Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) serve to protect our senses and delicate body parts from the risks associated with workplace activities. Our senses of sight, hearing, and touch are vitally important to us in our everyday life yet are so fragile in the face of a hazardous and fast paced construction environment. With such an extensive list of potential risks and hazards that may present themselves to us, it's tremendously important that the health and wellbeing of ourselves and those around us are the primary consideration when carrying out construction works. As such, a vast array of PPE has been developed and adapted over time with the intention of reducing the frequency of injuries on site.
Here we shall look at all the primary types of PPE that are available to us as operatives in the construction industry. We will look closely at each type, how they should be used, the advantages and disadvantages of each type, as well as the practical applications of their use.
As a quick aside before looking at these types of PPE, here are a few health and safety equipment related acronyms that are commonly used in health and safety documentation. These acronyms are industry (UK) recognised.
● PPE - Personal Protective Equipment
● CPE/M - Collective Protective Equipment/Measures
● RPE - Respiratory Protective Equipment
● LEV - Local Exhaust Ventilation
Ear defenders
Ear defenders come in a handful of different styles, but all serve to protect the user's sense of hearing. They work by plugging or covering the ear canal of the user and preventing violent “loud” sound waves from damaging the eardrum. Some advanced types of ear defenders work in conjunction with electronic sound reduction technology to reduce perceived noise even further. Some electronic types also come with built-in audio technology for listening to music or communicating with other operatives wearing the same system.
The most common types of ear protection include over ear “earmuff” style ear defenders, as well as in-ear plugs. Most reputable ear protection manufacturers also manufacture clip-on ear defenders that can be fixed onto compatible hard hats, allowing the user to effectively wear both in conjunction with one another.
Most modern in-ear wireless earbuds also feature noise cancelling technology, and so whilst not necessarily health and safety rated, functionally serve the same purpose as most other ear defenders. At the end of the day, it's down to the discretion of the user as to when and what style of protection should be used.
Protective eyewear
Protective goggles and glasses are forms of eye protection that are worn on the user's face to shield and protect the delicate eyes from flying debris. Safety glasses are often more lightweight than protective goggles and are a very affordable choice in terms of eye protection. Whilst primarily made of clear plastic or safety glass, tinted varieties are available that double as sunglasses when working in bright environments. When carrying out prolonged lightweight operations that require the use of eye protection, safety glasses are a more comfortable choice over goggles or face shields, due to the low relative weight. Safety glasses also tend not to fog up so frequently when the user sweats - one of the primary downsides to all forms of eye protection. Whilst safety glasses are a good choice for most basic applications, the main disadvantage over other forms of eye protection such as goggles and face shields are the lack of a full facial seal around the eyes. Gusts of wind can blow dust or chips into the eyes, as well as flying debris also finding their way into the eye through the gap between the glasses and the user's face.
During activities where a lot of flying debris is created, such as grinding or using power tools, safety goggles are a more appropriate choice. Safety goggles are designed to fit in a formed fashion against the user's face, resulting in a full seal around the eyes. This adds an extra layer of protection above regular safety glasses, though suffers with the drawback of regularly fogging up due to the lack of ventilation. This is often exacerbated by the fact that whilst performing carpentry tasks the user will most likely be hot and sweaty. It’s important to wear some form of eye protection when using most power tools, due to the high-speed byproducts that most power tools create.
Face shield
Face shields are another form of eye/facial protection that are not particularly practical on site for general carpentry tasks but have a crucial role in the workshop. When operating workshop machines such as lathes or table saws, the high-speed material waste that is produced can cause a serious hazard to the operative if correct PPE is not worn. Face shields allow for full coverage of the face whilst using these machines, without sacrificing visibility. Modern face shields are available on the market that are worn more like a helmet, and come with built-in respiratory protection, and ventilation. These helmets are extremely effective pieces of protective equipment when working with irritable or toxic timber products in the workshop.
Gloves
Gloves come in many sizes and materials, with a broad selection available providing an appropriate style for any task. In general construction the most common style used is a synthetic fabric glove with latex dipped palms for additional protection and grip. These styles of gloves are very appropriate for protecting the operative's hand from rough surfaces and minor splinters, though they are not puncture resistant. Gloves should be worn when handling rough timbers, lifting steels, and most other operations that pose a risk to the operatives’ hands.
