Alright, let’s get real about staying safe at work. Nobody clocks in dreaming of a trip to A&E, right? So, let’s talk about the unsung hero of your day-to-day work: PPE. So what is PPE? PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, and that’s exactly what it should do. Protect you personally. I know, it sounds like something your nan would nag you about, but bear with me—this kit is your personal force field.
So what’s the big deal with PPE? Basically, PPE’s your last line of defence against all the weird and not-so-wonderful hazards your job throws at you. We’re talking hard hats for when gravity gets nasty, goggles to keep your eyeballs chemical-free, gloves so your hands aren’t a science experiment, high-vis so you don’t get flattened by a forklift—stuff like that. And it’s not just about stopping you from losing a finger or two.
- PPE shields you from all sorts of nasties:
- Bonks on the head from falling junk
- Eye attacks from splashes or flying bits
- Breathing in sketchy dust or fumes
- Eardrums getting wrecked by noise
- Nasty rashes or chemical burns
- Crushed toes, mangled hands, slips, trips, you name it.
What people have to do with PPE is set out in UK Law, the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 and updates, and this bit really matters. The law says your boss has to:
- Give you the right PPE for the job. No, a baseball cap doesn’t count as a hard hat.
- Make sure it fits. Baggy gloves or a helmet that wobbles like jelly? Nope.
- Show you how to use it. Giving you a mask and walking off isn’t good enough.
- Not charge you for it. If you need it, they pay for it – end of story.
The law also says YOU have to:
- Use it as your employer tells you
- Look after it
- Report any damage or problems to your boss immediately.
If people need protecting from something dangerous, the first thing to do isn’t to grab some PPE. There are ways to manage hazards that must follow a process:
- Do a Risk Assessment. Someone needs to figure out what’s actually dangerous around you. Is it chemicals? Heavy stuff? Dodgy machinery?
- Try to fix the problem first: PPE’s still a way off yet. If you can make the hazard go away by fixing a process or using something safer, do that before putting your gloves on. There’s a Hierarchy of Controls to follow.
- These engineered controls will probably need to be supported by some procedures and training.
- The risk assessment should identify if PPE is needed, and what it should be. This is the last choice.
PPE can’t be made by just anyone; it has to meet strict standards. You know if it meets the standards by the label. All PPE meeting the standards carries a CE or UKCA mark on the label. If it doesn’t have this, it probably isn’t up to standard, so don’t use it and ask your boss to get you something that is.
Once you have it:
- Make sure it fits properly. If it doesn’t, it may not protect you
- Make sure you’ve been shown how to use it properly; don’t just guess.
- If you need to ask questions, ask them! Better a dumb question at 8 am than an ambulance at 9 am.
- Make sure you use it every time you should. Besides protecting you from injuries, not wearing it can get you in trouble with your boss.
- Tell your boss about any problems or damage.
PPE doesn’t usually look cool or trendy, but work isn’t a fashion show or a party. Wear your PPE, follow the safety rules, and go home safe at the end of the day.
By the way, I’m not your lawyer or your company’s safety officer. If you’ve got any questions about your PPE, talk to someone who’s paid to know the details, like your boss. Alright, lecture over. Stay safe, legends.