Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect the user against health and safety risks in the workplace. There are various types of PPE, and they include high-visibility clothing, safety helmets, face masks, respiratory protective equipment (RPE), gloves, protective suit, eye protection, ear protection, and safety footwear (OSHA, HSE). The following is a discussion about five types of PPE and their limitations.
Gloves are worn to protect the hand from extreme heat or cold. It is also worn to protect the hand from rough or sharp objects or surfaces. Gloves also protect the hand from being contaminated with harmful chemicals, pathogens, dust, gas, aerosols, fumes, and liquid. Prolonged and discriminate use of gloves has been found to been found to cause skin sensitivity and adverse reactions. Medical gloves do protect the user from pricks from sharp objects.
Face masks
Face masks usually cover the nose and the mouth and are usually used to protect the user from inhaling harmful particles, fumes, aerosols, dust, or pathogens. Surgical masks are used to protect healthcare workers from contamination. Face masks have a limitation in that they make communication difficult; especially talking. Face masks may also cause discomfort to the user due to perspiration. Face masks may not protect one from harmful gases. Prolonged use of face mask may cause it to be moist and hence harmful particles can easily stick to the moist part.
Eye protection
Eye protection equipment includes face shields, goggles, and safety glasses. They are used to protect the user against harmful chemical, metal, blood, and other harmful liquid splashes; projectiles, vapor, light, gas, and radiation. Eye protection can cause discomfort from a worker using it for the first time. Certain eye protection such as goggles used in welding operations restricts vision. Fogging on the eye lens/glass due to perspiration or humid/hot working environments impairs vision. Eye protective equipment is also incompatible with other PPE such as using eye protection and respiratory protection.
Safety helmets
Safety helmets are used to protect the users from the risk of falling objects, hair getting entangled in machine parts, extreme heat or cold, chemical drips/splash, and risk of bumping head over short heights. Wearing a helmet may make one feel uncomfortable especially when worn for long hours. It can also restrict movement because of its weight.
Ear protection
Ear protection equipment protects the user from harmful effects of sound. Ear plugs, semi-insert, earmuffs, and canal caps are used. Ear protection equipment can cause discomfort to the user. Further, the use of ear protection equipment can impair hearing and interfere with communications. Impaired communication can make the user susceptible to further risks.
Works cited
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Personal protective equipment (PPE). Web. 27 April 2016. < http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/ppe.htm >
Occuptional Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Personal Protective Equipment.US Department of Labor, 2003. Web. 27 April 2016. <https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf >
