Presentation on Personal Protective Equipments

GeneralAccidents at the workplace may result in varying degrees of harm to people. Some of these injuries may be minor, others may be serious enough to cause handicaps or disability to the working persons. Besides affecting employee productivity and morale, such incidents may result in considerable pain and suffering to the victim and members of their family.

IntroductionThe cardinal principle in controlling an unsafe condition is to remove the hazard. This could be achieved through better design, change of process or guarding by mechanical means.Where engineering controls are not feasible then use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is compulsory to minimize the hazards.

IntroductionThe use of personal protective equipment can, in such situations, do one or more of the following:-Reduce risk of dangerous occurrences (e.g. safety belts).-Provide a physical barrier between the user and the hazard (e.g. apron, face shield).-Render a hostile environment friendly albeit for limited period of time (e.g. breathing apparatus).

Ground RulesPPE is a second line of defense for employees protection. The first line of defense is to eliminate the hazard by substitution or by effective engineering measures from the system and work place.-Reduce risk of dangerous occurrences (e.g. safety belts).PPE does not, and can not, eliminate hazards from the work place/system but act as a barrier in between the hazards and the wearer.

Ground RulesPPE should be preferred only in the case when the elimination of hazard from the system or work place and environment is impossible or impracticable. PPE selected for use must be suitable and effective to protect the wearer from the hazards present with the system and or at work place and environment.PPE should confirm the applicable national standards or codes of practice and good engineering practices as well as workmanship.

Principle Requirement of PPEsTo safe guard the wearer from the identified hazards to which he may be exposed in case of non use of PPE.To afford reasonable comfort.To permit essential movement of limbs required for efficient job performance.To be amenable to easy cleaning and maintenance.

Selection & Use of PPEsIdentify the hazards against which particular PPE/appliances is required to be used. Standardize the occupational safety & health requirements for various hazards in the work area and suitable protective wears/appliances required for the same to be planned in advance. Selection and procurement of different types of appliances/equipments as per requirement and their checking/inspection before issue for use to ensure complete protection of the wearers.

Selection & Use of PPEsProper storage and maintenance of personal protective appliances/equipments kept in store.

Need base training and motivation of the employees for best and effective use of personal protective appliances/equipments to avail maximum benefits of the appliances / equipments.

Types of Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal protective appliances/equipments can be divided mainly in two categories.

A) Non Respiratory

B) Respiratory

Head ProtectionHead houses the command centre of our central nervous system that controls all the movements, senses & basic body functions. An injury to the head can pose a serious threat to the brain.Head injuries at work in industry may result from-Falling objects-Persons hitting their heads on fixed objects-Fall of persons-Contact of head with bare live electrical -Splashes of hot, cryogenic or corrosive liquids-Flying hard particles

HelmetIn order to reduce the destructive effects of shocks to the head, a safety helmet should:-Limit the pressure imposed on the skull by spreading the load over the maximum possible surface. The shell must resist deformation & perforation.-Deflect falling objects by having a suitably smooth and rounded shape.-Dissipate and disperse energy that may be transmitted to it in such a way that the energy passed on to the head and neck are largely reduced.

Selection of HelmetWhile selecting a helmet, its characteristics, the hazards against which protection is required and the conditions under which the helmet will be used, need to be considered. As it is not practical for users to carry out performance tests for selecting a helmet, only those conforming to relevant standards such as IS:2925 or ISO International Standard No.3873 or an equivalent, duly certified-ed by DGMS, should be used.

Selection of Helmet

Selection of Helmet

How Hard Hats Protect YouA rigid shell that resists and deflects blows tothe head; Suspension system inside acts asa shock absorberSome hats serve as an insulator againstelectrical shocksShields your scalp, face, neck, and shouldersagainst splashes, spills, and drips Some can be modified so you can add face shields, goggles, hoods or hearing protection

Maintenance of HelmetHelmets shall be inspected prior to use. Helmets with cracks shall not be used.Do not keep helmets in sun for prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays of sunlight to avoid shortening of life.Helmets shall not be kept or carried in the shelf near the rear wind shield of vehicle because of exposure to sunlight and in case of accident, may not act as a hazardous missile.Condition of suspension is most important in absorbing shock of blow. These must be kept in good condition.Once damaged, helmet is to be discarded.

