Personal protective equipment safety talk

Para ver en español, haga clic en el siguiente enlace:

Equipos de protección individual

Wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) in any work environment helps minimize exposure to physical, environmental, chemical, and biological hazards. To ensure we are using the proper equipment, we should start by assessing the work to be performed and what potential hazards exist. Examples of typical workplace hazards include moving objects, electric connections, high noise levels, harmful dust, or the presence of chemicals. The next step is selecting the appropriate PPE based on the risks identified with the job and the environment in which the work will be performed. PPE only works when it is right for the job and the environment.

Types of PPE:

Clothing and Footwear: The importance of choosing the proper protective clothing is often overlooked and its benefits cannot be underestimated. This form of PPE covers the largest portion of your body and can help protect you from a variety of workplace hazards.

Examples of protective clothing are aprons, lab coats, reflective vests, coveralls, lead aprons, thermal gear, and cold protective clothing.

Selecting the appropriate footwear can protect us from stepping on sharp objects, hazardous substances, falling objects, and slips and falls. It is important to select the appropriate footwear for the job being performed and the environment.

Hand Protection: Gloves are an inexpensive and simple way to guard against many hazards, from chemicals to cuts and punctures. Hand protection comes in an assortment of styles, materials, and sizes that can even be customized for a specific industry or hazard. Fit is also an important consideration because if gloves are too large, they can impair the dexterity of our hands or cause us to lose grip, potentially causing an accident.

Head and Eye Protection: Hard hats must be worn when overhead hazard conditions are present such as falling objects or low ceilings or when contacting electrical conductors is possible.

Using proper eye protection can help prevent injury and even blindness. Safety glasses, goggles, or shields protect the eyes from chemical or bodily fluid splashes, flying fragments, dust, sand, dirt, and other environmental hazards.

Hearing protection: Reducing the noise level in your work environment to a safe level is the most effective method to prevent hearing loss. However, lowering the noise level isn’t always possible. In these instances ear plugs or earmuffs should be worn to protect hearing.

Disclaimer:

This article is provided solely as a reference tool to be used for information purposes only. The information in this article shall not be construed or interpreted as providing legal or any other advice. The information material does not amend the provisions of any insurance policy issued by CompSource Mutual. It is not a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy provisions, and any applicable law.

Meet Our Safety Team

Related Safety Resources