Why Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the Most Important Lifesaver in the Industry?

Most of the industrial hazards happen due to lack of awareness, minor mistakes and unsafe practices. All are aware about Safety but unfortunately many resorts to short cuts to minimize efforts and finally ending up in unwarranted incidents or accidents.

Of all the safety rules and practices, the most flouted ones are wearing the PPEs or Personal Protective Equipment be it a helmet or a seat belt while driving or a shoe in the manufacturing shed and so on… The list is endless. What could be the reasons for such safety violations?   People are not used to PPEs. They are heavy and sometimes sweat laden. They feel that PPEs are uncomfortable to wear and   possibly restrict movements while at work.

But the truth is that they help in avoiding injury and in some cases save lives too!  

PPEs are specifically designed for the job to cover the usually exposed vital parts of our body thus effectively curbing the chance for a fatal injury. The following four rules form the pillar when selecting your PPE and using them.

1. Selection of PPE: This is an important factor. You select the PPE based on the job and what all vital parts can be potentially affected. For example, if you’re doing a job where you have to cut plywood or any wood materials, the must have PPEs are goggles, mask, gloves, safety shoes and helmet. Each one is designed with a specific role. Goggles will protect the eye from the small particles while the mask protects you from inhaling dust. Gloves will help you guard your hand while the helmet helps in guarding your head.
2. Fitting: PPEs need to be fit correctly. If it’s too tight, it will be a hindrance to the job and if it’s loose then there is a risk of PPE falling in the time of need. There are actually tests in place to make sure whether any PPE fits correctly. For example, respiratory PPEs have tests like smoke tests to determine the fitting.
3. Training: Training is also an integral part of PPE. Workers should be made aware of what’s a PPE, how to wear it, which all PPEs are required etc. The training has to be hands on and must be conducted by a subject matter expert to have a better understanding. For example if a person wears a helmet without strapping it , then the main purpose is defeated as during a fall /accident  , the helmet may come out !
4. Maintenance: Last but not the least; maintenance is an important aspect of having a healthy and functional PPE. PPEs are also equipment that can be damaged or worn out over use. Helmets with scratches, masks with holes are all PPEs in need of maintenance or replacement. Hence, periodic maintenance is required for PPE as well.

These four rules will help you enhancing the safety of your employees and will ensure that PPE  becomes a habit in the workplace. We believe that no activity or service is so important that safety can be compromised and we always make sure to impart the same culture to all our stakeholders.  To know more about our safety regulations in industrial operational areas, visit https://www.supergas.com/safety/safety-tips-for-industrial or do call us at 9121177930. Our experts  would assist you about your safety concerns and issues .