What Is PPE, and When Do You Need To Use It?

What is PPE?

PPE, the abbreviation for Personal Protective Equipment, is a type of equipment that shields a user from health and safety risks at the workplace. It might include hard hats, safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, bright clothing, safety shoes, and safety harnesses.

Types of PPE

PPE includes clothing, tools, and accessories that safeguard against various dangers. Multiple choices are available, each designed for different types of protection, duration, body part, and many other factors. The general classification of PPE types:

Clothing;

Eye and face protection;

Head protection;

Protective footwear;

Skin protector;

Harnesses;

Respiratory protective equipment;

Hearing protective devices;

Sun and heat protection;

Disposable protective clothing;

Levels of PPE

Level A: These PPEs provide the highest level of defense against skin infections or airborne pathogens and include things like:

- self-contained breathing device with a full facepiece (SCBA);

- gloves and boots resistant to chemicals;

- disposable gloves and boots;

- vapor-proof clothing;

Level B: When the highest amount of respiratory protection is needed, protection at level B is necessary. A lower level of skin protection is required, nevertheless. These include things like:

- self-contained breathing device with a full facepiece (SCBA);

- bodysuits;

- masks and gloves;

- chemically resistant hooded garment;

- boots resistant to chemicals;

Level C: Level C PPE is employed when there is a concentration and kind of airborne contaminants present or when air-purifying respirators are required in the area. Level C comprises:

- gloves resistant to chemicals;

- helmets;

- respirator with full-face air purification;

- boots;

Level D: This Level D of PPE is typically worn as a uniform to provide daily protection or reduce the possibility of hazardous contamination. These may consist of:

- safety footwear;

- full-body suits;

- facemask;

When do you need to use PPE?

In places of employment like factories and industrial sites, PPE is crucial to guarantee protection against significant hazards. Despite safe working procedures and adequate training, accidents and equipment malfunctions can still happen and could lead to life-threatening injuries.

Chemical splashes, big objects falling, and long-term air pollutants are common concerns for workers. The danger of injuries would be significantly reduced, and workers would be safeguarded in accidents by using the proper, well-tested PPE.

What do you need to consider when choosing PPE?

- First of all, the type of expected exposure. Some examples include direct contact, splashes or sprays, or significant amounts of blood or bodily fluids that could seep through the clothing. In this case, the combination of PPE is determined by the type and quantity needed for the worker.

- The second factor is the durability and adequacy of the PPE for the type of work. This will impact the decisions like choosing an apron or gown for PPE and whether it needs to be fluid resistant, fluid proof, or neither.

- The last factor is fit. PPE needs to be customized to each user, and it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the PPE provided has sizes suitable for the workforce that needs to be protected.