Personal Protective Equipment PPE

1. General principles: must be provided by the employer must be free of charge to employee (including replacements) must be used when directed by employer protection measure of last resort Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

2. Ear protection Must be worn when required Defects must be reported Disposable ear plugs: correct insertion used once only cleanliness

3. Ear protection Re-usable ear plugs: regular and careful washing fitted by a trained person must be good fit dust may irritate Ear defenders: well designed well made must be good fit

4. Eye protection�Foreseeable risk of eye injury� Employer must provide eye protection Employee must use it Hazards: impact of solids splashes of molten metal ingress of liquids, solids, dust exposure to glare

5. Eye protection�Foreseeable risk of eye injury� Equipment: spectacles goggles fixed and portable shields goggles specialist work activity goggles Use only the correct type for required protection

6. Skin protection Potentially harmful substances: pitch, tar, bitumen cement, brick and stone dust tile and plaster dust paint, varnish, lacquer adhesives wood dust, fibreglass, resins solvents, fuels, oils spirits, thinners, acids, alkalis ionising radiations and others

7. Skin protection Protective clothing: gloves, overalls, goggles aprons, boots, leggings, etc. according to work being done

8. Industrial glovesTypes and uses

9. Industrial glovesTypes and uses

10. Head protection Employers in construction must: provide, maintain and replace head protection as necessary ensure use, so far as is reasonably practicable unless there is no foreseeable risk of injury

11. Head protection Persons in charge of sites may make rules concerning the wearing of head protection Employees and self-employed persons must wear head protection when so required

12. Dust Any powder or dust including: cement, wood, stone silica, fillers, plaster Any excess dust can be harmful, ranging from: skin irritation to respiratory problems Possible long-term health problems

13. Respiratory protective equipment Selection of suitable type by competent person Factors: nature of hazards measured concentrations period of exposure vision communications confined spaces personal suitability

14. Respiratory protective equipment Training in the use of equipment must be given Stored in a clean, well-ventilated place

15. Respiratory protective equipment Disposable face mask: light, comfortable, cheap one user only eight hour maximum use, but less if high dust levels dispose of after use

16. Respiratory protective equipment Half-mask dust respirator: easily maintained freedom of movement may have �shelf life� colour coded cartridges

17. Respiratory protective equipment High efficiency dust respirator: full face protection correct fitting and use beards, spectacles, etc. may lessen efficiency

18. Respiratory protective equipment Positive pressure powered respirator: for long periods of work pump and filter approximately seven hours  use air leaks go outwards requires battery and filter  maintenance

19. Respiratory protective equipment Helmet and visor respirator: battery-operated fan and filter comfortable not for all hazards requires maintenance schedules

20. Respiratory protective equipment Compressed airline breathing apparatus: mask or hood with  compressed airline requires pure air at correct  pressure, humidity and  temperature air hose can restrict  movement

21. Respiratory protective equipment Self-contained breathing apparatus: mask, air regulator and  cylinder used only by a trained person selected by competent  person cylinder duration is 20 � 30 minutes

22. Control of substances hazardous to health Aim for �nil risk� If not reasonably practicable must use PPE Asbestos, lead, ionising radiations covered by own legislation. These require: a) special procedures b) competent and trained personnel