How to choose personal protective equipment?

Falling objects, cuts, burns, chemical and biological contamination, these are all dangers that workers face in the workplace. On this, wearing PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is the best way to deal with it.

What is Epi?

Indeed, workers must benefit from good protection against certain risks that can create health problems for them or reduce their productivity. Personal Protective Equipment or PPE protects the entire body of employees against any risk of work accident on the construction site. However, the choice of this protection device must always comply with the recurring needs in terms of safety and security on site.

The labor code governs the wearing of PPE for employees as stipulated in article Art. R.233-83-3 of the Labor Code recalls the risks that can threaten the safety of an individual or the health of that person. here when he is working. These regulatory texts therefore recommend the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to prevent this type of risk. According to European Directive 89/686/EEC.

Individual or collective protection?

The term PPE is defined as a means or device that will be held or worn by the person in order to protect them against one or more of these risks. It should be emphasized that it is the protection that is individual and not the equipment, as many people think.

Collective protection is a device, mechanism, device or installation capable of protecting employees against one or more occupational risks and thus limiting their consequences. Collective protective equipment protects all employees. There are four means of collective protection:

• protection by distancing (marking, diversion, etc.)
• protection by obstacles (safety railing, etc.)
• protection by attenuating a nuisance (soundproofing the room, enclosure of the machined part, dust extraction, ventilation, etc.
• protection by logging of a dangerous function during interventions.

Which PPE for which risk?

There are several types of PPE:

• E.P.I. for the head: helmet with chinstrap, cap,..
• E.P.I for the ears Hearing protection helmet, Noise canceling headband
• E.P.I. for the eyes and the face: visor, glasses, ..
• E.P.I. for the respiratory tract: mask
• E.P.I. for the body: a high visibility set, ..
• E.P.I. for the upper limbs: glove, harness..
• E.P.I. for the lower limbs: safety shoes, trousers with knee pads.

PPE, the different categories: 1, 2, 3

All PPE falls into a category of protection against risks, there are three categories:

• I-superficial mechanical aggressions this category requires CE self-certification
• II-intermediate risks between I and III; we are talking about mechanical, physical or chemical injuries. Equipment in this category must protect against shocks affecting vital parts of the body and likely to cause irreversible damage. CE certification is affixed by an authorized body after testing.
• III - irreversible or fatal risk; PPE in this category must have CE type certification followed by a production check carried out by an authorized organization.

Work equipment: mandatory wearing of PPE?

As stipulated in Article L.230-2 of the Labor Code, employers must develop collective protection programs aimed at preventing and protecting employees from potential occupational risks. In this regard, wearing PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is one of the recommendations to follow. Employers therefore have the obligation to provide free PPE to their employees, while employees are obliged to wear it.

There are several ranges of personal protective equipment and their uses differ for each area of ??activity. In this regard, we distinguish several protective devices: safety helmets , protective glasses, earplugs, respiratory protection masks, work gloves, overalls and other safety shoes.

Depending on the seriousness of the risks faced by workers, there are three main categories of personal protective equipment. Thus, category I lists the equipment that will protect the employee against all kinds of superficial attacks, both mechanical and those of strong>chemical or physical (masks). Vibrations and small shocks which do not affect vital parts of the body and which cannot cause irreversible damage are also included in this first classification. The same applies to protection against solar radiation. As for category II, it includes serious attacks that can be physical, chemical or mechanical, as well as shocks that affect vital parts of the body and which are likely to cause irreversible damage. Finally, category III will protect the worker against mortal dangers. Indeed, to limit falls from height, there are safety harnesses.

Conditions of use of PPE

From this classification, we can already determine about ten families of personal protective equipment depending on the area of ??the body to be protected. This is how head protection includes helmets and shells for riders, the hardware and specific helmets, as well as crash helmets and accessories. In this category, a distinction is made between eye protection, respiratory protection, hearing protection and face protection. You can still find different equipment for hand protection, feet and body. Finally, we must not forget the specific protections and the various devices against falls from height.

What are the individual protection measures for workers?

In a work situation exposing workers to nuisances, the employer must first identify and assess these risks. This risk assessment will enable it to define priority preventive measures in order to preserve the health and safety of its employees. The main objective of these measures will be to eliminate or reduce the risks.

Respirators are used for the following reasons. First, they can be used to prevent exposure to harmful substances in the air. Second, they may be required by regulatory agencies as part of an occupational health and safety program.

INRS personal protective equipment protects workers against injury and illness. The materials used to make these products must meet certain standards to protect the user from chemicals, radiation, heat and electrical hazards.

The method of protection you choose depends on the situation and your preferences. There are many types of weapons for self-protection, including pepper spray, stun guns, and tasers.

One of the most important things you can do to stay safe on the job is to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE includes items such as gloves, hard hats, and earplugs.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to protect people from hazards in the workplace. These may include, but are not limited to, safety goggles, breathing masks, helmets, gloves and earplugs.

Choose only standardized equipment

To optimize the conditions of use of personal protective equipment must meet the standards of specific security. Here are a few:

Firstly, safety helmets must provide optimal head protection against falls. For this, they must comply with the European standard EN 397. Basically, this defines physical requirements such as shock absorption capacity up to 5 kN, or resistance to penetration and flame.< /p>

Safety helmets are used in particular in the construction and public works sectors. There are therefore various types of helmet, in particular helmets with hearing protectors which make it possible to limit earplugs. Here is an exhaustive list of the standards in force for helmets:

Secondly, the range of hearing protection regulated by the EN 352 standard includes earplugs and noise canceling headphones. Basically, this defines the basic requirements to protect against high sound levels.

Thirdly, depending on their use, protective eyewear must meet one of the EN 166, EN 175 or EN 169 standards.

Fourthly, respiratory protection masks must comply with the EN 149 standard. Indeed, this ensures better protection of the respiratory tract against chemicals and dust.

Fifthly, by being used in handling tasks or manipulation of contaminants and dangerous products, protective gloves must meet certain standards:

Sixthly, safety shoes are crucial to protect the feet against any risk of injury, falling objects and contamination. To do this, they must comply with the EN 20345 standard. In addition, this standard includes other, more specific ones:

• SB: for models with closed back or not, equipped with protective toe cap and resistant to abrasion and slipping.
• S1: for those with closed back and equipped with antistatic properties and resistant to hydrocarbons.
• S2: S1 with water-repellent upper.
• S3: S2 with presence of anti-perforation soles and studs.
• S4: S1 with water resistance.
• S5: S4 with presence of anti-perforation and water-resistant soles.

Lately, work clothes must also meet certain safety standards. The most common is the ISO 13688 standard. This defines the general performance requirements in terms of ergonomics, safety, comfort, etc. In addition, we can cite some specific standards such as

• EN 469: intended for PPE for firefighters.
• EN 531: for specific work clothing for workers exposed to heat.
• EN 24920: for water resistant workwear and the impermeability of a fabric.
• ISO 11612: for heat and flame resistant workwear.

For additional information on standards and regulations click here.

Where to find the perfect outfit and PPE?

Today, it is easy with Oxwork to find personal protective equipment that perfectly meets the needs of workers in terms of protection. The big brands are constantly innovating. The design is always highly sought after and follows the latest trends. Oxwork offers you this personal protective equipment at the best price.

Need assistance with PPE? Do not hesitate to contact us directly on the site oxwork.com