Talk No: 04 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Many accidents occur because people on site do not pay sufficient attention to their own health and safety. You can do a great deal to protect yourself simply by knowing what is available, wearing the correct clothing and using the protective equipment appropriate to your job.
Your employer is obliged by law to provide to you, without charge, any items which have been identified as necessary to protect your health and safety, including the appropriate health and safety training courses. The following list of personal protection is examples of such items but it is not exhaustive.
• Suitable protective clothing for persons working out of doors in rain, snow, sleet or hail and low temperatures
• Suitable protective clothing for persons working with materials such as asbestos or asbestos-based materials, lead, cement or concrete. Check your COSHH assessments.
• Eye protectors or shields where work activities / processes being carried out are likely to cause eye injuries.
• Respirators or breathing apparatus as protection against dust or fumes or lack of oxygen. Have you got a copy of the COSHH assessment for the substances you use?
• Safety nets, harnesses, lines, etc. to prevent falls where it is not practicable to provide working platforms.
• Ear protectors where it is not practicable to reduce noise below acceptable exposure levels.
• Safety Helmets to be worn when required by either site signage or identified risk.
• Steel toe capped footwear is mandatory on building / construction sites.
You are required by law to co-operate and wear such clothing and equipment where the circumstances demand it, store it in an appropriate place and report any defects.
Details on PPE are normaly contained within your health and safety policy or working procedures.
Ensure you find out what PPE you need to wear to make sure your job is done safely.
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