Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

General principles:

must be provided by the employer must be free of charge to employee (including replacements) must be used when directed by employer protection measure of last resort

Ear protection
Must be worn when required Defects must be reported Disposable ear plugs:

correct insertion used once only cleanliness

Ear protection
Re-usable ear plugs:

regular and careful washing fitted by a trained person must be good fit dust may irritate Ear defenders: well designed well made must be good fit

Eye protection Foreseeable risk of eye injury

Employer must provide eye protection Employee must use it
Hazards: impact of solids splashes of molten metal ingress of liquids, solids, dust exposure to glare

Eye protection Foreseeable risk of eye injury

Equipment:

spectacles goggles fixed and portable shields goggles specialist work activity goggles

Use only the correct type for required protection

Skin protection
Potentially harmful substances:

pitch, tar, bitumen cement, brick and stone dust tile and plaster dust paint, varnish, lacquer adhesives wood dust, fibreglass, resins solvents, fuels, oils spirits, thinners, acids, alkalis ionising radiations and others

Skin protection
Protective clothing:

gloves, overalls, goggles aprons, boots, leggings, etc.

according to work being done

Industrial gloves Types and uses

Hazard Recommended types Neoprene, nitrile, PVC, rubber Acids, concrete and brickwork, stain removers, solvents, alkalis Esters, ethers, ketones (mastics and sealers), aldehydes, petroleum-based products

Medium and heavy weight rubber, neoprene, nitrile, PVC

Industrial gloves Types and uses

Hazard Recommended types Nitrile, PVC, medium and heavy weight rubber Rubber, nitrile, PVC, neoprene, chrome leather with reinforced palm Asbestos substitute or Nomex gloves High and low temperatures

Abrasion, unloading bricks and blocks, general materials handling Bitumen, hot work, etc.

Head protection
Employers in construction must: provide, maintain and replace head protection as necessary ensure use, so far as is reasonably practicable unless there is no foreseeable risk of injury

Head protection

Persons in charge of sites may make rules concerning the wearing of head protection Employees and selfemployed persons must wear head protection when so required

Dust
Any powder or dust including: cement, wood, stone silica, fillers, plaster Any excess dust can be harmful, ranging from: skin irritation to respiratory problems Possible long-term health problems

Respiratory protective equipment

Selection of suitable type by competent person
Factors: nature of hazards measured concentrations period of exposure vision communications confined spaces personal suitability

Respiratory protective equipment

Training in the use of equipment must be given Stored in a clean, wellventilated place

Respiratory protective equipment

Disposable face mask: light, comfortable, cheap one user only eight hour maximum use, but less if high dust levels dispose of after use

Respiratory protective equipment

Half-mask dust respirator:

easily maintained freedom of movement may have shelf life colour coded cartridges

Respiratory protective equipment

High efficiency dust respirator: full face protection correct fitting and use

beards, spectacles, etc. may lessen efficiency

Respiratory protective equipment

Positive pressure powered respirator: for long periods of work pump and filter approximately seven hours use air leaks go outwards requires battery and filter maintenance

Respiratory protective equipment

Helmet and visor respirator: battery-operated fan and filter comfortable not for all hazards requires maintenance schedules

Respiratory protective equipment

Compressed airline breathing apparatus: mask or hood with compressed airline requires pure air at correct pressure, humidity and temperature air hose can restrict movement

Respiratory protective equipment

Self-contained breathing apparatus:

mask, air regulator and cylinder

used only by a trained person

selected by competent person cylinder duration is 20 30 minutes

Control of substances hazardous to health

Aim for nil risk

If not reasonably practicable must use PPE Asbestos, lead, ionising radiations covered by own legislation. These require:
a) special procedures b) competent and trained personnel