Larger sites typically mandate the use of gloves during general operations in an effort to reduce the risk of injury from handling materials. Gloves are a fantastic piece of protective equipment when used appropriately, though they do reduce the sense of feel during finer operations.
Gloves do also pose a risk to safety when using power tools, as they can become a snag which can lead to injury as opposed to preventing it. Other styles of gloves are available as well for use in different applications, such as thicker leather or woven gloves for use in handling rougher materials such as logs or brambles, cut resistant gloves for use with power tools, or heat-resistant gloves for use in welding, to name a few.
Steel toe cap footwear
Protective footwear is an absolute must when carrying out any construction related operation and is non-negotiable when working on larger sites. Available in the form of both boots and trainers, safety footwear comprises a steel toe cap in the front that is extremely effective at resisting compressive loads. Some more premium forms of safety footwear also include a steel plate in the sole that protects the operative from puncture injuries caused by standing on nails or other sharp objects.
The most common type of safety footwear is the boot, which comes in a variety of different styles. Most of these include a deep grip pattern on the soles for better traction on a range of surfaces.
High visibility clothing
High visibility clothing comes in a variety of garments, all with the intention of making the operative more visible within the working area, most importantly to plant operators. Typical colours for high visibility clothing include luminous pink, green, yellow, and orange. Most of these types of clothing also come with silver reflective strips over them, increasing visibility furthermore. Most large sites mandate the use of high visibility vests, and nearly all merchants and builders’ yards also require the use of one whilst on the premises.
It’s extremely important for operatives to make themselves more visible whilst working, especially around heavy plant, as the operatives controlling the machines often have reduced visibility. The intention of the luminous colours is to make the wearer very discernible from their background, a reason of importance that is amplified when working in lower levels of light, such as at night.
Clothing that serves other purposes such as raincoats or waterproof trousers can also be found in a hi viz layout, which is very effective for use in groundworks or outside work in general. A high visibility jumper or a hoodie is a great choice of clothing for most trades as the colder months set in.
Respiratory Masks
Face masks are a type of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) that protect the user from the inhalation of fine particulates or vapours. With the many sources and types of dust and vapours that are created because of the process of construction, it's crucial to wear a mask when required. Standardised throughout the European Union and the UK, respiratory masks fall into 3 separate FFP (Filtering Facepiece) categories - FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3 respectively.
FFP1 masks are the least protective of the FFP classifications and are only appropriate for use in the prevention of the inhalation of nontoxic, non-carcinogenic particulates. The reputable PPE manufacturer “3M” states that their FFP1 face masks protect users from up to 10x the workplace exposure limit (WEL) for particulates. They also state on their website that the intended use for FFP1 masks is light hand sanding of nontoxic materials.
FFP2 masks are the minimum class requirement for most construction related tasks, namely sanding, drilling, cutting, and grinding, when working with toxic materials such as cement, manufactured timber, paint, varnish, and steel. FFP2 masks are affordable, disposable, and typically lightweight in construction, ordinarily being made from layered cloth filters. They often feature a metal tab across the bridge of the nose that is intended to be pinched tight to create a full seal around the wearer's face. These masks are perfect in practicality for most projects that we tackle in construction. More comfortable non-disposable FFP2 masks can be purchased from most PPE retailers. These masks are often rubber or silicone based and form a better seal for prolonged usage. They typically feature replaceable filters that are to be switched out at regular intervals stated by the manufacturer.
FFP3 masks provide the highest level of filtration for ordinary usage. These masks are capable of filtering extremely fine particulates as well as vapours and airborne liquids. They should be worn in the presence of chemicals and solvents that give off vapours. These masks are also rated to prevent the inhalation of viruses, bacteria and fungal spores, deeming them worthy of usage in medical practices as well as dangerous environmental situations. As such, this rating of mask is a must in the removal of asbestos, as well as lath and plaster, due to the fine, carcinogenic particulates, and potential pathogens.
Harnesses
Harnesses are a form of PPE intended for the safety and security of operatives working at height, as well as the prevention of serious injury in the event of a fall. When working at extreme height, or when carrying out tasks in conditions unsuitable for alternative forms of access equipment, purpose made suspension harnesses allow operatives to perform their duties safely.
