If you’ve been keeping your ear to the ground you’ll no doubt already know that changes are being brought in to the
personal protective equipment (PPE) directive and legislation, in order to update procedures and protocols that have been in place for the last 20 years or so.
You can see why an update might be in order, since the world of industry has changed so much over the past couple of decades, with the introduction of more advanced equipment and new, more innovative technology. It’s no surprise that some regulations are now well out of date.
PPE is important because you need to encourage your workforce to operate safely and responsibly, and even if you’ve applied all engineering controls and safe systems of work, there may well be a few hazards that
pose risks to your employees. For example, this could include injuries to the skin, body, eyes, head or feet and the lungs.
To help protect people, PPE such as high visibility boiler suits is required to help reduce risks. Equipment must be chosen carefully and you must train your members of staff appropriately so they know how to use it properly and are able to detect and report any faults. Always choose products that are CE marked, that fits the user well and that full instruction is given (for example, teaching people how to remove their gloves without contaminating the skin).
New legislation regarding PPE came into force at the start of this year, although there is a transition period that will be ongoing for the next two years, with full enforcement to be introduced by the end of 2018. The previous regulations put the health and safety emphasis on manufacturers but it’s now important for you to note that this will no longer be the case and it will be down to all those in the supply chain to make sure the PPE they use meets the required standards.
It makes sense to ensure that you’re as familiar as possible with the new regulations so that you can make sure the suppliers you choose to use are adhering to the revised standards. In terms of your own health and safety at work, carry out a risk assessment to make sure your workers are using the correct equipment and check to see what hazards they are likely to come up against at work.
And of course, while it’s vital that you do make investments in the appropriate PPE for the jobs that you do, you should also make sure that you protect your staff properly by maintaining safe working habits at all times so as to avoid accident and injury in the workplace. If you need further advice or information, get in touch with us at The Site Supply Company today.