PE stands for “Protective Personal Equipment”. PPE is designed to protect the wearer from specific hazards, and should be used in conjunction with methods of hazard control such as general work practices. When using PPE signage, it usually means that the PPE protects from hazardous conditions during use, and therefore must be used for the protection of workers’ health and safety. Although there are many different types of PPE available on today’s market (much more than mentioned in this blog post), we’ll focus on those that are required by Health & Safety General Industry standards: 1) Eye Protection 2) Hearing Protection 3) Respiratory Protection 4) Protective Clothing 5) Foot and Hand Protection
The appropriate selection of any one or combination of these pieces of PPE should be identified by a risk assessment and/or required by the applicable Government standard(s). For many industries, there is a need for additional PPE equipment. Unique hazards may require engineering controls (e.g., fixed ladders), administrative controls (work procedures) or personal protective equipment to provide an adequate level of protection. Therefore, it is always best to consult with your safety professional in determining what type of PPE is needed for your particular industry or work area.
Guidelines for Selecting the Right PPE
There are 4 things to keep in mind when making selections on any type of Personal Protective Equipment: 1) Fit 2) Function 3) Effectiveness 4) Cost
1) Fit: Make sure the PPE is comfortable. Avoid selecting equipment that restricts movement or requires excessive physical effort to use properly. For example, safety glasses should fit comfortably on your face with no gaps or skin pinching.
2) Function: Does the PPE you are considering function as expected? Will it provide protection for which it was designed?
3) Effectiveness: Does this type of PPE provide a high level of protection from hazards?
4) Cost: Is the cost too expensive when compared to other alternatives? Consider how much disposable versus reusable parts there may be per each item, and whether special training would need to be provided to workers using them.
In summary, before selecting any piece of Personal Protective Equipment, be sure you: 1) Review applicable Government standards 2) Conduct a risk assessment 3) Select equipment that is comfortable to use and meets the required safety standard(s).
PPE Signage: Why Your Business Needs It
Why are we required to have PPE signage in the workplace? Just like businesses have signs for the first aid room, the smoking area, and braille signage for the blind, PPE signage is also a must. Why? Because PPE must be used to protect employees from hazardous conditions in the work environment. It is therefore essential that all pieces of PPE are labelled correctly so that they may be easily identified by employees or visitors to your premises.
Improper use of these signs could result in serious injury or even death for anyone who comes across them in a workplace or commercial property, especially if the company doesn’t require their usage. In addition, most State and Federal Governments require this type of signage as part of an employer’s safety program and duty to protect employees from hazards while on the job.
To ensure maximum effectiveness, you should place PPE signage where it is visible and readily detectable by workers entering an area where specific types of personal protective equipment are required to be worn. Your safety professional can help you determine the best location for PPE signage in your workplace or commercial property. Also, remember that these signs must be kept clean and readable at all times, and they should be replaced if damaged, faded or otherwise compromised in any way.
Finally, it is important to review your current inventory of PPE signs from time to time to check that they are still accurate and suitable for their respective use. If not, you may need to order new ones from a reputable manufacturer or distributor of PPE signage products who will keep you up-to-date with the latest industry standards on this type of important equipment. Also ensure your signs are always upright and visible, and if older signs need replacing or repair, contact a signage removal and repair professional to help ensure the job is doing quickly and correctly.
