Essential PPE for the construction industry

What is the meaning of PPE?

PPE is real work safety equipment for workers

PPE or personal protective equipment is intended to protect employees against all possible risks that may arise on a construction site and which may cause minor or major health problems: falling objects, burns, cuts, chemical reactions , even irreversible lesions, etc. It should be noted that the construction sector, and the sector most affected by work accidents, the wearing of this personal protective equipment makes it possible to guarantee the safety of workers as optimally as possible even if there is no zero risk. not, PPE can reduce risks and therefore work accidents.

Why is PPE mandatory?

Employer obligation

In all construction companies, the employer has a safety obligation with regard to its employees. European Directive 89/656 and Article R233 of the French Labor Code define the following obligations:

• List all the risks in the workplace and evaluate the levels of risk (Article R4121-1-1 of the Labor Code).
• Remove the risk: implement collective and individual means of protection
• Choose PPE adapted to the risks, indeed each construction trade has its specificities
• Inform employees about the risks, the conditions of use of PPE
• Train and train employees in the use of PPE.
• Provide employees free of charge PPE for personal use essential for their job (article R4323-95 of the Labor Code).
• Ensure that employees use PPE
  Maintain PPE in a state of compliance
• Have periodically check the PPE according to the expiry date

Personal protective equipment on site is a measure for the prevention of occupational risks, with the aim of avoiding accidents at work. Wearing PPE has also become a legal obligation. In the construction industry, individual PPE is coupled with collective protection such as site panels, barriers, etc., which can also be described as essential site PPE. The goal being to minimize the risks, therefore an evolution of the risks is made upstream to put in place adequate individual and collective PPE.

Obligation of employees

Workers also have a role to play in preventing accidents at work and in particular obligations with regard to PPE:

• use PPE in accordance with instructions (instructions or regulations)
• professional use only
• respect the conditions of use, storage and maintenance
• report defective or expired equipment
• cleaning and maintaining PPE

Personal protective equipment is compulsory. Any employee who refuses to wear PPE incurs liability in the event of an accident, exposing themselves to the risk of serious accident as well as a sanction ranging from a fine to dismissal in the event of an accident the employer will also have a sanction which can go to the prison sentence in the worst scenario for a lack of its safety obligations towards its employees. Workers and employers have an equal share of responsibility.

What personal protective equipment is required on a construction site?

List of essential site PPE in the construction industry (painter, public works, construction, electrician, etc)

If the models of PPE can be slightly different depending on the trade in the construction sector (construction, public works, electricity, etc.) here is a list of the categories of essential PPE:

Construction gloves

They protect the hands against the risk of cuts, burns, electric shocks and chemical attacks, etc. Depending on the model of work-glovesr, they meet different standards:

• EN 388 standard: against mechanical risks.
• EN 374 standard: against chemical risks.
• EN 407 standard: against thermal risks.

Safety footwear

safety shoes are essential to protect the feet from the risk of injury, falls or objects, they must comply with the EN 345 ??standard. There are several 5 safety classes:

• Class S1: refers to safety shoes for indoor activities. They are resistant to oils and hydrocarbons, with a protective toe and have a heel that absorbs shocks.
• Class S2: for safety shoes for outdoor activities. These shoes are resistant to water penetration and absorption
• Class S3: it is the S2 standard with the addition of a studded sole and resistance to perforation.
• Class S4: The protection is 200 joules for the shell. All rubber or polymer shoes have antistatic properties. These shoes are resistant to oils and hydrocarbons, heel energy absorption and closed back.
• Class S5: The S4 standard as well as a studded sole and puncture resistance.

Head protection: safety helmets

Is important PPE to protect the head of workers with a helmet, this one protects against falls and falling objects. This must comply with standard NF EN 397/A1, to certify maximum safety.

Ear protection

The construction sector is a very noisy environment, to protect the auditory canal against the sometimes high sound level, protection must be worn, the absence of this PPE would risk balance disorders, tinnitus, ear infections, deafness, ear plug, and other problems. Several choices are available to you: noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, etc

Goggles

Essential in case of flying debris, dust, etc., the protective goggles make it possible to avoid fairly frequent risks on construction sites which can lead to irritation, allergies, conjunctivitis, burns. To protect your eyes as much as possible, you must choose glasses with specific characteristics for your working conditions such as: anti-UV, anti-spark, etc

Respiratory protection

Like masks, to avoid breathing chemicals and/or dust, masks protect against dangerous substances present in the air: dust, fumes, gas, vapour, mists, aerosols, etc. There are 3 main types of masks:

• FFP1
• FFP2
• FFP3

PPE against falls

Such as harnesses that prevent falls from heights and to protect the user in case of loss of balance. This protection helps to avoid the risk of fractures, etc.

Don't forget PPE such as: headphones, or safety shoes, safety trainers must be completed with workwear : Work pants , work overalls, or more specific work clothes such as high visibility clothing.