Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selecting and using PPE Are we selecting to protect the workers or ourselves? Derek Miller LFOH, MNZOHS NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 Disclaimer Any mention of a supplier or manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not an endorsement of their products. They are only mentioned for illustrative purposes NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

“I cannot teach anybody anything I can only make them think” Socrates NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 What is PPE Should satisfy two criteria: Worn on any part of the body or held by a person at work, and It is designed to protect that person against one or more health and or/safety hazards This also includes protective outfits which combines several devices. e.g. an ensemble made up of respiratory protective equipment, gloves and a coverall with integrated foot protection. Now includes clothing used to minimise risks to a persons health and safety NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Why do employers and health and safety professionals get it wrong? Blind believe in safety data sheets (SDS) No research Lack of knowledge about nature of contaminant or hazard Company penny pinching Poor advice from sales person Good advice from sales people and others ignored Not knowing where to look for good advice No PPE programme or training When selected it is not used as uncomfortable Over belief in ones own knowledge NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 What is suitable PPE? It is suitable if it: Is adequate against the hazard Is matched to the worker Is matched to the task/process Is matched to the workplace conditions Is matched to the environmental conditions Is worn with minimum impediment DOES NOT create additional risks NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Examples of PPE on sites NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Overalls Case – Dust and Styrene NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Are shorts adequate PPE? NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 Gloves Case – suitable? NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Overprotection – Easiest selection method! We are seeing increases in cases of overprotection Company’s SMS policy or safety departments are insisting on staff wearing a higher level of PPE than required New trend seen since introduction of new legislation Knee jerk reaction to a recent trend in a type of injury e.g. cuts on hands Need to look at why it is happening before increasing PPE level Often done without understanding the increased risks in other areas of health e.g. heat stress, missing safety alarms, worker isolation etc NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Why this trend to the wrong PPE protection Lack of understanding of subject Reacting to a trend Not carrying out proper risk assessment process See a nice shiny or different piece of PPE at a show Worrying about new legislation requirements on PPE Confusion of technical information from manufacturers Sold the best profit item for company not what was best for client NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 Selecting PPE Hazard Form of hazard Dust, vapour, sharp, abrasive, etc Wear and tear (how will it be used) Immersion or splash (how will it used- process/task) Size Ease of maintenance Correct level/grade/class User friendly (will it be used) NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Pest controllers skin absorption rates - Personal habits? Absorption rates for formulated pesticides are low for wettable powders, dusts and granules but higher for liquid thus the biggest risk. The main hazard comes from mixing the formulations as people are working with the concentrated pesticide that contain a high percentage of the active ingredients. Cuts/scratches etc to the body can increase the absorption of a pesticide and it is easy to transfer pesticides on hands etc to other parts of the body. E.g. inadvertently wiping a hand over the forehead would increase the risk of pesticide poisoning. In some cases the risk of absorption of a pesticide through the skin is more dangerous than through swallowing it. Reproduced from www.agf.gov.bc.ca NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Other work related factors High or low humidity Wind Excessive temperature Other PPE worn NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Selecting PPE – Training considerations Training – Initial and refresher required Training when new or updated item introduced Life spans of PPE (e.g. gloves degradation and breakthrough times) Life span of filters Change procedure (e.g. one for one exchange) Cleaning Servicing Storing NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

Record keeping good practice Item Supervisor User Recording Actions Head Protection Monthly check Pre-use check each time used Document monthly checks Eye Protection Footwear Not applicable Reusable gloves Protective Clothing Hearing Protectors Respirators Filters As per local guidance NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 Remember PPE that is: correctly selected Easy to use and well maintained is capable of providing effective protection Incorrectly selected may give little or no protection and may increase other health risks to the workers PPE which provides little or no protection is a waste of money and time DO NOT OVER or UNDER PROTECT NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017

NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017 “Life is full of questions Idiots are full of answers” attributed to Socrates NZOHNA Conference 21 - 22 September 2017