Personal protective equipment
Occupational hazards |
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Hierarchy of hazard controls |
Occupational hygiene |
Study |
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective
The purpose of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering controls and administrative controls are not feasible or effective to reduce these risks to acceptable levels. PPE is needed when there are hazards present. PPE has the serious limitation that it does not eliminate the hazard at the source and may result in employees being exposed to the hazard if the equipment fails.[1]
Any item of PPE imposes a barrier between the wearer/user and the working environment. This can create additional strains on the wearer, impair their ability to carry out their work and create significant levels of discomfort. Any of these can discourage wearers from using PPE correctly, therefore placing them at risk of injury, ill-health or, under extreme circumstances, death. Good ergonomic design can help to minimise these barriers and can therefore help to ensure safe and healthy working conditions through the correct use of PPE.
Practices of occupational safety and health can use hazard controls and interventions to mitigate workplace hazards, which pose a threat to the safety and quality of life of workers. The hierarchy of hazard controls provides a policy framework which ranks the types of hazard controls in terms of absolute risk reduction. At the top of the hierarchy are elimination and substitution, which remove the hazard entirely or replace the hazard with a safer alternative. If elimination or substitution measures cannot be applied, engineering controls and administrative controls – which seek to design safer mechanisms and coach safer human behavior – are implemented. Personal protective equipment ranks last on the hierarchy of controls, as the workers are regularly exposed to the hazard, with a barrier of protection. The hierarchy of controls is important in acknowledging that, while personal protective equipment has tremendous utility, it is not the desired mechanism of control in terms of worker safety.
History
Early PPE such as
Types
Personal protective equipment can be categorized by the area of the body protected, by the type of hazard, and by the type of garment or accessory. A single item – for example, boots – may provide multiple forms of protection: a steel toe cap and steel insoles for protection of the feet from crushing or puncture injuries, impervious rubber and lining for protection from water and chemicals, high reflectivity and heat resistance for protection from radiant heat, and high electrical resistivity for protection from electric shock. The protective attributes of each piece of equipment must be compared with the hazards expected to be found in the workplace. More breathable types of personal protective equipment may not lead to more contamination but do result in greater user satisfaction.[4]
Respirators
Respirators are protective breathing equipment, which protect the user from inhaling contaminants in the air, thus preserving the health of their respiratory tract. There are two main types of respirators. One type of respirator functions by filtering out chemicals and gases, or airborne particles, from the air breathed by the user.
In the United Kingdom, an organization that has extensive expertise in respiratory protective equipment is the Institute of Occupational Medicine. This expertise has been built on a long-standing and varied research programme that has included the setting of workplace protection factors to the assessment of efficacy of masks available through high street retail outlets.[citation needed]
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), NHS Health Scotland and Healthy Working Lives (HWL) have jointly developed the RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) Selector Tool, which is web-based. This interactive tool provides descriptions of different types of respirators and breathing apparatuses, as well as "dos and don'ts" for each type.[7]
In the United States, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides recommendations on respirator use, in accordance to NIOSH federal respiratory regulations 42 CFR Part 84.[5] The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) of NIOSH is tasked towards actively conducting studies on respirators and providing recommendations.[8]
Skin protection
Occupational skin diseases such as contact dermatitis, skin cancers, and other skin injuries and infections are the second-most common type of occupational disease and can be very costly.[10] Skin hazards, which lead to occupational skin disease, can be classified into four groups. Chemical agents can come into contact with the skin through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, deposition of aerosols, immersion or splashes.[10] Physical agents such as extreme temperatures and ultraviolet or solar radiation can be damaging to the skin over prolonged exposure.[10] Mechanical trauma occurs in the form of friction, pressure, abrasions, lacerations and contusions.[10] Biological agents such as parasites, microorganisms, plants and animals can have varied effects when exposed to the skin.[10]
Any form of PPE that acts as a barrier between the skin and the agent of exposure can be considered skin protection. Because much work is done with the hands,
Other than gloves, any other article of clothing or protection worn for a purpose serve to protect the skin. Lab coats for example, are worn to protect against potential splashes of chemicals. Face shields serve to protect one's face from potential impact hazards, chemical splashes or possible infectious fluid.
