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When carrying out different professional functions, we must be provided with personal protective equipment. It is one of the key conditions to maintain OHS rules in a company. In this article we will answer the following questions: what is personal protective equipment, why is it important and what does it consist of? Published: 5-12-2022 What is personal protective equipment? Personal protective equipment has been used for years in companies large and small, but also in other employment establishments. Its definition is included in the Regulation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of September 26, 1997 on general provisions on safety and health at work. As indicated by law, personal protective equipment means: any OHS protection measure designed to protect humans against dangerous and harmful factors that may exist individually or together in the work environment. The protection of the life and health of workers is the duty of employers. It is they who must organize a safe infrastructure in the workplace. They must provide their personnel with the appropriate amount of appropriate personal protective clothing and other measures to protect extremities, head, ears, eyes, etc. OSH personal protective equipment: types Information on the classification of personal protective equipment can be found in Polish standards.
It is divided into 9 basic groups, such as: personal protective clothing, protectors for lower limbs, protectors for upper limbs and knees, head protectors, protective measures for eyes and eyelids, hearing protection measures, respiratory protection measures, general protective equipment, protective measures used during work at height. It is worth noting that the above list of employee personal protective equipment does not cover work clothing or uniforms. Personal SST equipment should also not be confused with means of collective protection, for example, supply and exhaust systems CZ Leads installed in rooms. Examples of personal protective equipment Today, the range of professional SST protective equipment is extremely wide. Includes protectors, coveralls, masks or footwear designed for work in adverse conditions. Personal protective equipment also covers: specialized helmets and lightweight protective helmets, glasses (tinted, colorless, yellow), protection cords for work at height, reinforced protective gloves, earmuffs, earplugs and earplugs. A very important group within these SST measures is protective clothing. This includes: pants made of materials resistant to high temperatures, fire or electric shock, waterproof vests with fluorescent stripes, special explosion-proof suits, acid resistant work clothes, antistatic clothing.
What personal protective equipment should be used in the workplace? As a result of the Civil Code, the sole responsibility for the selection of personal protective equipment lies with the employer (or any person designated by him). According to the law, protectors must be assigned compulsorily and free of charge. Company regulations and standards include information on what personal SSO equipment should be applied at a particular workstation. Regardless of type, any protective equipment made available to employees must meet international standards. Additionally, the protectors must be new and free of any manufacturing defects. Sharing personal protective equipment at work is not permitted, and gloves, goggles or coveralls cannot be worn after other employees. The employer must adjust clothing or other protective equipment to the specific nature of the work. Why should personal protective equipment be used? Not as long ago as 50 or 100 years ago, workplace accidents and occupational diseases occurred daily. This pathology was eliminated by modern OHS guidelines (including standards developed by the European Union and the American Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)). Global institutions particularly emphasize the fact that OHS personal protective equipment is one of the most effective ways to keep employees healthy (and alive!). Helmets or overalls protect the sensitive human body and reduce the likelihood of fatal accidents.
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