Eye & Face ProtectionEye and face protectors shall be used when there is a likelihood of injury to the face or eyes. This includes work where machinery or operations present the hazard of flying objects, glare, splashing liquids, injurious radiation or a combination of these hazards.

Eye & Face ProtectionProtectors shall meet the following minimum requirements :Provide adequate protection against the particular hazards for which they are designed.Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designed conditions.Fit snugly and shall not unduly interfere with the movement of the wearer.Be durable.Be capable of being disinfected.Be kept clean and in good condition.

Eye & Face ProtectionDifferent types of eye and face protection equipment should be selected keeping in view the hazards they can protect against. Examples of Eye & Face ProtectorsGogglesFace Shield

Eye & Face Protection

Eyes: Goggles and GlassesGogglesChemical SplashImpactSafety glasses

Eye & Face ProtectionWhen not in use, protective equipment should be properly stored at some central place. Goggles are likely to get damaged if carried loose in the pocket or with tools. After the use of protective equipment, it should be cleaned and disinfected before being issued to another person. Equipment used continuously by one person should be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals. Protective equipment should be checked daily for tightness of screws or securing bolts, stitching, elasticity of head bands and proper placement of lenses in the various frames or holders.

Ear ProtectionWearing proper hearing protection reduces the dose of sound level. The selection of the appropriate equipment depends on several factors such as comfort for the user, cost, noise data available for the area of interest & frequency of noise.

There are two general types of hearing protective devices available, namely ear plugs and ear muffs.

Ear PlugsEar plugs shall be made up of pliable rubber, soft or medium plastic, polyure-thane foam (PUF) and impregnated cotton.They shall be easily removable/insertion type and should be without sharp edges that may cause injuries to the ear drum or other parts.All the materials used which come in contact with the users skin shall be of a kind which is known not to cause skin irritation.Properly fitted and used ear plugs should reduce noise reaching the ear by 30 dBA in the higher (and more harmful) frequencies. They shall give ample protection against sound levels up to 120 dBA.

Ear MuffsEar muffs should be designed in such a way that it reduces the noise reaching the ear by 45 dBA in the higher (and more harmful) frequencies. It shall give ample protection against sound level upto 135 dBA.The muffs shall be made in a universal type or a head, neck or chin type.All the materials used which come in contact with the users skin shall be of a kind which is known not to cause skin irritation.

Ear Muffs

Hand ProtectionHand and Arm protective equipment is intended to protect hands/arms where there is likelihood of injury as in the case of handling chemicals, solvents and jobs involving heat, radiation, electricity and abrasive materials.

Hand Protection

Hand ProtectionExamples of some hand gloves, which are being used in normal working.Cotton hand glovesAsbestos hand glovesPVC hand glovesCrome leather hand glovesElectrical hand glovesLead plastic gauntlets Lead leather gauntlets

Body ProtectionAprons may be classified based on coverage they provide and the material of construction.

Based on coverage(i) Bib Type: Covering chest, waist and legs down to the knees or sometimes to ankles.(ii) Waist Type: Covering waist & legs down to the knees or below.

Body ProtectionPVC ApronIt shall be used in handling acid and alkali. Chemical protection clothing can be manufactured from a special grade heavy duty high visibility yellow PVC. The material shall have excellent chemical resi-stance, high tensile, tear & elongation strength, abrasion, ozone as well as heat resistance.

Body ProtectionChrome Leather Aprons : It shall be used where there are chances of hot metal splash & sparks, flying chips, rough objects and mild impacts.

Chrome leather shall conform to the following requirements :The leather shall not contain any chromate extractable by water or dilute acids.The leather should also be treated for mildew resistance.It shall be treated in such a manner as shall not obscure defects and such that it is not to be stained with compounds of iron.

Body ProtectionSuits : Following types of suits are commonly used:-Boiler Suits-Fire Fighting Suits -Chemical Protection Suits

Care & MaintenancePVC-Consult the manufacturer on the care & cleaning precautions necessary for these special garments & follow their recommendations.-Protect these garments from excessive heat and mechanical damage.-When harmful material gets on to the garments, wash it off carefully.-Use warm soapy water for cleaning.-Never use compounds that may affect the impregnated or coated material.-Clean the garment thoroughly before storing and avoid unnecessary folding or creasing in storage.

