PPE

Definition of Personal Protective Equipment: What is the function of PPE?

Personal protective equipment: for worker safety

In carrying out their activities, workers must benefit from good protection against certain risks that can create health problems for them (ear plugs, skin problems, etc.) or reduce their productivity. Personal Protective Equipment or PPE for short gives them that protection so they can do their job with the best safety possible. It should be noted that PPE is not, however, the only means of protecting employees in the context of their work.

Article R.233-83-3 of the Labor Code recalls the risks that can threaten the safety of an individual or the health of the latter when 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, this term is defined as a means or device that will be held or worn by the person in order to protect him 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.

What are the current standards and for which roles?

Helmets:

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

• EN 166 (3B) EN 1731 (F)
• EN 397 (-30°C/+50°C, LD)
• ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 TYPE I (Class G)

Gloves:

Gloves are part of PPE and can limit health problems, for example due to skin exposure, especially when handling chemical agents.

Respiratory masks:

The different categories of PPE: What is PPE?

Depending on the seriousness of the risks faced by workers, there are three main categories of personal protective equipment. Thus, category I lists 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, we find the safety harness.

The various types of personal protective equipment: What are the uses 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 construction helmets 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 various hand protection equipment, foot protection and body. Finally, we must not forget the specific protections and the various devices against falls from height.

Wearing PPE: what professional PPE is required?

However, it is important to emphasize that there is no regulatory text or article of the Labor Code that requires the employee to wear personal protective equipment if there is no identified danger at his place. of work. Moreover, the obligation to wear PPE is not always systematic. This depends in particular on the legislation of the country in question. The employer can impose personal protective equipment on his employees.

Personal protective equipment: a trend towards modernity

Today, it is relatively easy to find the personal protective equipment that perfectly meets the needs of workers in terms of protection. The big brands are constantly innovating, while other brands are also entering the market. Protective knee pads, safety cap, work cap, chef's hat, chef's neck warmer or safety boots, among others, are always in demand. However, manufacturers continue to produce articles intended to protect work accessories, while surfing on current fashion. Thus, it is more and more common to discover an iPad case, a protective tablet cover, a sports bag or trolley, an insulated bag, a computer backpack or even a case for glasses in the sections presenting the various personal protective equipment. The same is true for the duffel bag, the briefcase, the identity card holder, the phone or smartphone pouch, the absorbent bags or sausages, the foldable cutter or the harness. The design is always highly sought after and follows the latest trends.