The Importance Of Choosing Quality Protective Equipment

mportant to ensure the correct selection ofprovide control measures, to ensure that no staff
personal protective equipment is made as not allmember is exposed to an atmosphere that is or
safety equipment will meet the samemay be injurious to health.
performance requirements or provide the sameProtective clothing and sunscreen shall be provided
protection. For example, not one type of glovefor staff that are required to work outdoors and
provides adequate protection against all chemicalsare exposed to the sun's rays for continuous
or a respirator designed to be effective againstperiods in a day. Direct exposure of the skin to
medium air levels of a chemical may not beUV radiation from outdoor work shall be
effective against high levels of the same chemical.minimized by providing hats, long sleeves/trousers
When selecting the appropriate personaland an adequate supply of sunscreen.
protective equipment, consideration should beHand protection shall be provided where there is
given to elements such as: durability, permeability,an identified hazard associated with a potential for
abrasion resistance, burn resistance, insulation, cuthand injury.
resistance, size, comfort, and the ability to beProtective footwear or safety shoes shall be
cleaned.provided where the nature of the work exposes
Personal protective equipment is designed for athe employee to a medium to high risk of injury
specific duty and the most common forms cometo feet.
in these categories:High visibility safety vests shall be provided and
Head protection in the form of a safety helmetworn where there is a risk of injury associated
shall be worn where, there is a possibility that awith working on or near roadways or near
person may be struck on the head by a fallingmoving traffic or moving plant.
object, a person may strike their head against aFall protection harness should be provided when
fixed object, and there may also be inadvertentpersonnel need to work at heights.
head contact with electrical hazards.Any protective equipment provided for use should
Eye protection shall be provided where a risk ofbe appropriate for the wearer and that it controls
eye injury exists. Typical hazards might includethe risk. For the protective equipment to be fully
flying particles, dust, splashing substances, harmfuleffective, the wearer needs to be trained on its
gases, vapors, aerosols, and high intensityuse. Protective equipment should be in a clean and
radiation from welding operations.hygienic condition for the wearer. This equipment
Hearing protection shall be provided where a riskshould not be shared between wearers unless the
of noise induced hearing loss exists. The need forequipment is deemed to be clean. Any protective
hearing protection shall be assessed from theequipment used should be stored and located in
conduct of noise surveys in potential noise hazardan appropriate place so that it remains clean and
areas. If one cannot hear a normal conversationnot exposed to the elements. Any storage areas
from two feet away, hearing protection is mostfor protective equipment should be clearly defined.
likely needed.Look for the manufacturer's label for instruction
Respiratory protection shall be provided, after allon care and any special requirements.
other practicable measures have been taken to