Personal protective equipment is required in many different industries, for many different reasons. However, it all comes down to the same basic need; the need to look after the safety and well being of your employees. Accidents at work happen; even with the best care and attention, it is never possible to completely eliminate all possible hazards in the workplace, but protective equipment can help to reduce these risks substantially.

Why It’s Important

The provision of personal protective equipment is regulated by law; the main requirements are covered by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002, and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

Employers have to provide and maintain protective equipment for their workers because they have a duty of care to the people they employ; if they neglect this duty then they may be held liable for any injuries suffered as a result.  In addition, it’s naturally in the business’s best interest to make sure that workers are protected, as this will reduce the likelihood of time-lost accidents which can be very costly.

What to Consider

With any type of protective equipment, there are a number of factors that you need to consider.

Firstly, is it suitable for the conditions of the work in question – does it provide the right level of protection? Providing inadequate protection is just as neglectful as failing to provide it in the first place, so choosing the correct protection is vital.

Secondly, will employees need any training on its correct use? If worn improperly, it may not provide the right protection and again, if this training was not provided, this could be seen as a failing in the employer’s duty of care.

Finally, will it fit properly? Is it compatible with other items of protective equipment that will be needed at the same time? Will it still allow the worker to complete the tasks that they are required to perform, or will it get in the way? If their protective equipment is uncomfortable, or so bulky as to interfere with their work, employees may neglect to use it.

Two of the most frequently used forms of personal protective equipment are gloves and respirators.

Gloves

If your employees need to handle any substance which could be harmful to their skin, and there are no measures that you can take to avoid contact with these substances, then you will need to provide the right kind of gloves to protect them.

For work which requires a high level of manual dexterity, the main choices are usually latex gloves, nitrile gloves or vinyl gloves. These are ideal for wet work, where prolonged contact with water can cause dermatitis, especially with soaps and detergents involved, and for medical purposes. For example, they are often used by hairdressers when shampooing clients’ hair, and of course they are extensively used by doctors, nurses, dentists and other healthcare workers. Latex often provides a higher degree of sensitivity, but can cause allergy issues – where allergies are an issue, nitrile is often the preferred alternative.

For heavy, manual work, there are a range of different industrial gloves available. The main factors to consider here are the precise hazards involved – do you need gloves that are resistant to cuts, to chemicals, to abrasions, etc. – and the level of dexterity required by the work.

Whilst it may seem that little training is required for employees to wear gloves, there are factors to consider here, too. If the exterior of the glove is exposed to harmful chemicals, for example, your employees must know how to remove their gloves without contaminating their hands, which is demonstrated by this HSE video.

Respirators

If working conditions mean that there may be harmful substances contaminating the air – dust, gases or fumes, for example – then you will need to provide your employees with respirators or masks which will protect their lungs.

Respirator face masks are rated to different standards based on the percentage of airborne particles that they filter out, and the amount of inward leakage they may allow around the edges:

• FFP1 filters at least 80% of airborne particles and allows less than 22% leakage
• FFP2 filters at least 94% of airborne particles and allows less than 8% leakage
• FFP3 filters at least 99% of airborne particles and allows less than 2% leakage.

The most important training required for respirators is in how to wear them properly; if they are poorly fitted or worn incorrectly, they will not provide the right protection and will expose your workers to airborne hazards.

Here at the Glove Club, we offer a wide range of personal protective equipment to help you care for your staff and comply with health and safety regulations. For advice, recommendations and more information, you can call us on Free Phone 0500 456 832 or contact us online.