Why is PPE important?

 What is PPE?

Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is any type of clothing or gear worn to protect the body from injury or infection. This could include things like gloves, safety glasses, face masks and earplugs.

PPE is an essential part of any workplace safety program. By taking the time to select the right PPE for the job and ensuring that it is used properly, employers can help keep their workers safe from harm.

Why is PPE important in the workplace?

There are a number of reasons why PPE is so important. First, it helps to create a barrier between workers and potential hazards. This can be invaluable in preventing exposure to dangerous materials or situations. In some cases, PPE can be the difference between life and death. Second, PPE can help reduce the severity of injuries that do occur. For example, wearing gloves can help prevent cuts and scrapes from becoming infected.

The third is reason is that, plain and simple, PPE is the law. In many countries, employers are required by law to provide appropriate PPE for their employees. This is because it is recognised that PPE is essential for protecting workers’ health and safety.

What types of PPE are available?

PPE can be classified according to the body part it protects, the type of hazard, and the type of garment or accessory. The safety features of each piece of PPE must be compared with the risks expected to be found in the workplace.

The most common types of PPE include:

1. Respirators: Respirators protect the user from harmful contaminants in the air. They work by filtering out noxious substances (e.g. N95 masks) or by providing clean air from another source. Face masks (see below) are considered PPE, but are not respirators.
2. Face masks: Face masks (also known as surgical masks) are made of breathable fabric and can filter out small particles in the air. Wearing face masks reduces the spread of airbourne pathogens and other aerosolized contaminants.
3. Eye protection: A type of PPE designed to protect from eye injury. Typical hazards for the eyes include wood chips, smoke and chemical splashes. This type of PPE includes safety glasses and face shields.
4. Hearing protection. Earplugs and earmuffs are used to protect the internal ear from damaging levels of noise.
5. Skin protection: Includes every type of PPE meant to protect the skin from harmful substances or direct trauma. Gloves and lab coats are included in this category.
6. Protective clothing. This category includes every type of gear worn to protect workers from harm. Examples include headgear and footwear.

How to choose the right PPE for your needs

There are a few factors to consider when choosing PPE. First, you need to assess the risks present in your work environment. This will help you determine what type of PPE is necessary. Next, you need to make sure that the PPE you select is comfortable and easy to wear. Workers are more likely to comply with safety regulations if they are comfortable in their PPE. Finally, you need to ensure that your PPE meets all relevant safety standards.

PPE is an important part of keeping workers safe on the job site. By taking the time to choose the right PPE for your needs, you can help protect your employees from serious injuries and illnesses.

Conro Electronics, as a leading supplier of materials and tools in the electronic manufacturing industry, offers a wide choice of PPE from major manufacturers such as 3M.

We’ll show you how to improve product reliability while increasing performance and lowering costs. Our team of technical support specialists will provide your company with dependable global supply, unrivalled efficiency, and superior technical support.

Feel free to contact us on 0208 953 1211 or send us an email to info@conro.com