Standard fall protection harnesses are required to be used when carrying out tasks at height beyond the safety of other access equipment. For example, when working on a roof without a full scaffold, or when leaving an area of scaffold at height, a harness should be worn and tethered to a solid anchor point. It’s important to note that these basic forms of fall protection are not intended for use where the operative is at a legitimate risk of falling, such as reaching out over ledges or working directly above a drop. Purpose designed “Positioning harnesses” provide a greater security against injury from falling when working in situations directly above a long fall. These harnesses provide stability and assurance to the operative wearing it and allow for comfortable two-handed operation.
Suspension or seat harnesses are specifically designed for the prolonged suspension of an operative working at height, often in difficult to reach places. Scenarios where this setup would be used generally involved being suspended over the edge of a building to reach inaccessible areas.
The basic types of harnesses are connected to a tether point with a “lanyard”, a safety rated tensile material with some form of hook or carabiner on each end. Whilst these safety harnesses serve to protect operatives from falling long distances, a fall with a harness may still result in an injury, either due to the sudden stop when the lanyard comes under tension, or by swinging into something. Needless to say, these injuries pale in comparison to hitting the floor, regardless of what height the fall is from.
Chainsaw clothing
Chainsaw clothing, consisting mainly of trousers, gloves, jackets, and boots, are a form of protective clothing designed to prevent/minimise injury from chainsaw related accidents. The clothes are designed with a fibrous material woven in between the outer and inner layers of the garments. In the event of contact with moving chainsaw teeth, the fibrous material erupts from the clothing and binds the chain of the saw to stop it from moving. Whilst this can create a bit of a mess and generally requires the replacement of the chain of the saw, this outcome is far more desirable than potential injuries that could be sustained otherwise.
Knee pads
Knee pads are a fantastic piece of protective equipment that are designed to cushion the wearers knees during operations carried out when kneeling. Floor layers, roofers, and most trades to some extent spend a large amount of time kneeling and working in a crouched position. Extended periods of time spent on one's knees can result in numerous mobility issues, and generally speaking is not recommended. Good quality knee pads can provide a very comfortable amount of padding to protect the user's knees from the hard ground. An additional problem that workers can suffer from stems from prolonged exposure to cold rising from the floor into the knees. This can result in knee effusion or osteoarthritis, both of which are undesirable. Knee pads provide an insulative layer against this issue.
Knee pads can be purchased with soft outer layers for use on finished floor surfaces, as well as with hard outer shells for more rugged use, such as kneeling on roof tiles.
Some styles of workwear trousers feature pockets on the front of the knees to receive padded inserts. These inserts act as integrated knee pads within the safety trousers.
Another clever development that has recently entered the market is rolling knee pads. This design is a small trolley that rolls on wheels, with integrated knee pads and a support for the user to bear weight onto. The user can comfortably kneel in this supported position, with the wheels of the trolley providing smooth mobility in all directions. This design is primarily intended for use in floor laying applications.
Hard Hat
Hard hats are a very important piece of PPE that is mandated for use at all times on construction sites. They are made from a plastic/composite material with an internal liner that keeps the hat suspended off the user's head. This ensures that an impact sustained by the hat will be reduced as much as possible before the energy is exerted on the user. Hard hats have a recommended usable life; a period from its creation to a set expiry date, under the assumption that they are cared for properly. Hard hats must be stored correctly in a clean and suitable environment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, to prolong the effective life of the hat. They must also be regularly cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, typically just with water and a cloth. They must also be immediately replaced in the occurrence of an impact, even if there is no noticeable damage to the helmet. Storage of the helmet in direct sunlight or in freezing temperatures can cause internal structural damage to the hat. Additionally, applying paint or stickers to the hat can lead to potential chemical attack of the material, leading to structural weaknesses.
All of this is due to the structural integrity of the material that the helmet is made of, with the influence of an impact, solvent cleaners, or improper storage potentially disrupting the calculated strength of the hat. Due to the risk of injury from items falling or low hanging objects on site, a hard hat should be always worn. Accessories for hardhats include safety face wear attachments as well as clip-on ear defender attachments, allowing for the use of other PPE components in conjunction with the use of a hard hat.
Some hard hats are rated for electrical protection up to a certain specified voltage.
According to Centurion - a reputable hard hat manufacturer, hard hats can have an effective lifespan of up to 5 years provided they are taken care of.
Different colour hard hats can also denote different professions or levels of authority on larger sites.