This personal protective equipment procedure:
Personal protection equipment (PPE) typically includes any clothing, equipment and substance designed to be worn by a person to protect the person from risks of injury or illness.
This clothing and equipment may include protective helmets, gloves, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, safety boots, respiratory protection, thermal wear, eye protection, sunscreen, safety belts and harnesses, etc.
A personal protection equipment procedure is a document that outlines the selection, supply and use of PPE in a working environment.
A PPE procedure provides guidelines and instructions on the type of clothing and equipment worn by the workers to protect them from hazards in the workplace.
Note: When risk assessments are undertaken always aim for a higher level of control measure than PPE, as PPE is the lowest control on the hierarchy of risk management.
When selecting PPE, all the specific hazards encountered in the workplace and work practice must be considered; comfort should also be factored into the selection process.
All PPE supplied for use at a workplace must comply with the applicable standards and regulatory obligations. If there is ever any uncertainty with PPE standards, confirmation must be sought from the supplier or other competent people.
PPE should not restrict movement, vision or interfere with the function of any other PPE that is required to be worn.
Wherever possible, workers who are required to wear PPE should be consulted on the selection process and where appropriate, pilot trials should be established to optimize the selection process, so the PPE fits comfortably.
The requirement for PPE should be determined through the risk management hierarchy of control process.
