PPE has been in the news a lot over the last year, but it is not just in healthcare that this equipment is required and it is actually very common in many different industries. PPE can save lives and help people to carry out various tasks safely, so read on to learn more about its uses and the industries in which it is used the most.
What is PPE?
So, what exactly is PPE? Personal protective equipment is any type of device which can be worn or used to protect a person against one or more risks likely to threaten his/her health and/or safety. A few of the main risks that PPE can offer protection against include:
- Skin exposure to dangerous chemical or biological agents
- Respiratory exposure to chemical or biological agents
- Heat
- Radiation
- Noise
- Electrocution
- Shock
- Crushing
- Falls from height/falling debris
Different Types
As PPE can offer such varied protection, it also means that there are many different types that can be used. This means that employers need to carry out risk assessments in order to determine what the health and safety risks are and then make sure that adequate and sufficient PPE is provided. A few of the more common types of PPE include:
- Helmets
- Goggles
- Protective suits
- Gloves
- Footwear
- Ear plugs/defenders
Work Requiring PPE
So, what kind of work requires the use of PPE? People tend to think of industrial workwear when it comes to PPE and it is certainly used heavily in manual labour jobs, but it is also vital for those that handle dangerous chemicals and in many different industries. The type of PPE that is required might vary between industries, but it all does the same job which is protecting the user and mitigating the risk of the health and/or safety hazard. A few of the more common industries where PPE is used include:
- Construction and public works
- Handling
- Gardening
- Electricity
- Healthcare
- Chemistry
- Metallurgy
- Automotive
- Waste management
Using PPE Properly
PPE is incredibly important and can prevent minor and major injuries and even death. Having the equipment alone is not enough, though, especially when it is often reported that staff do not wear PPE properly or even at all when they should. This is why education is so important and employers need to take action to ensure that their employees not only have access to high-quality PPE but wear it when they need to.
PPE is used in many different industries and by many different types of workers, but it is always used for the same purpose and that is to provide protection against health and safety risks. There are many different types of PPE that can be used, so employers need to make sure that they have the right PPE available and that staff are wearing it when they should be.
