Assessment Strategy
All PPE must be assessed for its intended purpose. One of the essential elements which applies throughout, is the requirement for PPE to be made available in all sizes. Unless, as in the case of Safety Helmets, the equipment is size adjustable.
Recommendations
Head Protection
Risks:
- Head injury due to being struck.
- Abrasions to the scalp due to striking against obstructions, e.g. branches of trees.
Characteristics required of PPE selected:
- Safety Helmet to BS EN 397 (will provide protection against above).
- The Combination Forestry Helmet to BS 5240. Will provide a comprehensive Protection package, controlling hazards to the head, eyes & ears.
Eye Protection
Risks:
- Eye injury due to: flying particles, e.g. twigs and stones; chemical splashes; dust and welding operations, e.g. arc eye.
Characteristics required of P.P.E. selected:
- Prescription and non-prescriptive safety spectacles - to BS EN 166 Grade F - provide control against normal impact risks.
- High impact risks, such as abrasive wheel operation, require BS EN 166 Grade B protection. This can only be met by the use of goggles, face shields or fixed shields.
- Protection against chemicals is provided by goggles or face shields, to BS EN 166 Grade A, with the suffix "C.M." Goggles with the suffix "C.D.M." also confirms their suitability for the protection against dust.
Respiratory Protection
Risks:
- Exposure to concentrations of fume, dust or mist, liable to cause ill-health effects.
Characteristics required of PPE selected:
- A range of disposable filtering face-piece respirators are available to cover the above risk situations, either in support of engineering controls, e.g. ventilation, or where the application of engineering controls are not reasonably practicable.
Four models are available, all of which meet the H.S.E. Standard:
- BS EN 149 Type 8810 - (Dust and Mist)
- Type9920 - (Dust and Welding Fume)
- Type 8825 - (Pesticides)
- Type 8835 - (Asbestos)
References
The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992
Hand Protection
Risks:
- A range of gloves are available to meet the spectrum of risks encountered, such as:
- Cuts and abrasions; chemicals and solvents; infectious material, e.g. animal excreta; cryogenic conditions and non-ionising radiation.
Characteristics required of PPE selected:
- Leatherette "Gardening" gloves, providing protection for general horticultural work, are available.
- For wet condition work, and for dilute water-based chemicals, PVC gloves are available.
- For water-based chemicals, such as acids, alkalis and bleaches, rubber gloves or gauntlets are required.
- For protection against organic solvent-based chemicals, nitrile gloves or gauntlets are required. to BSEN 374
- For puncture resistance when dealing with clinical sharps, e.g. hypodermic syringe needles, Anti-Syringe gloves provide the best degree of protection to date.
- For hand protection where full manual dexterity is essential, disposable surgeon's gloves are available.
- When handling extremely cold materials, e.g. liquefied gasses, cryogenic gloves are prescribed.
Foot Protection
Risks:
- Crushing of toes from falling objects or due to entrapment.
- Amputation, e.g. from contact with machinery blades.
- Injury due to treading on a sharp object.
Characteristics required of PPE selected:
- Men's Safety Boots and Shoes are manufactured to BS EN 345 with 200 joule Toe-caps, and in the case of Boots, a protected Mid-sole.
- Lady's Safety Shoes are required to conform to BS 4972, with 80 joule Toecaps.
- All shoes and boots should also be required to be oil / acid / alkali / solvent / and petrol-resistant.
- For working in wet conditions, Wellington Boots to BS 1870 Part 3 should be used.
Body Protection
Risks:
Wet/Cold Conditions:
- Jackets
- Trousers
- Sweatshirt
- Coveralls
Waterproof Wet Weather Clothing must also be provided, as required.
All PPE must be provided free of charge to the user.
All PPE issue must be recorded.