Personal Protective Equipment Operating Standards - 1 -
Table of Contents 1. Background... 3 2. Aim/Purpose... 3 3. Definitions and an Explanation of Terms Used... 3 4. Full Details... 3 4.1 Hazard Assessment for PPE... 3 4.2 Selection of PPE... 4 4.2.1 Standard of PPE... 4 4.2.2 Equipment issue... 5 4.2.3 Standard Equipment... 5 4.2.4 Specific Equipment... 5 4.3 Storage and transport... 6 4.4 Training... 6 4.5 Inspection and maintenance... 7 4.6 PPE replacement... 7 4.7 Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Face Fit Testing... 8 4.8 Incident Reporting:... 9 4.9 Records... 9 5. Support and Additional Contacts... 9 6. Responsibilities...9-2 -
These Operating Standards are mandatory for all staff and managers to follow. 1. Background The organisation is aware of its responsibilities in the issuing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in relation to the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 (as amended). PPE should only be used as a last resort, where a risk cannot be controlled by other methods and that adequate and suitable risk assessments are carried out under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999. 2. Aim/Purpose The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for health and safety. The aim of these Operating Standards are: To ensure that where a risk assessment requires the use of PPE that the appropriate PPE is issued for use to all Derbyshire Community Health Services (DCHS) employees, and that this PPE is assessed to ensure suitability. To outline DCHS responsibilities and to inform managers and employees of the duties required in order to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended). 3. Definitions and an Explanation of Terms Used PPE in relation to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 means all equipment, which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects them against one or more risks to their health and safety. The Operating Standards will cover all forms of PPE, which includes, hearing, face, eye, head protection, gloves, aprons, specialist clothing (not uniforms), protective footwear, respirators and specialist equipment such as harnesses and fall arrest equipment. 4. Full Details 4.1 Hazard Assessment for PPE When carrying out a risk assessment of a task, the assessors will assess the need for PPE in conjunction with Managers and Supervisors. Any PPE required to carry out the task safely will be stated on the safe system of work. PPE assessments will be undertaken on a departmental basis and executed by a trained risk assessor, any other employee or other person who, by virtue of their specialised skills or particular competence, may contribute to the suitability and sufficiency of the risk assessments and any Safety Representative who represents the employees within the department or area of work where a risk assessment is being undertaken. - 3 -
In conducting risk assessments, it is the responsibility of the assessor to recognise that some staff may have speech/hearing impairment, learning disability or other permanent or temporary cognitive impairment or staff for whom English is not their first language may need the assessor to make relevant adjustments and /or give additional time/effort to ensure that appropriate communication and assessment can take place. This responsibility will entail taking such practical steps as are necessary to meet the individual s needs as far as possible. Once the hazards of a workplace have been identified, the manager will determine if the hazards can first be eliminated or reduced by methods other than PPE, ie, methods that do not rely on employee behaviour, such as task elimination, task redesign and engineering controls. If such methods are not adequate or feasible, then the assessor/manager will determine the suitability of the PPE presently available; and as necessary, will select new or additional equipment which ensures a level of protection greater than the minimum required to protect members of staff from any hazard. Care must be taken to recognize the possibility of multiple and simultaneous exposure to a variety of hazards. Adequate protection against the highest level of each of the hazards must be recommended. The assessment will be updated when: the job changes new equipment or process is installed there has been an accident whenever a supervisor or employee requests it or at least every year Any new PPE requirements that are identified will be added into the safe system of work. 4.2 Selection of PPE When selecting PPE you need to bare in mind the following: 4.2.1 Standard of PPE Without exception, all PPE must comply with British Standards (BS) or European Norms (EN) to ensure it meets the required standard of safety. Compliance with these standards is normally indicated by items being marked CE ; the organisation will not purchase or allow to be used any item of PPE that does not carry this marking. Where PPE is provided and used by contractors, the Trust reserves the right to request information on any item of PPE in use and/or inspect items to ensure that they meet the required standard. Affected employees whose jobs require the use of PPE will be informed of the PPE selection and will be provided PPE by the organisation at no charge. - 4 -
