- when and how should this be used?
There are times when it will be necessary to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect workers from being affected by certain hazards.
However, to most effectively remove or reduce the incidence of occupational injury or illness, the risks associated with exposure to workplace hazards must be controlled at the source.
The following lists - in order of preference - the control strategies which should be considered for each hazard. This is the 'preferred order of control' or the 'hierarchy of control'. In some instances a range of control methods may be needed.
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Elimination
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Substitution or Modification
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Engineering Controls
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Admininistrative Procedures
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Personal Protective Equipment
PPE (such as face masks, respirators, gloves, boots, overalls, goggles and ear-muffs) should be regarded only as a short term measure until more effective control strategies are implemented, or in very limited situations (such as emergency clean-up). Often, PPE has a number of limitations as an effective control method:
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In many instances, available PPE does not meet standards, or is not adequately maintained, and thus does not provide real protection;
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Use of PPE puts the onus on the worker to protect themselves - PPE is often seen as the only method of controlling hazards, rather than focusing on making the place of work safe;
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Use of PPE makes the job more difficult to perform;
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Use of PPE may impede warnings of danger;
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Use of PPE may cause other health problems (e.g. ear infections);
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PPE is generally not individually fitted, and thus frequently fails to provide full protection;
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PPE may be uncomfortable, causing workers to remove PPE, thus exposing them to risk;
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Full and adequate training in the need for, and use of PPE does not generally accompany its issue.
More information:
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From NSW WorkCover: OHS Responsibilities - PPE
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Information from the Queensland OHS Authority: PPE
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From the UK's Health and Safety Executive:
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A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work [ pdf ] This guide is on their regulations, but has useful information.
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Report: PPE-related accidents - Identifying failures A report on a pan-industry study commissioned into the risks associated with PPE-related accidents. In the UK around 9,000 PPE-related accidents are reported each year with an annual cost of 252 million pounds. The most common categories of PPE cited in accident reports were hand/arm and foot protection, followed by eye and face protection. The information and report can be downloaded from the HSE website.
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