Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Safety advisors and directors state that one of their greatest difficulties is to convince the workers to make use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while working. However, the management must strictly pursue with them till they imbibe the habit of using personal protective equipment as a routine. This will not only provide personal protection to them but will also be in the interest of the organization. There must not be any relaxation of this rule. A list of PPE for any explosive or chemical laboratory or factory is as follows  

1) Protective Garments While working with explosives and toxic materials, workers must wear approved coveralls or laboratory coats (preferably full length) to prevent contamination of their personal apparel. The use of flame-retardant coveralls is desirable for some explosive operations where there is a possibility of a flash. Cotton or other anti-static material should be worn wherever there is a possibility of generation of static electricity. 

2) Gloves Contact of skin with some explosives or toxic chemicals may result in dermatitis and therefore there is a need to use proper type of gloves. 

3) Respirator The use of approved respirators is recommended during explosive operations where airborne particulates, gases and vapors etc are liberated. 

4) Safety Goggles or Glasses The use of shatterproof safety goggles or spectacles is recommended in order to protect the eyes while working with explosives. Contact lenses are not considered suitable for eye protection. 

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Provision of adequate information, instruction and training control against exposures by measures other than the use of personal protective equipment provision of adequate washing facilities prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking m contaminated areas and health surveillance are covered. 

Cover all aspects of the provision, maintenance and use of personal protective equipment at work and m other circumstances. 

Ensure that the contractor/subcontractor can implement a comprehensive health and safety program in compliance with applicable regulations, including accident prevention programs, medical surveillance, training, work practice controls, use of personal protective equipment, and so on. 

Do employees appear to have been trained in the use of personal protective equipment [OSHA Reference, 120(e)(2)(iii)]... 

In choosing method(s) to control exposure, COSHH limits the use of personal protective equipment (e.g. respirators, dust masks, protective clothing) as the means of protection to those situations only where other measures cannot adequately control exposure. 

Heterogeneous catalysts are often located at the top of a reactor and manipulated with temporary handling equipment. To avoid exposure to toxic dust, local ventilation should be installed if this is impracticable, scrupulous use of personal protective equipment and rigid compliance with systems-of-work are essential. Respiratory equipment may include self-contained or line-fed breathing apparatus. 

Exposure to Eire Hazards The use of personal protective equipment to prevent personnel exposure to hazards resulting from fires, such as toxic smoke. 

Team members should set a rigorous standard for consistent and proper use of personal protective equipment. They should approach each task with a questioning, skeptical attitude to help prevent additional injuries and minimize unnecessary hazard exposure. 

Hexachloroethane exposure can be determined from blood plasma. In one group of workers, plasma levels increased nearly 100-fold despite the use of personal protective equipment. ... 

The use of personal protective equipment is considered an important element of safety management. The top management and supervisors at the workplace should make it a habit to preach on this aspect periodically without fail, till it becomes a habit of the workers. 

In a nutshell, continued vigilance by the workers coupled with the use of personal protective equipment and unrelenting surveillance by the management remain the best remedy for prevention of accidents, be it explosions or fires. Further, we must learn a lesson from each accident but unfortunately this does not really happen [35]. The findings of the enquiries and investigations conducted do not yield meaningful results. The main reasons being ... 

Engineering controls must be the first line of safety when using any diisocyanate, followed by the strict use of personal protective equipment (PPE). There also have to be strict engineering protocols so that cross-connection between sources of polyols and diisocyanates cannot be made. Personal and atmospheric monitoring must be carried out. It is important that the operators in this area be under medical screening. 

Partial, but inadequate or ineffective provision, distribution and use of personal protective equipment... 

During socio-economic analysis of the restriction, companies would be able to provide evidence of use of personal protective equipment (PPE), existing licensing or training schemes, or... 

There are several ways to use chemicals wisely. One can reduce both the probability and consequences of accidents to negligible levels. Use of chemical substances is always associated with risks. However, these risks can be minimized with knowledge, proper use, and good practices. In other words, safety from chemical substances depends on knowledge, judicious use, safe practices, appropriate methods of engineering controls, proper use of personal protective equipment, use of minimum quantities of materials, and substitution of a less hazardous chemical substance when possible. 

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