“The Last Line Of Defence”
PPE may be the “last line of defence” but wearing it is essential, expedient, and expected. PPE has its own legislation called the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations of 1992 (amended 2022). The legislation outlines clear requirements for provision and use.
Here Are 5 Steps 4 Safe Use Of PPE:
PPE ranges from goggles and gloves to back-supports and wrist-straps. It includes any safety or health protecting measure that can be worn.
All PPE must be:
Correct: it has to be suitable for the level of protection required and sufficient to cover all exposed body parts.
Compatible: does it work with other PPE being worn without impeding its effectiveness? Does it cause adverse reactions to the wearer (e.g. latex allergy)?
Comfortable: does it fit the wearer, or can it be adjusted? Can it be worn comfortably for the expected duration?
Condition: is it clean and undamaged? Is it stored and transported in suitable conditions without causing it damage?
Conformity: is it approved to British or appropriate EU standards? Does it match what is written within your risk assessment?
THE RAM SPEAKS
“A good RAM will specify what PPE to wear, when to wear it, and why. It should also include a reminder to perform the following checks.”
PPE CHECKS
Check it fits
Check it’s good
Check it’s right
Check it’s real
Check it works
Why Not First?
PPE is considered a last-line of defence control because, as a general principle, it acts to mitigate an incident rather than prevent or reduce the incident from actually happening.
For example, wearing goggles or gloves can be worn to protect from debris hitting your eye or chemicals spilling on your hands, but the hierarchy of control stipulates that primary controls should in place to prevent the debris from flying, or the chemical from spilling.
If, however, this is not possible, or those flying bits escape and the spilling stuff evades those primary controls which are placed to prevent the flying and spilling, then it is the PPE that “mitigates” – or lessens – the effect of the impact by providing a shield against contact.
The principle, therefore, is that it is better to just not flick it or spill it in the first place!
Call: 07878 126 442
Call: 07878 126 442