Using personal protective equipment

Use, maintenance and obligations concerning the use of PPE

• Occupational hygienic strategy (source approach)

  Wearing PPE is the last step taken to limit the risks as much as possible. The Working Conditions Act (article 3) denotes that the occupational hygienic strategy (source approach) must be followed. This strategy to limit the risks as much as possible contains the following steps:

  1. Combat risks at the source. For example, replacing a hazardous substance by a less hazardous substance. 
  2. Limiting risks by shielding risky elements (collective protection). For example, shielding moving parts of machines.
  3. Mitigating risks through organization. For example, by assigning certain tasks to employees who are educated for them or by limiting the exposure time through rotation.
  4. Using PPE. This is only allowed if steps 1-3 are taken and the risks cannot be reasonably reduced otherwise.

• Necessity of PPE and conditions that apply to PPE

  Wearing PPE is necessary when performing certain tasks. This is often described in the risk inventory and evaluation of the faculty or division. If different means of protective equipment are worn simultaneously, the PPE must match well: every means of equipment on its own must be used correctly, without it diminishing the protective effect.

  PPE must always comply with the following conditions:

  • be appropriate for the risks you are trying to prevent, without bringing an increased risk themselves
  • be in accordance with the circumstances in the workplace
  • be adjusted for the employee's ergonomics, health and comfort
  • be adaptable to the wearer. An employee with bad eyesight, for example, is entitled to safety glasses with corrective glasses, and safety shoes must be orthopedically adjustable to the wearer's feet
  • be adapted to the wearer

  Some examples of PPE:
  Safety glasses, safety shoes, safety helmets, hearing protection (ear plugs, otoplastics, ear muffs, etc.), lab coat, welding shield, gloves, face screens and dust filters.

  Not PPE:
  Computer glasses and equipment to protect against RSI do not fall under PPE.

• Safety requirements and CE marking PPE and education

  In the Netherlands PPE is included in the Commodities Act. The requirements are:

  • CE marking (placed on the product)
  • user manual (is included with the product)
  • EC declaration of conformity (manufacturer)
  • technical construction file (manufacturer)

  Appendixes 1 and 2 contain the instruction signs for wearing PPE and the PPE category classification. Based on European Guideline 89/686/EEG, the forms of PPE that fall under this guideline are classified in three categories or risk levels, namely I (simple), II and III (complex).

  Non-standard PPE is only ordered after consultation with experts. This is mainly relevant to PPE that must protect against high risks (category III).

  Education about the use of PPE

  A user manual is included with all PPE. The user should read the manual carefully and ask the supplier for advice, if needed.

• Maintenance and cleaning of PPE

  Prolonged usage of the protective equipment will cause wear and tear, such as deterioration of the material through vapours of solvents, damages and aging. In addition, the PPE gets dirty over time. To ensure the protective effect, PPE must be maintained periodically. Especially for Category III products, such as breathing protection, fall protection and chamical resistant clothing, maintenance by experts is imperative. In many cases, maintenance is done by an operator or supplier of the PPE. The user has a primary duty in daily maintenance as well.

  Cleaning and daily maintenance

  The daily maintenance of PPE in the responsibility of the user (the employee). Periodic cleaning is mainly important for work clothing, breathing protection and gloves. Dirty clothing cannot be taken home, but is cleaned by specialized companies (work clothing laundries). 

  The user manual describes how the user can safely use and maintain the protective equipment. It also denotes when periodic maintenance should happen.

  Inspections and specific maintenance

  Inspections and specific maintenance, for example for fall protection, are performed by an expert or someone qualified. The initiative for this comes from the management of the department. Keeping the inspection certificates until the follow-up inspection is recommended.

• Responsibilities, authorizations and supervision

  Supervision of wearing PPE
  The manager is responsible for supervision of wearing PPE within the department. If the manager is absent, agreements are made on supervision.

  People who do not perform duties in rooms where PPE is required
  People who only incidentally enter these rooms accompanied by a staff member who works there, are informed about the mandatory PPE for the room upon entering. The companion makes sure that this equipment is used.

  Accountability for behaviour
  Not complying with the regulations about wearing PPE can result in a fine imposed by the SZW Inspection. The employee themselves can also receive a hefty fine for not wearing the required PPE. Warnings or calling the employee to account for not wearing the required PPE by the manager should be taken seriously and can be part of the annual consultation.

