Protection is the best form of defence
Sometimes it's possible to remove or control a risk - perhaps by changing the way a process is carried out. If not, Regulation 4 of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 states that "every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work".
Protecting employees is an employer's duty. Yet in 2009/10, 152 workers were killed at work, and almost a quarter of a million reportable injuries occurred. 5.1 million Work days were lost due to workplace injury, and 23.4 million due to work-related illness. Many of those deaths and injuries may have led to prosecution of the employer, and all of those lost workdays meant lost productivity and reduced profitability. So to defend your employees against risk, yourself against prosecution, and your business against loss, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is something you have to take very seriously indeed.
What are the challenges you face?
The risks could be anything from chemicals to molten metals, dust and gas to radiation, extreme temperatures and electrocution to impacts, cuts and even infection and disease. The protection - depending on the hazard - could be required for the body, head, eyes, hands, arms, feet and legs, breathing or - although not covered by the same legislation - hearing. And the equipment could be as relatively simple as a pair of gloves, or something more complex such as breathing apparatus or a safety harness.
Identifying the risks, understanding how to minimise or eliminate them, and what type of PPE to provide to protect against them, are complex tasks requiring specialist knowledge. For many businesses this is one more administrative and financial burden they could do without. But as the figures above show, the alternative is not to be contemplated.
So, what's the solution?
Fortunately, there are PPE suppliers who can not only provide compliant equipment of every type, but can also help and advise on Risk Assessment, and even help with changing production systems or processes, tools or machinery, to eliminate or minimise hazards at source, where possible. The need for expert help with a Risk Assessment is fairly apparent, but how hard can it be to choose and buy a pair of protective gloves or ear defenders, for example?
The fact is, they have to be the right kind of gloves or ear defenders, providing the right kind of protection at the right level. So of course they have to be CE marked and compliant with the PPE Regulations 2002. They also have to be worn by the employees concerned before they can do any good - which means they have to fit, be comfortable, take into account the state of health of the wearer, and not make it difficult for them to carry out the job the equipment is designed to be worn for.
With so much to consider, and so much to lose if it's not done correctly, it really is essential to talk to a supplier with in-depth knowledge, comprehensive know-how, and access to the most experienced PPE manufacturers in the field.
A supplier like ERIKS can help, advise and provide practical support at every stage: from an initial Risk Assessment to supplying PPE which provides the right level of protection and which your employees will be happy to wear. And if PPE is not the answer, ERIKS' solution-neutral approach and broad range of capabilities means they can advise you on changing or adapting your systems or machinery instead, and help you to take the necessary steps.
So, your best form of protection isn't something you wear, it's someone you call. Like ERIKS.