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only there to look after you. It's not there for anyone else, only you.
2. It protects you
The second word of PPE is protection.
The whole reason for PPE is to protect you, so if you don't wear or
And not just at work. You have a life, family, friends. You only get
be other controls in place, but your PPE is the control that stands
5. It's cheap
Many types of PPE are as cheap as chips. Gloves for under £1,
earplugs for less than 20p a pair, hard hats for under £5. So cost
6. It's easy
It's easy to pop a hard hat on your head or stick on a pair of safety
boots.
7. It's replaceable
Because PPE is cheap and readily available, it's easy to replace.
Did your gloves get ripped? Get a new pair. Was your hard hat hit?
Get a new one. It's not so easy to replace your skin or your skull.
softer to kneel, and gloves soften sharp edges. If your PPE isn't
that brick falls from the scaffolding even though there are toe -
boards in place?
do. But you can control if you wear and use your PPE.
Your PPE is something you can visually check before and during
You see it. You feel it. You know it's there.
environment.
Those safety boots are going to last much longer than your
trainers on a worksite. And they will protect your feet better too.
exposed to at work. Wear the right PPE for the job for maximum
protection.
Like dust masks keep dust out your lungs, and gloves stop you
something hits your head, you can't just get a new one.
day. For picking things up and putting them down. For pushing
scrolling.
Gloves will help protect your hands from sharp edges, hot surfaces
risk.
your ear defenders, then ringing ears could keep you awake.
Don't take risks with your health and safety. Wearing PPE is an
extra way to stay safe at work and get back home to your family.
PPE?
PPE isn't the only safety measure needed at work. The hierarchy of
risk control puts it as the last line of defence. But it's still a part of
the health and safety system that will keep you safe.
wear it. But they can't watch you at all times. It's your
wear and use the PPE provided correctly (more on this in reason
50).
by other means, PPE is needed. Yes, you will decide on the most
suitable PPE for the task, but whether or not PPE is worn and used
is not optional.
Everyone should wear and use PPE. From directors and managers
to visitors and new starters. It only takes one person not following
workplace.
shows you have standards and run a safe site. And as an individual
wearing PPE, it shows you care about your work and yourself.
things right.
workplace as someone who does the right thing and takes care at
reminding.
even sunburn? PPE can help cover your skin and stop this from
happening to you.
Now you can make sure your PPE is compatible with you and with
escaping unharmed.
42. There's a hidden killer
Have you heard of the hidden killer, asbestos? It's only dangerous
When you wear your PPE, you are protected, even if you can't see
what from.
air, right? Not always, some deadly gases are odourless, like
carbon monoxide.
you anyway.
But what about other people on the site? Could they drop
your own!).
an accident, but there are also types of PPE that can stop an
accident. Think about how safety lanyards and harnesses can stop
hat can help you to see. Your ear defenders can make a noisy work
environment tolerable.
A hard hat can stop a brick from breaking your skull. A harness
can prevent you from falling off a roof. A lifejacket can keep you
afloat until help arrives. I'm sure you can think of many more
examples.
where there is a risk to health and safety and for employees to use