Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

INTRODUCTION

By definition PPE are equipment designed to be worn or held by personnel for protection from work related hazards and risk which could endanger health and/or safety.

Personal protective equipment provides a barrier between the person at risk and the potential instrument of injury. The provision or the use of personal protective equipment does not reduce or replace the need for proper accident prevention methods. Specification of preventive measures shall always be explored before consideration of applicable personal protective equipment.

This section provides guidance on the use, storage, training and issue of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for certain tasks

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Our aims and objective is to ensure that all employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety and are provided with personal protection equipment that is appropriate to the risks involved in certain tasks.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

HAZARD ASSESSMENT & SELECTION OF PPE

PPE shall not cause an unacceptable encumbrance to the wearer it shall fit the wearer correctly and shall be used to reduce risk of harm to an individual.

It should be noted that PPE may reduce the risk of harm or injury occurring to an individual but will not fully replace the engineering controls and/or safe systems of work to protect the workforce in general.

Before selecting a PPE for a particular task it is necessary that an assessment of suitability of that equipment be undertaken. Proper PPE should be selected with respect to a task or particular circumstances and must be suitable to the risks involved and more so to the characteristic of the personnel or user.

VEGHS shall:

• Provide free of charge, the necessary personal protective equipment to all employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work;
• Establish a system whereby their employees can report the loss of or defects in PPE. This system shall also ensure that defective PPE is repaired or replaced before the employee concerned re-start the work.
• Make arrangements for the storage of PPE. The storage shall be so as to protect the equipment from damage or contamination. PPE which is stored ready for use shall be kept separate from that awaiting repair or maintenance.

VEGHS shall ensure that the PPE supplied:

·         Is appropriate for the risk or risks involved and the conditions at the place where exposure to the risk may occur;

·         Takes account of ergonomic requirements and the state of health of the person or persons who may wear it;

·         Is capable of fitting the wearer correctly, if necessary after adjustments within the range for which it is designed;

·         Is compatible with other items of PPE that may be required to be worn at the same time.

·         Is worn in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for use.

MAINTENANCE OF PPE

VEGHS shall:

• Identify the responsibility for carrying out maintenance of PPE together with the details of procedures to be followed and their frequency;
• Make arrangements for cleaning and disinfecting PPE if necessary before it is reissued.
• Issue guidelines on the expected useful lifetime of PPE equipment.

TRAINING

VEG HS shall:

• Ensure that his employees are trained in the proper use of PPE, how to correctly fit and wear it, and what its limitations are;
• Ensure employees are also trained in maintaining, repairing and testing the equipment and in its selection for use;
• Ensure that in addition to initial training, users of PPE and others involved with the equipment, shall be given refresher training;
• Keep records of all training undertaken;
• Training shall include elements of theory as well as practice in using the equipment, and shall be carried out in accordance with the recommendations and instructions supplied by the PPE manufacturer.

The instruction and training shall include:

Theoretical Training

• Explanations of the risks present and why PPE is needed.
• The operation, performance and limitations of the equipment.
• Instructions on the selection, use and storage of PPE related to the intended use.
• Factors that can effect the protection provided by the PPE such as: other protective equipment, personal factors, working conditions, fit, defects, damage and wear.
• Recognizing defects in PPE and arrangements for reporting loss or defects.  

Practical trainings

• Practice in putting on, wearing and removing the equipment.
• Practice in inspection and, where appropriate, testing of PPE before use.
• Practice in the maintenance which can be done by the user, such as cleaning and the replacement of certain components.
• Instruction in the safe storage of equipment.
• The extent of the training that is required will depend on the type of equipment, how frequently it is used and the needs of the people being trained.

List of Approved VEGHS PPE:

• Eye Protection Safety goggles or UV inhibitor Glasses
• Hand Protection -Rubber/Leather or Cotton Gloves
• Helmet – Glass fiber industrial type
• Foot Protection - Safety Shoes or Boots
• Respirator mask (chemical/paint spray/mist/dust)
• Safety Clothing (coverall the VEGHS prescribe uniform)
• Apron (plastic)