Guidance on specific items of personal protective equipment

Guidance

Guidance on specific items of personal protective equipment

Index

1. Head protection
2. Eye protection
3. Ear protection
4. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
5. Clothing
6. Foot protection
7. Hand protection

Table 1 - Brisitsh Standards for Eye Protection. ( This file can be downloaded British standards for eye protection (RTF, 10 KB)

Table 2 - British Standards for Respiratory protective Equipment.  (This file can be downloaded British standards for respiratory protective equipment (RTF, 16 KB))

Table 3 - Protective Gloves for Work with Chemicals.   ( This file can be downloaded Protective gloves for work with chemicals (RTF, 26 KB)

Head protection

The safety helmet (hard hat) is the usual form of head protection provided within the University. These should be approved to the standard BS EN 397 which should be inscribed on the hard hat.

As the plastic used for hard hats is adversely affected by sunlight, hard hats must be changed after a specified period. The date when a hard hat should be changed is marked on the hat and is normally 3 years after production.

Eye protection

There are many different types of eye protection available, thus it is vital that the correct equipment is provided to give protection against a specific hazard e.g. chemicals, projectiles and radiation. Table 1 identifies the relevant British Standard for eye protection against various types of hazard. Certain eye protection can protect against several hazards.

Ear protection

There are two types of ear protection, ear plugs and ear muffs. Ear plugs fit into the ear canal and are usually disposable, whereas ear muffs cover the ear. When selecting ear protection consideration must be given to both the level and the frequency of the noise in question. Ear protection should be selected which will achieve the necessary attenuation at the frequency(s) of the noise.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

RPE is available in different forms which are designed to protect against different types of hazards. When selecting RPE is important to realise its limitations with respect to protection and to appreciate that any mask will not protect against all respiratory hazards e.g. a nuisance dust mask will not protect against toxic gases.

Table 2 gives the British Standard guidance for respiratory protection equipment. It is important to appreciate that RPE does not give absolute protection against a respiratory hazard. The Assigned Protection Factor (APF) determines the level of protection provided inside the mask relative to the level outside the mask. Thus before RPE issued, all other control measures should be considered and RPE issued only as a last resort.

There is a legal requirement to perform tests on all RPE (except disposable masks used for less than 1 month) every month to ensure they are working satisfactorily. The tests should include a visual examination of the mask including the integrity of the straps, facepiece, filters and valves. Records of such examinations must be kept by the School/Unit.

Clothing

There are many different types of clothing that may be regarded as PPE. These include laboratory coats, high visibility jackets, body warmers for those working in cold environments etc.

Clothing should be selected which will protect the user from the specific hazard(s). Clothing should be sufficiently robust with respect to the work activity and be able to withstand exposure to the relevant hazard(s).

Foot protection

It is important that the correct footwear is supplied and used to eliminate or minimise the risks from hazards associated with work activity.

With respect to safety toecaps, there are two types of safety toecap shoes/boots, one withstanding a 200 joule impact and the other only withstanding a 100 joule impact. Further shoe/boot protection against penetration can also be provided in the sole to stop penetration by sharp objects e.g. nails etc. Other features of footware for use in work places include antistatic, insulation against heat or cold, energy absorption in the seat of the shoe/boot and resistance to penetration and absorption of water.

Hand Protection

There are many different types of gloves for hand protection against most hazards e.g. mechanical hazards, cutting hazards, chemical and biological hazards, heat, cold, radiation and static electrical hazards. It is important that the hazards faced by the worker have been identified so that the most appropriate type of hand protection can be selected and used.

Gloves are made of many different substances e.g. latex, nitrile, vinyl etc. and it is known that each of these types of gloves have different protective properties e.g. penetration times for different chemicals. No one type of glove will provide protection against all substances. It is therefore important that the person selecting the gloves should ensure that the type issued will provide adequate protection against the hazard in the work activity.

The use of gloves may cause dermatitis. Any worker who is showing signs of dermatitis should contact the University Occupational Health Adviser.

Note : Due to the risks of allergic responses, powdered latex gloves should not be used (see HAZARD ALERT - Powered Latex Rubber Gloves).

Guidance documents

Protective Gloves for work with Chemicals. Published by Health and Safety Executive (Sheet IND(G)330. ISBN: 0 7176 1827 7 (2000).

Table 1 - British Standards for Eye Protection

(British standards for eye protection (RTF, 10 KB) can be downloaded)

Table 2 - British Standards for Respiratory Protective Equipment

(British standards for respiratory protective equipment (RTF, 16 KB) can be downloaded)

Table 3 - Protective Gloves for Work with Chemicals

(Protective gloves for work with chemicals (RTF, 26 KB)can be downloaded)

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British standards for eye protection (RTF, 10 KB)

British standards for respiratory protective equipment (RTF, 16 KB)

Protective gloves for work with chemicals (RTF, 26 KB)