Personal Protective Equipment in Safety and Health Essay Example for Free

Personal Protective Equipment in Safety and Health Essay This involves imposing a barrier (physical barrier or distance) between the hazard and the worker. Local and General Ventilation is used to dilute or divert toxic contaminants from the workers. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL Safe operating procedures (SOP), Shift work and training of workers can reduce the risk to the workers handling chemicals. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT If it is not possible to reduce chemical hazards to an acceptable level, by either elimination or guarding/isolation, the worker should be given certain protective equipment to prevent contact of the hazards with the body. This equipment forms a barrier between the toxic and the route of entry. Failure of equipment means immediate exposure to the hazard. Thus, personal protective equipment should not be regarded as a primary means to control hazards but rather as a supplement to other types of control measure. Injury will occur if hazards come into contact with our body, the degree of injury are depends on the magnititute of hazards and susceptibility of person. Protective clothing, gloves, apron, goggles and shoes – design to prevent absorption of chemical splash to the skin ? Safety helmet-to prevent from the sharp object falling on the head The effectiveness and efficiency of protection depends on proper use, maintenance and replacement of the PPE. If the PPE not used properly it can be more dangerous than not using as the worker would think that he is protected but in actual practice he is not protected. Factor to consider in the selection of PPE PPE should be carefully selected. The following criteria should be met when choosing PPE Give adequate protection against the specific hazard i. e right type and model ? Fit , minimum weight cause minimum discomfort and , if with attachment , it should be easily fitted and removed. ?Not restrict movement or sensory perception essential to the job ? Be easily worn and the eight to be supported by body ?Be durable and harmonious to the wear1`s culture and religion ? Not introduce additional hazards ?Be made to acceptable standards ?Be maintenance fee if possible, if maintenance is required , should be easily maintained ? Be replaced when necessary Used of respirators will prevent the entry of chemicals into the body by inhalation It is frequently used in industry where other forms of control are not practicable Type of respiratory protection : Are basically design to give protection against one or more of the following . †¢Contaminants in particulate forms †¢Contaminants in gaseous forms †¢Deficiency of oxygen With Full face mask or Half face mask Powered air is drawn through by a fan Non powered – air is drawn through by wearer inhalation Particulate filter come in various classes depending on their filtering efficiency. Gas filters are available for specific gases (e. g organic vapours, hydrogen, cyanide) Supplied air respirators (SARS) ?The air is supplied is not pressurized. It can be supplied by use of a fan , compressed air source or wearer inhalation. . ?The air supplied is pressurized and comes from a compressor or gas cylinder via an air line . Pressure is reduced prior to entering the respirator. ?The air is supplied from cylinders strapped to the wearer`s back Suppliers air respirators can have a negative pressure inside the face piece or a positive pressure. The positive types give a significantly higher evel of protection . Continuous flow types are also available for use with hoods. Protection factors This is a measure of the level of protection given by a respirator is defined as the ratio between the concentration of contaminant outside the respirator and the concentration inside the respirator(i. e the air breathed) Protection factor = ambient air concentration Concentration inhaled inside respirator For air purifying respirator it depends on the type of face mask and the efficiency of the filter. A full mask provide a higher level of protection than a half mask. For supplied air respirator it depends on pressure inside the mask(as well as the type of mask) . The protection factor is a major consideration when selecting a respirator. Selection of respirators; depends on:- †¢The contaminant †¢Task †¢Operator The contaminant i. The nature ,toxicity, physical form and concentration the contaminant, whether : particulate gas vapour or combination of both ii. whether failure of the device can result in a situation which is immediately dangerous to life and health. iii. The need to wear other personal protective equipment eg. Eye or skin protection to protect against irritants. iv. The adequacy of warning given by the contaminant v. The possibility of the contaminated atmosphere being flammable. Task. i. whether the device is for regular use for emergency or rescue purposes. ii. The probable length of time during which the wearer will be in the contaminated atmosphere. iii. The expected level of activity and mobility required of the wearer. iv. The access to and nature of the working environment and its location with respect to a source of air suitable for breathing. v. Vision and communication requirements. vi. Maintenance requirement. Operator factor †¢Basic physiology †¢Facial fit †¢User acceptance Fit testing is an important part of the selection process, particularly when the respirator design relies on a good seal. A range of respirators may need to be tried to fit individuals with different facial characteristics. Facial air can also reduce the effectiveness of seal significantly. Recognised test methods are available for initial fit testing. These are to design to detect or measure the amount of leakage around the seal of the respirator. Fit testing must be carried out when first issuing a respirator to a worker. Crude test (such as covering the openings and taking a vigorous breath) can be used in the field to check fit. Maintenance and storage All respirator (other than disposable types) need cleaning , maintenance and storage. Inhalation and exhalation valves need checking and replacement as do straps. Seals need to be disinfected , cleaned and check for damage.