Feature protection against the identified hazards – that will be different for each job undertaken , and may also include specialist needs such as flame- and chemical-retardant materials – it is always recommended that the consultation and advice from professionals is obtained particularly with specialist work where for example chemical reactions may occur with the incorrectly specified gear .”
The following elements can also be considered when assessing suitability :
• Does the PPE protect the wearer from the risks and take account of the environmental conditions where the task is taking place ? For example , eye protection designed to protect against chemical spray may not offer adequate protection when using an angle grinder to cut steel or stone .
• Does using PPE increase the overall level of risk or add new risks , for example by making communication more difficult ?
• Can the PPE be adjusted to fit the wearer correctly ?
• What are the needs of the job and the demands it places on the wearer ? For example , the length of time the PPE needs to be worn , the physical effort required to do the job or the requirements for visibility and communication .
• If someone wears more than one item of PPE , are they compatible ? For example , does using a respirator make it difficult to fit eye protection properly ? requirement of green overalls at one site but blue at another , some sites require flame retardant or chemical suits . The need to cater to all site requirements grows considerably but further requires staff to continually be cognisant of various PPE requirements to gain access to sites .
QUALITY PPE quality involves well-designed products as well as quality materials . Overall quality and quality features , have shown positive results to encourage users to wear their protective gear and follow required workplace health and safety policies . This , in turn , reduces the likelihood of accidents and injuries occurring in the workplace .
Talking to various industry members , depending on the particular PPE item and application , the need for quality will vary . Items that are worn for long periods of time such as safety boots are very important in terms of quality , so comfort and durability is worth paying for . Safety glasses are not that important in terms of quality as they often need regular replacing due to scratching . Overalls are another common element that industry says should be a quality item purchase , as low quality products are prone to very short service life .
Further consideration can be applied to make sure that the protective items allow the user to complete their work tasks without causing difficulties in required movement . When choosing PPE , the correct fit and allowed range of motion is essential . Remember that PPE is not one-size-fits-all . You must take the users body shape into account and choose PPE that fits each employee correctly .
“ The weight of PPE is another important factor to consider . Heavy PPE will put your employees at risk of fatigue , which will affect their overall productivity and performance in the workplace . For that reason , lightweight PPE is often the preferred option , although you must ensure that the materials are strong enough to withstand damage and be ‘ fit-for-purpose , adds AJ Charnaud .
Another common challenge with PPE is the comfort element . If the PPE is uncomfortable to wear , then it is likely to incline employees to either not use it at all as required , or create distraction resulting in possible injury . Airflow is also important in many cases to avoid heat stress . This is particularly important during hot or humid months or where employees are exposed to the high heat environments as mentioned .
Industry also notes that a challenge in terms of PPE is that various sites may require very different PPE and this too can become costly as protocol for contractors may be the
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I August 2021 21