Personal Protective Equipment: Everything you need to know

From April 2022, employers’ responsibilities for providing Personal Protective Equipment are changing – so it’s important to keep in the loop. Whether you’re an industry expert or you’re only familiar with face masks and overalls, read on to find out more about this essential addition to any busy workplace.

What is PPE?

Personal Protective Equipment – more often known as PPE – is used across multiple sectors to protect people against hazardous materials and situations at work. While PPE can be used in medical settings to limit the spread of infectious diseases, it’s a big part of protecting employees in a wide range of environments.

From breathing apparatus protecting against the health implications of asbestos to reinforced steel toe-capped boots, it’s critical to know about the right kind of equipment your employees will need.

What types of PPE are available?

 

• Eye protection

 

A wide range of safety goggles are available, and they’re essential to protect eyes from foreign bodies including chemicals and shrapnel. Goggles should be present in any PPE kit and are usually chemical-resistant, scratch-resistant, and durable.

 

• Hand and arm protection

 

Gloves are an important part of any PPE kit. They’re usually disposable to reduce the risk of contamination, and they’re available in a variety of materials to suit your skin type and sensitivity.

 

• Ear protection

 

It’s essential to protect employees’ hearing in noisy working environments. With a quality pair of headphones or earplugs, the risk of hearing damage is significantly reduced.

 

• Respiratory (breathing) and face protection

 

From face coverings to respirator masks, there’s a huge selection of PPE to help protect the lungs from airborne contaminants and hazardous substances. PPE kits can also include face shields to divert splashes.

 

• Foot protection

 

Certain PPE kits are available with protective boots or shoe covers, with some even built to fit alongside a full-body suit.

 

• Whole-body protection

 

There are several different kinds of whole-body PPE including overalls, boiler suits and chemical suits, or high-visibility clothing for those working on the roads.

Who is responsible for providing PPE?

The law states that every employer must ensure that appropriate protective equipment is provided to employees who might be exposed to any health and safety risk at work – unless the risk is controlled by more effective means. 

Advice for employers: Things to consider before buying PPE kits

• Choose safety goggles according to size and shape to make sure they fit each employee well, especially if they wear prescription glasses
• Check the dimensions and materials of bodysuits, and order a few to ‘test’ before going ahead with a bulk order

With the right PPE, employees can perform tasks safely and with confidence that they’ll be suitably protected from hazards.