Safety of employees is a major issue and employers have a duty to ensure that the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and used in work environments that present risks.
Types of Safety Equipment
Personal protective safety equipment covers a range of items needed in different occupations. For example, in the construction industry, hard hats, safety helmets or hard caps may be required to ensure adequate head protection.
Eye and face protection is important in many industries such as those involving wood working or metal working. Safety goggles and face shields will offer the protection needed.
In areas where there are toxic substances, respiratory protection may be required and there is a range of safety masks available.
PPE also includes skin and hand protection. In addition to protection against injuries, hands also need to be protected from occupational skin diseases including skin cancers and contact dermatitis. Gloves used as PPE include heat resistant gloves, disposable gloves, rubber gloves, cut resistant gloves and many other types of hand protection to help avoid hazards such as those that may occur when working with chemicals, slippery objects or hot materials.
Hearing protection is also an important safety issue and industrial noise is a hazard that is unseen but can be harmful and cause noise-induced hearing loss. Ear defenders are often needed to protect against this and earplugs are sometimes used where there is low frequency noise.
Eye protection is needed in certain environments to protect the eyes from hazards. This can include safety spectacles, goggles or visors depending on the specific hazards in your workplace.
Safety footwear may be required in some industries. Steel toecap boots can protect against injury or your employees may need waterproof footwear or rigger boots, depending on the potential hazards.
In addition to ensuring that staff are equipped with the appropriate PPE, employers should also make sure that they are trained to use it properly and that all safety equipment is maintained in good condition.