Getting your PPE Facts right 5 facts and 5 myths

competition

Amy Morris

We rely on five sense right?

Let this be the first mythWe rely on five sense right?

There are actually between 9 & 21

O2

💡

⚖

Depending on how you count them

💪

🚾

🌈💡

O2

🌈💡

⚖

💪

🚾

And we do not want to lose these senses!

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can help!

“PPE should be the first line of defence against hazards”

Injury

Pain Disease

“PPE should be the first line of defence against hazards”

Injury

Pain Disease

PPE is the last defence in the Hierarchy of Controls

Elimination

Substitution

Engineering Controls

Administration Controls

PPE

40% of eye injuries occurred whilst safety glasses were worn due to incorrect type or fit

1

“The highest level of hearing protection is the safest”

In ear or over ear(or both)

Class 5 Worn all the time

“The highest level of hearing protection is the safest”

In ear or over ear(or both)

Class 5 Worn all the time

Reduced

communication

Cannot hear vehicles Missed warning sounds

The highest hearing protection may be overprotection

If you damage your hearing, a hearing aid CANNOT bring it back

2

“Safety boots only protect fromslips and toe injuries”

Impact

Punctures Crushing

“Safety boots only protect fromslips and toe injuries”

Impact

Punctures Crushing

Rolling anklesChemicals

Fatigue when standing for long periods

Correct fitting safety boots canalso protect you from

Rubber and urethane are more slip resistant than leather or vinyl soles

3

O2

“Wearing a respirator is enough to protect you from airborne hazards”

ParticlesDust

Asbestos

O2

“Wearing a respirator is enough to protect you from airborne hazards”

ParticlesDust

Asbestos

Positive Pressure Test

Negative Pressure Test

Face fit & Fit testing

Respirators only protect you when they fit correctly

O2

Facial hair can prevent the facepiece-to-face seal, greatly reducing effectiveness

4

O2

“Disposable gloves will protect you from chemical injury”

Latex glovesNitrile gloves

Vinyl gloves

“Disposable gloves will protect you from chemical injury”

Latex glovesNitrile gloves

Vinyl gloves

Latex damaged by oils and grease

Nitrile dissolved by acetone

Vinyl degraded by paint strippers

Disposable gloves can react with chemicals, causing more harm

Some gloves are porous, meaning bacteria can get through from hands

5

PPE is used as a last resort

If you are unsure about your PPE

Don’t risk losing your senses**Pun intended

Thank you for the opportunity

2

‘Myths’ determined by my own research

1

3

4

5

Victorian Deaf Society, Information Sheet

3M Protective Eyewear, from Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Safe Work Australia, Slips Trips and Falls Factsheet

NC Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Division, Publication

NZ Ministry for Primary Industries, Foodsmart: Myth busting about gloves