The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the Workplace

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for workplace health and safety as it helps protect workers from hazards that may result in injury, greatly reducing the rate of workplace accidents.

What is PPE? 

PPE is defined in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER) as ‘all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects the person against one or more risks to that person’s health or safety, and any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective’.

Essentially, PPE refers to specialised clothing and equipment designed to protect individuals from workplace hazards, helping reduce the risk of injury. 

The Hierarchy of Controls is a commonly used structure in occupational health and safety to assess and minimise exposure to hazards in the workplace. It consists of five levels, ranked from most effective to least effective. 

Hierarchy of Controls

PPE should be the last resort to protect against risks to health and safety in the workplace. Control measures and safe systems of work should be considered first.

The Hierarchy of Controls is a systematic approach that priorities safety measures based on their effectiveness in controlling risks. By following this hierarchy, businesses can ensure a more proactive, efficient, and systematic safety management strategy. 

Eliminating the hazard entirely is the most effective control method. If the risk can be removed from the workplace entirely, the possibility of injury or harm is completely eradicated. 

If eliminating the hazard is not feasible, the next best option is substitution, this involves replacing a hazardous material. process, or piece of equipment with something less dangerous. 

When neither elimination nor substitution is possible, engineering controls become the focus. These controls physically isolate workers from the hazard or reduce the potential exposure to it. This is highly effective because they do not rely on workers to follow proper safety protocols; they actively protect them from hazards.

If engineering controls are insufficient or not feasible, administrative controls are the next line of defense. These controls involve changing how work is done through policies, procedures, training and scheduling adjustments. While administrative controls can be effective, they rely on workers adhering to safety protocols, which makes them less reliable then engineering controls.

The last line of defense is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that includes gloves, safety goggles, helmets, ear protection and respirators designed to protect the worker from direct exposure of hazards.  While PPE is essential and often required it should not be the first choice from controlling risks because it does not eliminate or control the hazard as its source. It only provides a barrier between the worker and the hazard. 

Why is PPE Essential?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for several key reasons:

1. Protection Against Unavoidable Risks

Despite the best efforts to eliminate, substitute, or engineer controls of hazards, some risks may still be present. PPE serves as the final protective barrier when hazards cant be fully eliminated. It provides workers with an extra layer of defense from specific dangers that are difficult to mitigate through other means. 

1. Complies with Legal and Regulatory Standards

In many workplaces. PPE is not just a recommendation but a requirement set by Health and Safety Regulatory bodies. Regulations mandate PPE use to protect workers from certain workplace hazards, ensuring that companies meet legal safety obligations. 

1. Minimises Injury and Illness Risk

PPE is specifically designed to reduce likelihood of injuries or illnesses that could arise from exposure to harmful substances, physical injuries or environmental hazards. Whether it’s head protection from falling objects, eye protection from flying debris, or respiratory protection from harmful fumes, PPE is essential in reducing immediate harm to workers.

PPE works to reduce workplace risk

PPE is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, it helps reduce workplace injuries. The correct PPE is important as it provides enhanced protection and helps minimises exposure to specific workplace hazards, preventing accidents and reducing injuries. Likewise, it can reduce long-term health risks as PPE reduces risks from continual exposure to harmful substances which can cause long term health conditions. 

PPE can help to improve workplace productivity

PPE can also, when properly fitting, improve comfort and efficiency by ensuring ease of movement and comfort. This in turn can enhance productivity by improving the working environment while also reducing any fear of injury. The most obvious benefit of PPE is that it prevents injuries and illnessess. By protecting workers from hazards like falling objects, toxic chemicals, sharp tools, and hazardous machinery, PPE reduces the likelihood of accidents. Fewer injuries means:

• Less downtime due to worker absence or recovery

• Lower insurance cost and fewer workers compensation claims

• Continuity of operations, with fewer disruptions to workflow

PPE is legally required

Organisations are required by law to provide PPE and enforce its usage, therefore meaning, it ensures compliance with health and safety regulations. Finally, it can be cost effective as accident prevention reduces medical expenses, and compensation claims along with work-related absence due to injuries.

Types of PPE

• Head Protection such as Helmets and Hard Hats - Protects against head injuries from falling objects or impacts. 

• Hearing Protection such as earplugs and ear defenders – Protects against loud/long exposure to noise that could result in hearing impairment or deafness. 

• Respiratory Protection – Protects from health issues resulting from breathing in hazardous substances such as dust and fumes. 

• Body Protection such as Protective Clothing/Aprons – Protects the body from coming into contact with harmful substances. 

• Eye and Face Protection such as Safety Goggles and Face Shields – Protects the eyes and face against duct and debris. 

• Foot and Leg Protection such as Boots - Protects feet from impacts or punctures from heavy objects and uneven surfaces. 

• Hand and Arm protection such as gloves - Protects hands and arms against cuts, abrasions, burns, chemicals, infections and extreme temperatures.

PPE in Construction

Personal Protective Equipment is vital in the construction industry. The type of PPE required depends on the specific task and associated hazards. Workers should be trained on the correct use, maintenance, and limitations of PPE.

Some more construction specific examples of PPE are safety boots with reinforced toes and slip-resistant soles, fall arrest protection such as harnesses, and safety nets for working at heights and hi-visibility clothing made from fluorescent colours to ensure workers can be easily seen, especially near heavy machinery and vehicles. 

Best Practices for Effective Use of PPE:

• Proper Training – All employees should receive thorough training on selecting, using, and maintaining PPE correctly.

• Regular Inspections and Maintenance – PPE should be checked regularly for damage to ensure it is in good condition and replaced when necessary. 

• Ensuring Correct and Comfort Fit – Ill-fitting PPE can be ineffective and uncomfortable, reducing compliance of workers and overall protection.

• Encouraging a Safety Culture – Employers should promote the use of PPE and lead by example. 

• Hazard Assessment – Conduct a risk assessment to determine the appropriate PPE for each task.

How Haswell Training can help you to protect your workforce

PPE is a crucial part of workplace safety as it offers protection against a number of hazards. Employers and employees must work together to ensure the correct use of PPE to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Providing employees with the right protective equipment for each task and ensuring the use of PPE is implemented is vital for organisations to reduce workplace risks, comply with safety regulations, and enhance overall well-being.

If you are looking to improve safety in the workplace, then consider one of our Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) courses. For more information check out Using personal protective equipment (PPE) to control risks at work: Overview - HSE