Many
Eye protection
Each day, about 2,000 US workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical attention.[12] Eye injuries can happen through a variety of means. Most eye injuries occur when solid particles such as metal slivers, wood chips, sand or cement chips get into the eye.[12] Smaller particles in smokes and larger particles such as broken glass also account for particulate matter-causing eye injuries. Blunt force trauma can occur to the eye when excessive force comes into contact with the eye. Chemical burns, biological agents, and thermal agents, from sources such as welding torches and UV light, also contribute to occupational eye injury.[13]
While the required eye protection varies by occupation, the safety provided can be generalized. Safety glasses provide protection from external debris, and should provide side protection via a wrap-around design or side shields.[13]
- Goggles provide better protection than safety glasses, and are effective in preventing eye injury from chemical splashes, impact, dusty environments and welding.[13] Goggles with high air flow should be used to prevent fogging.[13]
- Face shields provide additional protection and are worn over the standard eyewear; they also provide protection from impact, chemical, and blood-borne hazards.[13]
- Full-facepiece respirators are considered the best form of eye protection when respiratory protection is needed as well, but may be less effective against potential impact hazards to the eye.[13]
- Eye protection for welding is shaded to different degrees, depending on the specific operation.[13]
Hearing protection
PPE for hearing protection consists of
Protective clothing and ensembles
This form of PPE is all-encompassing and refers to the various suits and uniforms worn to protect the user from harm. Lab coats worn by scientists and
Ensembles
Below are some examples of ensembles of personal protective equipment, worn together for a specific occupation or task, to provide maximum protection for the user:
- nurses.
- Chainsaw protection (especially a helmet with face guard, hearing protection, kevlar chaps, anti-vibration gloves, and chainsaw safety boots).
- beesfrom crawling up one's trouser legs. In extreme cases, specially fabricated shirts and trousers can serve as barriers to the bees' stingers.
- Diving equipment, for underwater diving, constitutes equipment such as a diving helmet or diving mask, an underwater breathing apparatus, and a diving suit.
- Firefighters wear PPE designed to provide protection against fires and various fumes and gases. PPE[18] worn by firefighters include bunker gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, a helmet, safety boots, and a PASS device.
In sports
Participants in sports often wear protective equipment. Studies performed on the injuries of professional athletes, such as that on NFL players,[19][20] question the effectiveness of existing personal protective equipment.
Limits of the definition
The definition of what constitutes personal protective equipment varies by country. In the United States, the laws regarding PPE also vary by state. In 2011, workplace safety complaints were brought against
Standardization
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Legislation
United States
The National Defense Authorization Act for 2022 defines personal protective equipment as
Equipment for use in preventing spread of disease, such as by exposure to infected individuals or contamination or infection by infectious material (including nitrile and vinyl gloves, surgical masks, respirator masks and powered air purifying respirators and required filters, face shields and protective eyewear, surgical and isolation gowns, and head and foot coverings) or clothing, and the materials and components thereof, other than sensors, electronics, or other items added to and not normally associated with such personal protective equipment or clothing.[22]
Under this Act, US military services are prohibited from purchasing PPE from suppliers in North Korea, China, Russia or Iran, unless there are problems with the supply or cost of PPE of "satisfactory quality and quantity".[22]
European Union
At the
Article 1 of Directive 89/686/EEC defines personal protective equipment as any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards. PPE which falls under the scope of the Directive is divided into three categories:
- Category I: simple design (e.g. gardening gloves, footwear, ski goggles)
- Category II: PPE not falling into category I or III (e.g. personal flotation devices, dry and wet suits, motorcycle personal protective equipment)
- Category III: complex design (e.g. respiratory equipment, harnesses)
Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment does not distinguish between PPE for professional use and PPE for leisure purposes.
Personal protective equipment falling within the scope of the Directive must comply with the basic health and safety requirements set out in Annex II of the Directive. To facilitate conformity with these requirements, harmonized standards are developed at the European or international level by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN, CENELEC) and the International Organization for Standardization in relation to the design and manufacture of the product. Usage of the harmonized standards is voluntary and provides presumption of conformity. However, manufacturers may choose an alternative method of complying with the requirements of the Directive.
Personal protective equipment excluded from the scope of the Directive includes:
- PPE designed for and used by the armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order;
- PPE for self-defence (e.g. aerosol canisters, personal deterrent weapons);
- PPE designed and manufactured for personal use against adverse atmospheric conditions (e.g. seasonal clothing, umbrellas), damp and water (e.g. dish-washing gloves) and heat;
- PPE used on vessels and aircraft but not worn at all times;
- helmets and visors intended for users of two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles.
