PPE-Awareness Toolbox Talks

What PPE Means?

SAFETY GLASSES/GOGGLES/VISORS, “HARD HATS”, SAFETY BOOTS/SHOES, HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING, DUST MASKS, RESPIRATORS, EAR DEFENDERS, GLOVES, FALL-ARREST HARNESSES & LANYARDS, OVERALLS, DUST SUITS, KNEE PADS AND ANY OTHER CLOTHING PROVIDED IN THE INTERESTS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY.

Discussion

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is intended to protect you from sever fatal risks which cannot be eliminated or guarded against by other more effective means. Your employer must gauge the work or activity you do and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or reduce risks. If he decides that some risk remains, he must provide you with PPE. Some risks are deemed to be always present in existing buildings and on building sites, hence separate regulations require “Hard Hats” to be worn in “Hard Hat Areas”, at all times.

You are required to apply common sense and wear PPE appropriate to the task being carried out. However, where PPE is identified in a task risk assessment or on a site safety sign it must be worn, this is not an option, this is a legal duty.

Key Points

You have a legal duty to wear any PPE provided by your employer and he must see that you do.
You must wear and use the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the way it was intended – therefore it must fit you. If it doesn’t - report it to your supervisor of HSE in charge.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be suitable for the risk and the job in hand – if it’s not – report it to your supervisor of HSE in charge.
PPE must not itself create a new risk – if it does – reports it.
You must take care of the PPE and not abuse it.
You have no right to take the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) off-site unless your employer says you can. Otherwise, you must return such PPE to the appropriate storage place after use.
If you are unfamiliar about how to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (e.g. respirators or fall-arrest harnesses & lanyards) ask for appropriate Safety training first.
You must be adequately trained.
If there is anything wrong with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided e.g., worn out, broken, missing, in need of maintenance or cleaning etc., you must report it immediately.
The Health & Safety Executive provides free advice leaflets on PPE for construction workers, ask for a copy.

Remember, the law does not expect your boss to be psychic if you know of a problem regarding PPE or a risk that needs guarding against TELL HIM OR HER ABOUT IT!

Document to [YOUR ORGANIZATION] provides confirmation that the Personal Protective Equipment document ref TBT NO 100 has been read and understood, and will be adhered to at all times.