7 reasons to wear personal protective equipment

Personal Protective Equipment or PPE is an effective means designed to be worn by a person in order to protect them against possible risks that may threaten their safety or health. This equipment comes in many forms and is governed by the Labor Code. Therefore, the use of personal protective equipment is a real necessity to guard against many risks such as radiation, heat, skin exposure to a biological or chemical agent, crushing, shock and electrocution.

Lists of essential PPE

Whatever the sector of activity of the employees, there are basic PPE to protect:

• head and neck like helmet, bump cap and noise canceling headband
• ears: earplugs and earmuffs
• the eyes: protective goggles, masks and goggles
• hands: gloves
• feet such as boots, overshoes and safety shoes
• the body, namely the safety clothing
• the respiratory tract such as insulating masks and filtering masks

How to choose suitable personal protective equipment?

When the need for PPE arises, you must start choosing the right type of equipment according to the degree of protection needed and the level of risk in the work environment.

Adapt PPE according to the level of risk

To avoid unpleasant surprises when wearing PPE, it is imperative to choose equipment adapted to the danger. For jobs that repeat over a cycle, choosing the right PPE is easy. While for others, employers are much more exposed to danger and the choice should not be made in haste. For example, an artisan welder requires appropriate protection against harmful light rays, welding gases and molten metals. This is also the case for an electrician. Several protections must be made available such as welding goggles, mask and breathing apparatus. Not forgetting the welding helmet with air supply.

Include workers in the evaluation

Involving workers in the choice of the corresponding PPE is a good idea. The selection can be made according to the work environment and by asking the workers' ideas. You thus benefit from complete information concerning the acceptance of workers, the adjustment of PPE and the comfort obtained.

Take into account the comfort of company PPE

Unfitted and heavy equipment is far from comfortable. If this equipment is uncomfortable and unsightly, workers will find it difficult to wear it regularly. To do this, when choosing PPE, take comfort into account and be flexible so that the devices are comfortable to wear. In addition, they must meet the strict standards and regulations required.

Perform daily maintenance and checks of site PPE

The maintenance of PPE helps to optimize its lifespan and efficiency. This maintenance includes cleaning, replacements if necessary, care, appropriate storage and inspection. Among the essential maintenance of PPE, you must consider the inspection. It will allow you to detect all damaged equipment before it is used. Of course, PPE that shows signs of wear and no longer meets manufacturers' specifications must be replaced.

Raising staff awareness of wearing PPE: how to do it?

Through training and education, you will have the opportunity to educate employees to wear their PPE regularly. These programs must highlight the main objectives of wearing PPE. It is not enough that a person is required to wear PPE because the law or the employee requires it. It is imperative to explain to him all the dangers involved, which require the wearing of such equipment. In addition, the training does not stop at why to use a personal protective equipment, but also on when, where and how use it.

Who chooses PPE?

It is the employer who takes into account the level of risk, the characteristics of the workstation and the reliability of the PPE. After verifications and consultations, he provides the security measures that respond to the specific area. According to article R 4321-4 of the Labor Code, the equipment must be free and adapted. The employee also ensures the proper functioning of the PPE and above all checks their technical characteristics such as their expiry date.

The 7 good reasons to wear safety PPE

As a reminder, PPE includes all the accessories, equipment and clothing worn by a person exposed to risks on a construction site. To ensure the protection of all parts, even the most vital of the body, the models have diversified. You will find noise canceling headphones, earplugs, safety glasses, protective gloves, masks, clothing and protective footwear and many more. Many arguments and answers justify the wearing of these materials and protective clothing:

Protect yourself from accidents and injuries

Apart from occupational accidents, DIY accidents affect more than 300,000 people. There are many reasons for putting on PPE. Wearing PPE protects you against the risk of injury that may occur in your workplace, thus increasing your safety.

Ensuring the protection of your income

Whether you are a plumber, electrician, mason or florist, all jobs expose you to specific risks. Unfortunately, for the self-employed, the inability to work leads to a loss of income. To protect your health, income and standard of living, wear the right PPE.

Thinking about the future

Even if you are doing well today, you don't know what tomorrow will bring. There is nothing worse than losing your hearing, especially from not wearing the correct PPE while the sound of the sander is loud. The same for respiratory problems due to sanding wood, because you are not wearing a suitable mask. Maintain your health by favoring good accessories.

Consider obligations

Many professions must meet the obligations imposed by both the Labor Code and health standards. To avoid legal consequences, it is necessary to respect them.

Be a role model

Contrary to what some people think, wearing personal protective equipment is far from being restrictive. On the construction site, impressionable people like young adults or children and inexperienced people can put an eye on you. This is the perfect time to set an example for them by protecting yourself with corresponding equipment.

Being on top and enjoying the work

To match a green apron with a yellow helmet, purple gloves and blue boots is really classy. The manufacturers have developed several models and colors so that you can be at your best on the construction site. From now on, PPE can bring a touch of originality to your style thanks to their evolutions. By wearing suitable PPE, you will certainly work in peace and you will admire your work.