  Responsibilities and authorizations

  Management of faculty or division:

  • Freely providing a sufficient amount of effective and appropriate PPE that has a CE marking.
  • (Organizing) providing education about the use of PPE.
  • Ensuring the use of PPE.
  • If employees do not wear PPE, taking disciplinary action.
  • Showing where and which PPE must be used with pictograms
  • Taking care of tools for PPE maintenance.

  Direct manager:

  • Supervising the actual wearing of PPE by employees, visitors and third parties.
  • (Organizing) providing education about the use and maintenance of PPE.
  • Calling the employee to account is PPE is not or incorrectly used.
  • (Organizing) performing of inspections and periodic maintenance.
  • Ensuring sufficient PPE for people who enter the rooms where PPE is mandatory with accompaniment.

  Employee:

  • Wearing PPE where prescribed. 
  • Cooperating with education organized for them.
  • Daily maintenance of the PPE and replacing in time according to the criteria for replacement.
  • Tidying up the PPE after use to the designated location.

• Abbreviations and information

  List of abbreviations:

  PPE: Personal Protective Equipment

  CE: Conformité Européen

  Information, laws and regulations and literature personal protective equipment

  • Working Conditions Decree, chapter 8, article 8.1-8.3 and article 4.4 (occupational health strategy) 
  • Praktijkgids Arbeidsveiligheid chapter 28 (in Dutch only)
  • https://www.nen.nl/en/arbeid-veiligheid/pbm-persoonlijke-beschermingsmiddelen (in Dutch only)
  • https://www.government.nl/faq/what-is-ce-marking-for-construction-products
  • When is testing and CE marking mandatory | Keuringsinstellingen consumentenproducten | NVWA (in Dutch only)

• Appendix 1: Pictograms

  PPE Pictograms

• Appendix 2: Category classification PPE

  Category 0: not within the guidelines

  • Protective equipment that have been designed and produced specifically for the armed forces or law enforcement (helmets, shields etc.)
  • Protective equipment for self-defense agains attackers (sprays, individual detterent weapons etc.)
  • Protective equipment that have been designed and produced for personal use and protecting against: certain weather conditions (head coverings, seasonal clothes, shoes and boots, umbrellas, moisture, water (dishwashing gloves etc.), heat (gloves etc.)
  • Protective equipment aimed at protecting or rescuing people aboard a ship or aircraft and that is not worn continuously.
  • Helmets and visors for users of motor vehicles with two or three wheels.

  Category 1: self inspection is possible for personal protective equipment aimed at protecting the wearer against

  • Mechanical factors that cause only superficial injuries (gardening gloves, thimbles etc.).
  • Relatively harmless cleaning products with consequences that can be counteracted (protective gloves for diluted cleaning products etc.).
  • the dangers of handling warm objects, which are not exposed to temperatures over 50°C, nor to dangerous punches or shocks (gloves, aprons for professional purposes etc.).
  • Weather conditions that are not exceptional or extreme (head covering, seasonal clothing, shoes, boots etc.).
  • small punches, shocks and vibrations that do not touch vital body parts and cannot cause permanent injuries (light head coverings to protect the scalp, gloves, light shoes etc.).
  • Sun radiation (sunglasses).

  Category 2: EC type examination

  All types of PPE that are not explicitly mentioned in the guidelines and do not fall within categories 0, 1, or 3, are in categorie 2.

  Categoryie 3: EC assurance system for the quality of the end product or EC Equality assurance system of the production with surveillance

  The following list concerns complexly designed PPE that must protect the user against dangers that are lethal or can cause serious and irreparable health damage, and of which the user cannot timely recognize the acute effects, according to the designer.

  In this category are exclusively:

  • Breathing protection devices with filters that protect against solid and liquid aerosols or against irritating, dangerous, toxic or radiotoxic gases.
  • Breathing equipment, including diving equipment, that completely locks out outside air.
  • Protective equipment that can only provide temporary protection against injuries from chemical factors or against ionising radiation.
  • Equipment for work in hot environments with effects that are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100°C or higher, with or without infrared radiation, flames or large quantities or molten material flying away.
  • Equipment for work in cold environments with effects that are comparable to those of an air temperature of -50°C or lower.
  • Equipment that protects for falls of certain heights
  • Protective equipment for electricity risks in working with dangerous voltages or that insulate for high voltage.

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