It's Friday the 13th! Don't take any
chances, is your PPE correct?
You may have felt like hiding under the duvet this
morning, avoided stepping on the cracks in the pavement or taken an
extra long diversion to avoid pulling out at 'that' junction. Did you
know that many hospitals do not have a ward 13? Or that Apollo 13
suffered it's catastrophic failure on November 13, at 13 minutes past
1pm, or 13.13. It seems we are obsessed with the stigma attached to
the number 13, and Friday the 13th sums up all our fears.
But how many of us are still taking needless risks at work by using
incorrect or insufficient PPE?
The range of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
is as diverse as the industries it covers, but on a basic level PPE
should; protect the head and feet from falling materials; the lungs
from dust, pollutants and chemical gases; the eyes and skin from from
heat and corrosive substances and the body, as a whole, from extremes
of hot and cold.
Your employer has a responsibility to ensure you
are provided with the full, correct PPE required for your duties, but
it is important for you to maintain the condition of your kit and
watch for signs of wear and tear which could result in a loss of
function. When not in use it should be stored in a clean, dry locker
or cupboard and replacement parts should be sought in good time. Of
course, if you are self employed it is your responsibility to ensure
you are using the right PPE for your requirements, with research and
careful sourcing.
Consider your working environment. You may choose
a pair of steel capped safety boots to protect your feet from falling
items; but if you work outside, or on slippery surfaces, a safety
boot which includes an anti-slip sole would be a sensible choice. If
you're protecting your feet from falling items, is your head suitably
protected from the risk?
Respirators are a highly important piece of
equipment for many lines of work. Whether you're sawing wood, welding
metal or working around chemicals and gases, your lungs will be
exposed to tiny particles or pollutants which can have an immediate
or long lasting effects. You will need to carefully research the
hazards you will be dealing with and the protection offered by the
variety of respirators on the market.
High visibility clothing is probably the most
widely used PPE, it's function is simple but invaluable; to ensure
your co-workers and members of the public are aware of you and can
take care when working or moving around you. This is especially
important when working outside, in poor light or in a factory or
warehouse where others are operating heavy machinery near to you.
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| B-Seen Hi-Viz Jerkin from www.bestworkwear.co.uk |
For those working in
'safer' environments, such as catering or healthcare, non-slip safety
shoes are a must for when you are busy running around! Protection
from cuts and infection is also an important consideration and a wide
range of disposable and anti-cut gloves are available.
