Safety equipment, also known as ‘PPE’ is defined as all equipment which is intended to be worn or used by a person at work to protect him or her against one or more risks to their health and safety. PPE equipment includes safety helmets, protective overalls, gloves, eye protection, high visibility clothing, safety footwear, safety harnesses and clothing that offers protection against the weather.
The correct personal protective equipment can be chosen by carefully assessing the hazards to each employee within an organisation. If more than one form of PPE is required it is important to check that the two are compatible. For example some respirators may not fit properly when eye protection equipment is being used.
Safety equipment and PPE should be kept clean and well maintained, stored carefully and checked regularly. It is also essential that all who are required to use it, do so at all times and receive adequate health and safety training to ensure it is used and maintained correctly.
For more information on choosing the right safety equipment and PPE for your organisation, please contact us.
Below is more detailed information on different types of safety equipment.
High Visibility Clothing
High visibility clothing, including high visibility jackets, trousers polo shirts and vests are used in a range of industries to increase the visibility of workers, such as when they are working on or near to roads, in airports, on construction sites, ship yards and warehouses. The darker the conditions a person is working in, the more high visibility clothing they will need. Adverse weather conditions such as fog and heavy rain can also increase the need for high visibility clothing.
High visibility workwear is made from polyester fabric, with reflective strips. It comes in a range of bright colours, usually yellow and orange, and in all sizes from child through to xxxx-large. It is worn over the top of normal work wear.
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Safety Footwear
Safety footwear is designed to protect employees feet from a range of hazards including slipping on water / other spills, electrostatic build up, cuts and punctures, falling objects and dangerous chemicals.
Safety footwear should be chosen depending on the risks identified in the company risk assessment. There are a range of safety shoes, boots, trainers and Wellingtons available, which have protective toe-caps, and anti-slip, penetration-resistant soles.
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Dust Masks and Respirators
Dust masks and respirators are used to protect employees from dust, vapour, gas, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
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Protective Eye Wear
Protective eyewear is required wherever there is a danger to employee’s eyes from hazards such as chemical or metal splashes, dust, projectiles, gas, vapour or radiation. Protective eyewear comes in various forms, including safety spectacles, brow and face shield, gas welding goggles and direct vent goggles.
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Hand Protection
Hands must be protected where appropriate from abrasion, extremes of temperature, cuts and punctures, exposure to chemicals, electric shock, skin infections and contamination. There is a range of protective gloves available to suit all work requirements, including gloves with good grip, waterproof gloves, gloves for use in cold conditions and disposable gloves.
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Hearing Protection
Hearing protection includes eye protectors and plugs, which protect wearers from industrial noise. Care should be taken when choosing ear protection to ensure that it can be worn comfortable with any other PPE equipment that is required
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Head Protection
Protective headwear is required where there is a danger of being hit by either flying or falling objects, of bumping the head, or getting the hair tangled.
Safety caps can be used to protect the head from bumping into hard surfaces, and hard safety hats offer fuller protection from impact from a range of hazards.
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Protective Overalls
There are many work and industrial situations where the body is at risk from hazards such as temperature extremes, adverse weather, chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, impact or penetration or contaminated dust. In all of these situations protective overalls should be provided to ensure employees are protected from the identified risks. Protective overalls will also protect an employee’s own clothes.
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For more information on any of the above, and help in choosing the right products for your organisation, please contact us.
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