Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Flashcards covering the purpose, regulations, responsibilities, types, and considerations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the provided lecture notes. Includes specific PPE for eyes, head, breathing, body, hands/arms, and feet/legs.

What is the primary purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

To protect people from harm and enable employees to perform their work activities safely.

Which regulations identify the need for employers to provide suitable PPE?

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

According to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, what is an employer's legal duty regarding PPE?

To provide the correct PPE, ensure it is used correctly, ensure it is stored correctly, and train employees in its correct use.

What tool can be used to identify the necessary PPE for specific work tasks?

Risk assessments.

What key questions should be asked when considering the suitability of PPE?

Is it appropriate based on risks, does it control risk, could it increase or create new risk, can it be adjusted to fit, is it suitable for the individual, will it cause discomfort, and is it compatible with other PPE?

What are the main areas of the body that PPE regulations consider for protection?

Eyes, head, breathing, the body, hands and arms, and feet and legs.

What types of hazards can affect the eyes?

Chemical splash, metal swarf, dust particles, projectiles, gas and vapour, and radiation (e.g., in welding).

What different types of PPE provide protection for the eyes?

Safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and visors.

What protection does head protection primarily offer?

Protection from impact of falling objects, impact of flying objects, bumping your head on hard surfaces or sharp edges, and hair entanglement.

List some types of head protection PPE.

General safety helmet, working-at-height safety helmet, safety helmet with in-built visor, safety helmet with in-built ear defenders, bump cap, and hair net.

What types of hazards must be considered for breathing protection?

Dust, vapour, gas, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

What are some examples of PPE used to protect against breathing hazards?

Disposable filtering face pieces, disposable respirators, half- or full-face respirators, air-fed helmets, and breathing apparatus.

What types of hazards can affect the body, requiring general body protection?

Temperature extremes, adverse weather, chemical splashes, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, impact or penetration, contaminated dust, excessive wear, electrical explosion, and entanglement.

List some PPE options for protecting the body.

Overalls, boiler suits or bib and brace, high-visibility clothing, thermal underwear, waterproof clothing, leather aprons, flash protection suits, and chain-mail aprons.

What common hazards can affect the hands and arms, especially in manual or electrical installation work?

Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals, electric shock, skin infection, disease, and contamination.

What are the primary PPE options for protecting hands and arms?

Gloves (made of different materials for specific protection like oil resistance, anticut, anti-slip) and gauntlets (for protection further up the arm).

What hazards can feet and legs be exposed to?

Wet conditions, slipping, cuts and punctures, falling objects, metal splashes from welding or cutting, chemical splashes, abrasion, and irritants like dust or powders.

Besides safety boots, what other PPE options exist for protecting feet and legs?

Safety shoes with protective toe caps and penetration-resistant mid-soles, boots or shoes with oil-resistant soles, gaiters, leggings, and overalls.

What standard PPE items are typically required on construction sites?

Safety boots, high visibility clothing, and a hard hat.