Hand ProtectionHand and Arm protective equipment is intended to protect hands/arms where there is likelihood of injury as in the case of handling chemicals, solvents and jobs involving heat, radiation, electricity and abrasive materials.

Foot & Leg ProtectionIn an industrial scenario, the legs are prone to either direct hazard which has the potential to cause direct injury like mechanical hazards (e.g. falling objects), chemical hazards (e.g. contact with acid/alkali), heat hazard (e.g. exposure to hot surfaces) and fungal infection or indirect hazard like slipping (wet/ slippery surface), electrical hazard (electro-cution) and sanitation hazards (infection from in sanitary conditions). These hazards can be eliminated or at least minimized by the use of suitable protective equipment.

Foot & Leg ProtectionHazards against which Protective Equipment need to be used for leg and foot protection, are.

Respiratory EquipmentsDust MaskCanister type gas mask (for organic, acid fumes, ammonia & chlorine etc.) Self contained breathing apparatus.Hand operated blower hose mask.On line air hose mask / trolley mounted.Resuscitator both hand operated (bellow type) and with pressurized medical oxygen cylinder.

Dust MasksOnly suitable for non-hazardous, non-respirable nuisance dusts.

If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.

Canister MasksGas mask gives some emergency protection in the acid gas, organic vapours and other poisonous gaseous atmosphere.

But it does not provide protection against organic vapours, acid fumes, fog, rust etc. For chlorine, ammonia & carbon monoxide separate gas mask canisters are available.

Gas mask with chemical cartridge for organic vapours are also available. Covering mouth & noise portion which is lighter and easy to wear.

Limitation Canister MasksIt shall not be used where oxygen content in the atmosphere is less than 18% by volume in the air.

The gas mask should not be used where gases are available more than 2% by volume.

Operation & Use of Canister MasksCheck for proper type of canister to be used.Remote the seal from the bottom of the canister and put on the head piece.Adjust the head strip until the mask fits closely and comfortably to avoid leaking. After useEnter in the card the duration of use of canister gas mask.CautionNever use a canister whose self life (mentioned on the shell) has been expired.

Self contained BA setsB. A. Set is a complete independent breathing apparatus which provides oxygen. It can be used for a duration of 45 mint. At 150 / 200 bar pressure.

It can be used in any gaseous atmosphere containing carbon monoxide, n2, ethylene, propylene, lpg, hexane, cy. Hexane etc. Where normal breathing is restricted.

Limitation of Self contained BA setsThis equipment can not be used in open fires and under water.

At the full pressure, it can last for 45 minutes only but the service life may vary or may change on wearers breathing condition and the nature of job.

Preparation before use of SCBABefore use check the following for order-

Pressure gauge for full air in the cylinder.The high pressure tube it is securely attached to the regulator and cylinder valve. Check audio alarm device before going to hazardous area.

Preparation before use of SCBABefore use check the following for order-

Pressure gauge for full air in the cylinder.The high pressure tube it is securely attached to the regulator and cylinder valve. Check audio alarm device before going to hazardous area.

Operation & Use of SCBA

Wear the complete apparatus so as the cylinder should be on the back and cylinder valve should be in downward position.

Open the cylinder valve fully.

3.Wear the mask and pull the straps, so mask should be tight fit on the face.

Warning- SCBA

To warn the user about the scarcity of air in the cylinder, an audio alarm is given. Leave the hazardous area immediately after the alarm.Never remove the face piece except in a safe and non-hazardous and non-toxic atmosphere.Cylinder is pressurized in case of fall the cylinder may damage and it may create a hazard.

Hand Operated Blower Face Mask

These masks are designing to provide fresh air to the wearer from outside the gaseous area. This can be safely used when it is possible to keep the air intake end of the extension hose in fresh air (hose 30 feet length).

LimitationThere should not be any attachments of the hose which restricts the movements of persons.

Points to be remember

Blower should be kept with open atmosphere where contamination of any dangerous vapours are not present. Blower must be operated continuously during the use of the mask and man who operates should not leave the place. Life line should provided.The face piece should properly adjusted and tested before using it.The use of this equipment's apparatus is restricted in length.The proper functioning of the blower to discharge the air is to be ensured.Safety harness & belt should be properly fastened to provide comfortable move of personnel.