Personalized Security Gear (PPE)
Wellbeing & Safety Executive (HSE) research suggests that in 60% of accidents where protection machines would have prevented or reduced the severity of an injury, Personalized Defense Tools was either not provided, provided but not used or was the incorrect type of devices. In any of these situations the employer is open to both criminal and civil action by the injured... and likely to be found negligent.
The Personal Protective Machines Regulations 1992 aimed to improve employers understanding of providing specific devices with legal penalties for those that did not. A key target of the legislation was the construction industry who account for a large amount of injuries and it was seen as an area they could improve upon by providing suitable equipment. Own Security Devices not only offers immediate safety in some cases, it is vital is protecting against long term damage and ill wellness.
The regulations require a business owner to complete a risk assessment to understand what risks are in their business and identify suitable control measures. Once the risks have been established, you need to see what you can do about removing them or introducing other activities to reduce the requirement to wear Individual Safety Equipment. The reason these types of tools should be seen as a last resort are because:
- It only protects the person wearing it. Other staff could be at risk from the actions of the employee but how are they protected?
- For protection the gear requires the user to wear it properly at all times; people can forget or not wear it correctly and therefore be at risk.
- Wearing Personalized Safety Machines can restrict movement or visibility and therefore introduce other issues to private safety.
- Any products is unlikely to protect completely against all hazards.
Employers also have the following further duties to -
- Properly assess the security provided to ensure it is suitable and will control the risks.
- Ensure the machines is readily available.
- Meets the required standards. Various British Standards exist to ensure the devices performs as required.
- Make sure the gear is maintained and fit to use eg continues to perform as designed.
- Provide staff with information and instruction on how to use the gear properly.
- Ensure staff are wearing Particular Safety Gear when required.
Although the above duties sound too involved, it is not unreasonable for your staff to be protected from hazards at work and the main question to ask yourself is "what would I do in this situation and would I be happy wearing this machines?" If you would not wear the devices provided yourself, why would your staff?
Nigel J Welford is a qualified Wellness & Safety professional and believes in making the process of well being and safety in the workplace as simple as possible whilst still being effective and meeting all the regulations. Get a copy of his free report "The Secret To How Overall health & Safety Can Improve Your Business And Profits: 7 Everyday Pitfalls To Avoid" from http://www.healthandsafetyintheworkplace.com
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