Need for a PPE and conditions that a PPE must meet In order to work safely, employees may need personal protection, such as in laboratories and workshops. Personal protective equipment offers protection against accidents. They protect the head, face, eyes, ears, hands or feet. Think, for example, of splashing a corrosive substance in the eye, which can have irreparable consequences.
The Working Conditions Act stipulates that employers must make protective equipment available free of charge. PPE must comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Commodities Act Decree. In addition, the employer is responsible for proper information about use and maintenance.
PPE is basically personal. This means that they may not be used successively by different employees, unless they are sufficiently cleaned, dedusted or disinfected with each change of user.
This information document provides general information about the use, maintenance and obligations surrounding the use of PPE.
Occupational hygiene strategy (source approach)
Wearing PPE is the last step taken to minimize the risks. The Working Conditions Act (Article 3) indicates that the occupational hygiene strategy (source approach) must be followed. This risk mitigation strategy includes the following steps:
1. Combating risks at source This may mean, for example, that when a hazardous substance is used, it is replaced by a less hazardous substance.
2. Limiting risks by shielding risky elements (collective protection). This includes shielding moving parts of machines.
3. Limiting risks organisationally. An example of this is to have certain activities performed by employees who have been trained for this or by limiting the exposure time through rotation.
4. Using PPE. This is only allowed if the aforementioned steps 1 to 3 have been completed and the risks cannot be reduced in any other way or if this is not reasonably possible.
Need for a PPE and conditions that a PPE must meet
When performing certain activities, it is necessary to wear PPE. This is often described in the risk inventory and evaluation of the faculty or service. The choice must also take into account the coordination of different protective equipment in cases where they are worn simultaneously. The protective equipment must be well matched to each other, so that each protective equipment can be used correctly without compromising the protective effect.
PPE must always meet the following conditions:
- be suitable for the risks to be avoided, without implying an increased risk yourself
- in accordance with workplace conditions
- are attuned to the ergonomics, health and comfort of the employee
- adaptable to the wearer. An employee with poor eyesight is entitled to safety glasses with corrective lenses. Another example is safety shoes, these must be orthopedically adaptable to the foot of the wearer
- be adapted to the wearer
Some examples of PPE:
Safety glasses, safety shoes, safety helmets, hearing protection (earplugs, otoplastics, earmuffs, etc.), lab coat, welding hood, gloves, face shields and dust filters.
No PPE:
Monitor glasses and means to prevent RSI are not covered by the PPE.
Safety requirements and CE marking PPE and information
- CE mark (applied to the product)
- user manual (comes with the product)
- EC declaration of conformity (manufacturer)
- technical manufacturing file (manufacturer)
Annexes 1 and 2 contain the mandatory signs for the wearing of PPE and the category classification of PPE. Based on the European Directive 89/686/EEC, the PPE that falls under the scope of the directive is divided into three categories or risk classes, namely I (simple), II and III (complex).
Non-standard PPE is only ordered after consultation with experts. This is especially important for PPE that must provide protection against high risks (category III). Information and education on the use of PPE
The manual is supplied with all PPE. The user should read the manual carefully and ask the supplier for advice if necessary.
Maintenance and cleaning PPE
After long-term use of the protective equipment, there will be wear over time, this can be of various nature. i.a. there is damage to the material due to solvent vapors, damage, aging, etc. The PPE also becomes dirty over time. PPE must be maintained periodically to ensure its protective effect. Maintenance by experts is especially important for category III products, such as respiratory protection, fall protection and chemical-resistant clothing. In many cases, maintenance is carried out by a manager or supplier of the PPE. The user also has a primary task in daily maintenance.
Cleaning and daily maintenance:
The daily maintenance of PPE is the responsibility of the user (the employee).
Periodic cleaning is especially important for work clothes, respiratory protection and gloves. It must be prevented that contaminated clothing is taken home. Cleaning should be done by specialized companies (laundry for work clothes).
The user manual of the respective PPE provides information with which the user of the PPE can operate and maintain it safely. Periodic maintenance must be carried out by following the operating manual.
Inspections and specific maintenance:
Inspections and specific maintenance for, for example, fall protection, is carried out by an expert or a person authorized to do so. The initiative for this lies with the management of the department. It is recommended to keep the inspection certificates until the follow-up inspection.
