Safety at Workplace

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Personal protection equipment

 

Using personal protective equipment can often involve discomfort. Therefore, the aim must be to use preventive technical measures to try and reduce the need for personal protective equipment. It is, however, impossible to reduce the atmosphere pollution produced on some jobs to a level where there is no risk to health. In such cases personal protective equipment must be used. The body must be protected if there is any risk of coming into physical contact with chemicals.

Careful checks should always be made that the protective equipment meets the requirements for resistance against the chemicals being handled.

In situations where oxygen may be limited filter type respirator is unsatisfactory. A unit which supplies breathing air to the worker becomes an essential part of the workers’ personal protective equipment.

An air mask with positive pressure gives the best protection. The air may be supplied from a compressor with a filter , a permanent compressed air plant (with filter) or oxygen bottles. In a warm climate, this is the most comfortable mask.

A full mask can be fitted with the same type of filters as the half mask on the previous page. A full mask will also protect your eyes and face.

If you have a beard, a filter mask will offer you no protection at all because it will not fit tight against your face.

Depending on their chemical corn position, pesticides can cause serious poisoning, including nerve damage and eye damage. Early symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of strength. Use caution handling chemical substances.

Accident :

Despite different technical measures, personal protective equipment and other preventive steps, accidents still happen. Quick action and proper first aid can save lives in many cases. It is therefore important that one knows what to do when a colleague is injured, and what steps should be taken until he receives proper medical care.

Unconscious people should be rapidly removed from areas containing poisonous gases. Artificial respiration should be given as quickly as possible. Large amounts of water should be used to rinse parts of the body that have been splashed with chemicals.

If you get a splash from a dangerous liquid in your eyes you should immediately rinse your eyes with ordinary water. The best thing to do in workplaces where chemicals are used extensively is to install an eye shower.