Workplace safety training: new Dinamitek update

Dinamitek presents a new update on workplace safety

Let's get back to talking about workplace safety, considering what the obligations are and who is responsible for ensuring that every worker is adequately protected during the working day.
The obligation to provide adequate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) falls to the employer. The employer is also obligated to ensure that the entire workplace is safe and equipped with all appropriate safety systems to mitigate sources of risk. The employer is therefore responsible for safety, assesses risks, and implements appropriate procedures to eliminate or reduce them. PPE must therefore ensure the health and safety of workers with respect to residual hazards that remain after the employer has implemented all the collective protection systems necessary to make the workplace a safe environment. This is for a very simple reason: PPE does not affect hazards, but only their effects on people. Therefore, the first steps to be taken relate to the workplace, the procedures adopted, the machinery present, and the entire work environment.

Choosing the right PPE is never a simple task; it must be evaluated from a holistic perspective, as while it protects against one risk, it must not expose the wearer to other hazards. In general, PPE must protect, but not isolate, the wearer from the surrounding environment. It must be ergonomic, comfortable to wear, and easy to remove. The employer must also replace PPE when it becomes worn, and perform maintenance and repairs. Routine maintenance, such as cleaning, is the user's responsibility. However, the employer is required to provide training and refresher courses for workers who use PPE. Workers are also required to comply with fundamental safety obligations: they must not ignore any safety instructions, must follow procedures exactly as instructed, and must not tamper with PPE or other equipment in the workplace in any way. Only in this way will the employer be exempt from liability in the event of accidents or injuries.

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Depending on the tasks performed and the type of workplace, it will be necessary to individually protect:

• hair from getting caught or caught in flames, with a special washable cap
• the head due to material falling from above, contact with dangerous elements or prolonged exposure to the sun with appropriate headgear
• Protect your eyes from splinters and dangerous materials with suitable glasses, visors and screens
• protect your hands from punctures, cuts, abrasions or burns with specific gloves
• feet from burns, caustication, punctures or crushing with work shoes
• other parts of the body to be protected in specific situations with suitable means of defense such as shields, aprons, chest protectors, leggings or gaiters
• nose and mouth respiratory tract from inhaling gases, fumes and dust with masks and respirators

For those who work in situations where there is a risk of falling, it is necessary to wear safety belts or positioning belts.
Even professional clothing, in certain professions, is specifically designed for protection, such as welding clothing. Uniforms, however, do not constitute PPE.
Workplaces must also have emergency and rescue equipment. These are not PPE, even if they are used in specific cases.

How do you choose PPE?

The wide range of products available on the market varies in cost, level of protection, comfort, and weight. These are all factors that must be considered to make the right purchase. The choice is up to the employer, who is, however, required to consult with employee representatives.

PPE is classified based on its level of protection. For minimal risk, PPE is Category I; for maximum risk, Category III. This PPE protects against fatal hazards or hazards that cause irreversible damage to health. All other PPE is Category II. Category II and Category III PPE must be CE certified to comply with the regulations.

Category III includes chemical and biological risks, the danger of falling objects from above, low temperatures, electrical discharges, loud and constant noises, the presence of air contaminants (fumes, dust, and mists), the danger of fire, etc.

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This reflection aims to highlight in a simple and elementary way the regulatory situation regarding the adoption of PPE in the workplace.

For a guide to purchasing specific PPE, you can contact our customer service.

At safety school, remember to protect yourself when you work, with Dinamitek