The European Commission is currently working to revise Directive 89/686/EEC. The revision will look at the scope of the Directive, the conformity assessment procedures and technical requirements regarding market surveillance. It will also align the Directive with the New Legislative Framework. The European Commission is likely to publish its proposal in 2013. It will then be discussed by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union under the ordinary legislative procedure before being published in the Official Journal of the European Union and becoming law.
Research
Research studies in the form of randomized controlled trials and simulation studies are needed to determine the most effective types of PPE for preventing the transmission of infectious diseases to healthcare workers.[4]
There is low certainty evidence that supports making improvements or modifications to PPE in order to help decrease contamination.[4] Examples of modifications include adding tabs to masks or gloves to ease removal and designing protective gowns so that gloves are removed at the same time.[4] In addition, there is low certainty evidence that the following PPE approaches or techniques may lead to reduced contamination and improved compliance with PPE protocols: Wearing double gloves, following specific doffing (removal) procedures such as those from the CDC, and providing people with spoken instructions while removing PPE.[4]
See also
- Biological hazard – Biological material that poses serious risks to the health of living organisms
- Blunt trauma personal protective equipment – gear that protects the wearer against injuries caused by blunt impacts
- Bomb disposal – Activity to dispose of and render safe explosive munitions and other materials
- CBRN defense – Protective measures against hazardous materials warfare (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear, known formerly as NBC)
- Chainsaw safety clothing – Personal protective equipment for operators of chainsaws
- Chemical protective clothing – clothing used to protect against chemical hazards
- Environmental suit – Clothing worn to protect a person in a hostile environment
- Fall arrest – Equipment which safely stops a person already falling
- Hard hat – Protective headwear
- Hazmat – Solids, liquids, or gases harmful to people, other organisms, property or the environment (hazardous materials)
- High-visibility clothing – Safety clothing
- Motorcycle personal protective equipment – Protective clothing and helmets for motorcycle safety
- NBC suit – Type of military personal protective equipment
- Personal flotation device – Equipment to help the wearer keep afloat in water
- Personal protective equipment for arc flash – Heat and light produced during an electrical arc fault
- PPE Portrait project – Way to humanize medical staff wearing PPE
- Safe handling of hazardous drugs – pharmaceutical drug that causes harm to handlers
- Safety harness – Equipment designed to protect from falling
- Usage of personal protective equipment
- Workplace hazard controls for COVID-19 – Prevention measures for COVID-19
- Normalization of deviance – one reason people stop using effective prevention measures
References
- ^ "Personal Protective Equipment". Citation PLC. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2012-10-31. Personal Protective Equipment
- ISBN 978-1-56325-283-9.
- PMID 30427733.
- ^ PMID 32412096.
- ^ a b c d Respirators Archived 2012-08-30 at the Wayback Machine. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^ United States Food and Drug Administration. 5 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Selecting the right Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) for the job" Archived 2012-11-08 at the Wayback Machine. Healthy Working Lives. 2008-4-4
- ^ CDC - NIOSH - Respirator Fact Sheet Archived 2017-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory.
- ^ "Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Infectious Agents for Health Care Workers: Do surgical masks protect workers?" (OSH Answers Fact Sheets). Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
- ^ a b c d e CDC - Skin Exposures and Effects - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic Archived 2012-08-06 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- PMID 30317928.
- ^ a b CDC - Eye Safety - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic Archived 2017-07-07 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^ a b c d e f g CDC - Eye Safety - Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery Archived 2017-09-02 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^ a b c CDC - Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention - Facts and Statistics - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic Archived 2016-07-03 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occuaptional Safety and Health.
- ^ Occupational noise exposure - 1910.95 Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
- ^ Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-126.
- PMID 28685503.
- ^ "Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) On Sale". PPEIN.
- ^ CDC - NIOSH Science Blog - Brain Injury in the NFL Archived 2012-12-20 at Wikiwix. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- PMID 22955124.
- ^ a b "Larry Flynt's Hustler Video Cited by Cal/OSHA over Condoms, Safety, Says AHF". businesswire.com. 2011-03-31. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ a b US Government, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, Section 802, enacted 15 March 2022, accessed 2 January 2023
- ^ "Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment". europa.eu. 30 December 1989. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
External links
- CDC - Emergency Response Resources: Personal Protective Equipment - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic
- European Commission, DG Enterprise, Personal Protective Equipment
- Directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment
- A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992' Archived 2020-07-28 at the Wayback Machine INDG174(rev1), revised 8/05 (HSE)