Responsibilities, powers and supervision
Persons who do not perform work in the areas for which PPE is mandatory
Persons who, under the supervision of a staff member working there, only occasionally enter the areas, will be made aware of the mandatory PPE for the area when entering. The supervisor ensures that these resources are used.
Supervision of wearing PPE
The manager is responsible for supervising the wearing of PPE within the department. When the manager is not present, agreements are made about supervision.
Addressing behavior
If the agreements about wearing PPE are not met, a fine can be imposed by the Inspectorate SZW. The employee himself can also be fined for not wearing the required PPE. Warnings or addressing the employee by the manager about not wearing the required PPE must be taken seriously and can be part of the annual appraisal. 549 / 5.000
Responsibilities and authorities
Faculty or service management:
Making sufficiently effective and appropriate PPE available free of charge that bears a CE marking.
Providing information and instruction about the use of PPE.
Ensure that PPE is used or have it used.
Failure to wear PPE by employees taking disciplinary action.
Indicate by means of pictograms where and which PPE should be used
Provide resources for the maintenance of PPE.
Direct supervisor:
Supervise the actual wearing of PPE by employees, visitors and third parties.
Providing information and education about the use and maintenance of PPE.
Addressing the employee if PPE is not used or is used incorrectly.
Carrying out inspections and specific maintenance.
Ensure sufficient PPE for persons who visit the areas under supervision, for which PPE has been made mandatory.
Colleague:
Wear PPE where prescribed.
Contribute to information and education organized for him/her.
Daily maintenance of the PPE and timely replacement in accordance with the replacement criteria.
PPE must be disposed of in the designated place after use.
List of Abbreviations:
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
CE: European Conformity
Information, Law & Regulations and literature personal protective equipment
Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 8, Articles 8.1-8.3 and Article 4.4 (Workplace Hygiene Strategy)
Practical Guide to Occupational Safety Chapter 28
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Appendix 1: Pictograms
Pictograms PBM
Appendix 2: Category classification of PPE
Category 0: not covered by the Directive
Protective equipment specially designed and prepared for the armed forces or law enforcement (helmets, shields, etc.).
Protective equipment for self-defense against attackers (aerosol cans, individual deterrent weapons, etc.).
Protective equipment designed and manufactured for private use and for protection against: certain weather conditions (headgear, seasonal clothing, shoes and boots, umbrellas, moisture, water (dishwashing gloves, etc.), heat (gloves, etc.).
PPE intended for the protection or rescue of persons on board ships or aircraft and which are not worn permanently.
Helmets and visors for users of two or three wheel motor vehicles. 1.004 / 5.000
Category 1: self-examination is possible with personal protective equipment intended to protect the wearer against
Mechanical factors causing only superficial injuries (gardening gloves, thimbles, etc.).
Fairly harmless cleaning agents whose effects can be reversed (protective gloves against cleaning agents in diluted solution, etc.).
The dangers of handling hot objects, where it is not exposed to a temperature of more than 50 degrees C, nor to dangerous impacts or shocks (gloves, aprons for professional purposes, etc.).
Weather conditions that are not exceptional or extreme in nature (headwear, seasonal clothing, shoes, boots, etc.).
Small impacts, shocks and vibrations that do not affect vital parts of the body and the consequences of which cannot cause permanent injury (light head coverings to protect the scalp, gloves, light shoes, etc.).
Sun rays (sunglasses).
Category 2: EC type-examination
All types of PPE that are not explicitly mentioned in the Directive and do not fall under categories 0, 1 or 3 fall under category 2.
Category 3: EC guarantee system for the quality of the finished product or EC quality guarantee system for supervised production
The following list concerns PPE of complex design that is intended to protect the user against hazards that are fatal or can cause serious and irreparable harm to health and of which, according to the designer, the user cannot recognize the acute effects in a timely manner.
This category only includes:
- Respiratory protection equipment with filters that protect against solid and liquid aerosols or against irritating, hazardous, poisonous or radiotoxic gases.
- Breathing equipment, including diving equipment, which completely shuts off the outside air.
- Protective equipment that can only provide temporary protection against injuries caused by chemical factors or against ionizing radiation.
- Equipment for working in hot environments with effects comparable to air temperature of 100 degrees C or higher, with or without infrared radiation, flames or large amounts of flying molten material.
- Equipment for work in cold environments with effects comparable to that of an air temperature of -50 degrees C or lower.
- Protective equipment that offers protection against falls from certain heights.
- Protective equipment against electricity risks when working at dangerous voltages or insulating at high voltage.
