirators; functions, capabilities and limitations of respirators; fit testing; proper utilisation, cleaning and main-tenance; conservation disciplinary action).
EXAMINATIONS
NEEDED
Audiometric (baseline and annual).
Pulmonary function.
Key points for improved standards, continued
- Selection
One of the most effective ways to ensure correct use of PPE is to actively involve all employees with the selection process. Whenever practical, representatives of those who will have to wear the equipment as well as union representatives should be involved in selection decisions. For example, when several models all meet required specifications, you should give people the chance to express their preferences.
- Training
Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment is vital, therefore it is essential that training is given to all personnel expected to wear it.
Records of all training should be maintained and periodically reviewed.
- Reinforcement of Use
Most supervisors recognise that an effective level of protective equipment is much more likely when every available opportunity is used to reinforce desired behaviour. Group meetings and personal contacts provide excellent opportunities for promoting proper use of equipment through positive reinforcement.
A pair of safety glasses that saved a worker’s eye or a hard hat that prevented serious injury is excellent examples of items widely used by supervisors to maintain interest and keep their programs energised. Keeping the group well informed of its level of performance in the proper use of equipment can also be a very strong motivational tool. Group recognition for attaining a desired level of performance over a specified period of time is another good supervisory technique. The most important thing to realise is that your techniques vary to hold everyone’s interest. Positive recognition for compliance should be used whenever possible; this will encourage employees and their peer group to comply with Personal Protective Equipment requirements.
- Compliance Checks
Regular checks should be made by the line manager to ensure that personal protective standards are being adhered to. These checks should be done both on an informal and planned basis, and integrated into other loss control activities such as planned inspections, observation programs, etc.
Records and analysis
Records should be maintained of the issue of all personal protective equipment. This will accomplish several objectives:
- Verification of the issue of equipment.
- Control of costs by identifying overuse and abuse of equipment.
- Provision of data for periodic analysis to ensure appropriate application of personal protective equipment.
When managed together with rules compliance, group meetings, personal communications, purchasing controls and other loss control activities, Personal Protective Equipment management is a very strong effective last line of defence.