Wearing PPE how to raise awareness?

PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is an effective means of protecting a person against risks that may endanger their health or safety at work. The wearing of PPE is governed by the Labour Code. However, this equipment can be inconvenient and creates a feeling of discomfort when it has to be worn for long hours. It is up to the company manager to improve hazard prevention and raise employee awareness about wearing this equipment.

Why is it important to wear PPE?

There are several reasons why employers should provide appropriate PPE to their employees. The first is to avoid accidents and injuries that may occur depending on the sector of activity. Also, personal protective equipment protects workers from health risks on the construction site. Even after checking and securing working systems, risks can arise. These can be damage to the lungs, skin, whole body or eyes.

What are the main means of protection?

Several means or devices are possible for the protection of workers:

• masks
• gloves
• eye protection or visors
• safety helmets
• the protective clothing
• the hearing protectors
• the safety harness

The different categories of PPE

There are currently three categories of protective equipment:

• Category 1 PPE: this equipment protects the user against any minor risk that does not affect important parts of the body. For example, you will find the protective gloves, the earplugs ideal to protect your hands from chemicals and dangerous products.
• Category 2 PPE: they protect users against major risks. This equipment aims to protect vital parts of the body in particular while avoiding irreversible damage. Equipment in this category includes hard hats, work shoes, goggles and masks.
• Personal Protective Equipment or Category 3 PPE is used to protect the user from the high risks that can occur in deadly or high-risk sectors of activity. These PPE include breathing apparatus and life jackets.

How to choose suitable basic PPE

The choice of PPE or personal protective equipment depends on the specific field. However, it is not necessary to invest in all protective equipment. To find the PPE that meets your needs in terms of safety and health, take into account the conditions of use and the working conditions of the employees, the real risks and the types of work to be carried out. Some employers call on medical personnel to determine their protection needs. To select the most suitable models, consider:

• ease of use
• the nature of the risk
• the desired degree of protection
• the work situation
• employee comfort
• the quality of PPE

Regulations on the wearing of company PPE

The rules for the use and use of personal protective equipment are governed by the Labor Code. The basic rule requires all employers to provide protective measures to minimize constraints for employees. If PPE is mandatory in a company, it must be regulated.

Who should assess the risks for wearing personal protective equipment?

First of all, the employer must assess the risks related to the safety and health of workers. He ensures that each company staff has appropriate PPE for the risks involved in their areas. Without question, this protective equipment is individual and free. In addition, the business manager must choose and ensure the compliance of the PPE according to the certifications and the rules imposed. A CE mark and expiry date must be displayed on all protective tools. It must be indelible, distinct and legible on each PPE. It should be noted that personal protective equipment may comply with other standards. It is the responsibility of the employer to set the conditions for the maintenance, use and storage of these devices.

How to make employees aware of the wearing of personal protective equipment?

Besides the employer, workers also have their share of responsibility to prevent unnecessary risks. Admittedly, wearing personal protective equipment is uncomfortable, even restrictive, but they allow you to work in complete peace of mind. Effective ways to educate employees are to inform them, train them and demand internal regulations. The installation of information signs is strongly recommended on the construction site. Employers can communicate and educate their employees by explaining the importance of PPE. He can set up training for users concerning the obligation to wear PPE. Of course, their use depends on the level of risk associated with the activity.