Workplace Safety: 4 Tips for Choosing Your PPE

From safety footwear to protective gloves, follow these steps.

Health and safety at work are a priority for both professionals and employers. Using the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can minimize and prevent accidents.

1. Risk assessment

Identify the occupational risks inherent to your work environment. For example, these may include exposure to harmful chemicals, risk of physical impacts, electric shocks, or biological hazards.

2. What is the required level of protection?

After analyzing the hazards involved, you must determine the level of protection necessary to ensure your safety while performing daily tasks.

Each type of Personal Protective Equipment, whether partial or full, has its own safety classifications according to CE marking, varying depending on different levels of protection:

• Category I: Simple equipment with a low level of protection. For example, gardening gloves, clothing, and footwear for non-extreme conditions.
• Category II: Solutions that provide a medium level of protection. This includes equipment such as helmets, high-visibility clothing, and safety footwear.
• Category III: Products with a higher complexity of protection, such as respiratory protective equipment, fall-arrest systems for working at height, and protective clothing against chemicals.

Ensure that your PPE complies with all relevant regulations and required standards for the intended application.

3. Select the right size and fit for you

PPE should fit and adjust properly to your body to guarantee it provides the correct protection.

4. Comfort and usability also matter

It’s common to have to use protective equipment for several hours, which can become uncomfortable throughout the day. Therefore, PPE that provides comfort is easier to use.

When choosing your next protective equipment, prioritize features such as weight, breathability, and ease of movement.

You must know how to use and maintain your PPE

For non-disposable equipment, follow these practices to ensure your PPE continues to provide adequate protection:

• Follow the supplier’s instructions regarding product care.
• Clean regularly, removing residues, dust, and/or potential contaminants.
• Check its condition before and after use (look for cracks, tears, or other damage that may affect the PPE’s integrity).
• Store in an appropriate place (clean, dry, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures).

Discover the different types of Personal Protective Equipment