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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Notes

Purpose of PPE

  • The primary purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is to protect individuals from harm in the workplace.

  • PPE is required for identified work tasks to ensure employees can perform their activities safely.

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

  • These regulations identify the legal need for employers to provide suitable PPE to their employees.

  • Access the full regulations at www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2966/contents/made.

Employer's Responsibilities Regarding PPE

According to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, an employer has a legal duty to:

  • Provide the correct PPE necessary for the work.

  • Ensure that the provided PPE is used correctly by employees.

  • Ensure that PPE is stored correctly to maintain its effectiveness and usability.

  • Train employees in the correct and safe use of the PPE provided.

Identifying Appropriate PPE

  • Risk assessments are crucial for identifying the specific PPE required for various work tasks.

  • The British Safety Industry Federation (www.bsif.co.uk) offers support and guidance on selecting the most suitable PPE for different functions.

Key Considerations for PPE Suitability

When evaluating the appropriateness of PPE, the following questions should be asked:

  • Risk Alignment: Is the PPE appropriate based on the specific risks that have been identified through assessment?

  • Risk Control: Does the PPE effectively prevent or adequately control the level of risk present?

  • New Risks: Could wearing the PPE, in itself, increase an existing risk or create a new, unforeseen risk?

  • Adjustability: Can the PPE be adjusted to fit different wearers comfortably and securely?

  • Individual Suitability: Is the PPE suitable for the specific individual who will be wearing it, considering their personal characteristics or conditions?

  • Comfort: Will wearing the PPE cause significant discomfort that might lead to it being improperly used or avoided?

  • Compatibility: Is the PPE compatible with other PPE that may need to be worn simultaneously?

Types of PPE by Body Part

PPE is designed to protect different parts of the body from specific hazards. The regulations consider protection for the following areas:

  • Eyes

  • Head

  • Breathing

  • The body

  • Hands and arms

  • Feet and legs

1. Eyes

  • Significance: Losing or damaging sight can have life-changing effects, impacting work ability and overall quality of life.

  • Hazards: Types of hazards that can affect the eyes include:

    • Chemical splash

    • Metal swarf (fine metal filings or shavings)

    • Dust particles

    • Projectiles (e.g., flying debris)

    • Gas and vapour exposure

    • Radiation (particularly in welding activities)

  • PPE Options: Depending on the work, suitable eye protection includes (Figure 1.16 is referenced in the original but not provided):

    • Safety glasses

    • Goggles

    • Face shields

    • Visors

2. Head

  • Significance: Even a simple knock to the head, leading to concussion, can be fatal if not properly addressed. Head protection is critically important.

  • Hazards: Head protection is intended to provide protection from:

    • Impact from falling objects

    • Impact from flying objects

    • Bumping the head on hard surfaces or sharp edges

    • Hair entanglement in machinery

  • PPE Options: The choice of head PPE depends on the specific work activity and includes:

    • General safety helmet

    • Working-at-height safety helmet

    • Safety helmet with an in-built visor

    • Safety helmet with in-built ear defenders

    • Bump cap (for minor impacts, not falling objects)

    • Hair net (to prevent hair entanglement)

3. Breathing

  • Significance: Risks to breathing are often not immediately obvious. Illnesses caused by particle inhalation can take years to manifest, potentially limiting a person's life by the time of diagnosis.

  • Hazards: Types of hazards that must be considered for respiratory protection include:

    • Dust

    • Vapour

    • Gas

    • Oxygen-deficient atmospheres

  • PPE Options: PPE for breathing hazards comprises:

    • Disposable filtering face pieces (e.g., dust masks)

    • Disposable respirators

    • Half- or full-face respirators

    • Air-fed helmets

    • Breathing apparatus (for severe environments, e.g., oxygen depletion)

4. Protection of the Body

  • Significance: General body protection is sometimes overlooked, but hazards affecting the body can be very important in certain work activities.

  • Hazards: These hazards include:

    • Temperature extremes (both hot and cold)

    • Adverse weather conditions (rain, wind)

    • Chemical splashes

    • Spray from pressure leaks or spray guns

    • Impact or penetration from objects

    • Contaminated dust

    • Excessive wear and tear on clothing

    • Electrical explosion hazards

    • Entanglement with machinery

  • PPE Options: Several PPE options are available for body protection:

    • Overalls

    • Boiler suits, or bib and brace overalls

    • High-visibility clothing (for visibility)

    • Thermal underwear (for temperature extremes)

    • Waterproof clothing

    • Leather aprons (for abrasion, heat)

    • Flash protection suits (for electrical or arc flash hazards)

    • Chain-mail aprons (for cuts and punctures, e.g., in butchery)

5. Hands and Arms

  • Significance: Hands and arms are frequently injured, particularly in manual labor tasks like electrical installation work.

  • Hazards: Hazards to hands and arms include:

    • Abrasion

    • Temperature extremes (hot or cold contact)

    • Cuts and punctures

    • Impact from objects

    • Chemical exposure

    • Electric shock

    • Skin infection

    • Disease transmission

    • Contamination

  • Note on Training: Many injuries occur when individuals hold items they are trying to cut or drill. In such cases, training in correct techniques can be a more effective solution than merely providing PPE.

  • PPE Options: Options for protecting hands and arms include:

    • Gloves: Made from various materials to offer specific protection, such as oil resistance, anti-cut properties, or anti-slip grip.

    • Gauntlets: Provide protection further up the arm, beyond the wrist.

6. Feet and Legs

  • Significance: Safety boots are the most common form of PPE on construction sites, primarily protecting against falling objects.

  • Hazards: Feet and legs can be subjected to other hazards, including:

    • Wet conditions

    • Slipping hazards

    • Cuts and punctures

    • Falling objects

    • Metal splashes (from welding or cutting activities)

    • Chemical splashes

    • Abrasion

    • Irritants such as dust or powders

  • Beyond Safety Boots: Standard safety boots do not address all these hazards. Other PPE options include:

    • Safety boots or shoes with protective toe caps and penetration-resistant mid-soles.

    • Boots or shoes with oil-resistant soles (to prevent slips).

    • Gaiters (to protect lower legs and prevent debris entry)

    • Leggings (for leg protection)

    • Overalls (which can offer some leg protection along with body protection)

  • Mandatory Site Requirements: All construction sites now display safety boards at entrances, advising that entry is restricted unless individuals are wearing safety boots, high-visibility clothing, and a hard hat.

  • Enhanced Protection: Some companies are implementing further regulations, such as prohibiting shorts or going topless, to reduce the risk of skin damage from abrasion.