Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the Workplace
Course Overview
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is any clothing or equipment which, when worn and used correctly, protects part or all of the body from some foreseeable risk of injury or disease.
PPE includes items such as protective footwear, headwear, gloves, hearing protection, breathing apparatus and eye protection.
When assessing risk, PPE is the least effective mechanism for control. The most effective method of controlling risk is to eliminate the hazard, hence removing the need to provide PPE. The most important thing to remember is that PPE will protect workers from hazards if:- It is the correct equipment for the task.
- It is worn correctly.
- It is worn all of the time, e.g. hearing protection will have its optimum effect when it is worn for the entire exposure time.
This package will discuss the many types of personal protective equipment, and the indications for their use.
Key Content- The risk assessment process.
- The Hierarchy of Control.
- Duty of Care responsibilities.
- Various types of PPE.
- Specific indications for the use of certain PPE.
- Maintenance and replacement of PPE.
- Training of employees.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this package, learners should be able to:- Identify suitable options for control prior to choosing PPE.
- Discuss the shortcomings of some PPE in terms of long-term use.
- Appreciate the need for regular replacement and maintenance of PPE.
- Determine the best type of PPE for certain conditions and situations.