Careful consideration must be given to the comfort and proper fit of PPE in order to ensure that the right size is selected and that it will be used. 4.2.2 Equipment issue The Estates and Hotel Services Departments have a standard PPE issue for all members of staff who regularly work outside the office environment. This standard equipment will be issued upon commencement of employment within the departments and will be available for use whenever necessary. The manager will formally agree to the issue of all PPE and protective clothing. The members of staff issued with PPE and protective clothing (excluding disposable items) will sign a PPE Issue form, to confirm the issue and the receipt of an adequate briefing to achieve the training objectives described in section 4.4 The manager will keep a copy of the form for future reference in the member of staff s personal file. 4.2.3 Standard Equipment All estates personnel engaged in maintenance works will receive a standard issue of PPE as follows: Foot Protection - BS EN 345 Protective Footwear (Boots or Shoes with steel toecaps/non-rubber or plastics) Head Protection - BS EN 397 Safety Helmets (Peaked) Hand Protection - BS 1651 Work Gloves (Riggers)- BS 1651 Protective Gloves (For protection against oils etc) Face/Eye Protection - BS EN 166S Safety Goggles/Face Masks (Protection from dust, liquid droplets and molten metal) Respiration Protection - BS EN 149 FFP2S Dust Masks 4.2.4 Specific Equipment The risk assessment for specific tasks may identify additional, or alternative, PPE or clothing. This would be separately issued to the individuals affected, by the Manager or Supervisor. The PPE will be selected from the suppliers catalogues or from other Organisation procurement routes. The selection process shall ensure that the proposed equipment provides the necessary protection from the hazards, and that the new PPE is compatible with other PPE, other clothing, work equipment, the working environment and the individuals concerned. Specific PPE will consist of either: Standard PPE issued to a person who would not normally be issued with PPE ie non-clinical person wearing gloves and apron. or Non-standard PPE required for specific tasks which would be issued for the duration of the tasks ie FP3 mask for influenza outbreak. Non-standard PPE is listed below - 5 -
Foot Protection - BS EN 346 Protective Footwear (Rubber Boots with steel toe-caps) Head Protection - BS EN 397 Safety Helmets (With no peak, for surveying work)- BS EN 812 Bump Caps Hearing Protection - BS EN 352 Ear Muffs (With Head Band)- BS EN 352 Ear Plugs (Moulded and Disposable) Hand Protection - BS EN 374 Protective Gloves (Chemicals and Microorganisms)- BS EN 464 Protective Gloves (Liquid and Gaseous Chemicals) Vehicular Protection - BS EN 471 Class 2 High Visibility Jackets & Work Vests BS EN 471 Class 1 High Visibility Jackets & Work Vests Eye Protection - BS EN 166S Safety spectacles for dust protection only, BS EN 166F (Grade 2) Safety spectacles, safety goggles and face shields for impacts up to 45m/s (low energy), BS EN 166B (Grade 1) Safety spectacles, safety goggles and face shields for impacts up to 120m/s (high energy) Fall Protection - BS EN 361 Full Body Harnesses Body Protection - Cold Weather Clothing - Overalls- Water-proof Trousers Respiratory Protection - Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) as required by COSHH Assessments or where lead or asbestos is potentially present in the air Leg Protection EN 381-5 Kevlar reinforced trousers for use when using chain saws and hedge cutters. When specifying Personal Protective Equipment, be specific as to the type. Avoid expressions such as wear gloves when a wide variety is available. 4.3 Storage and transport All personal protective clothing and equipment will be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed and will be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition. When the decision is made that PPE is necessary to protect members of staff from risks to their health or safety, the Manager should also consider the methods of storage and the location of storage. In most instances this would be the provision of personal lockers, suitable storage facility in desks and/or storage racks or hooks. Members of staff who travel to the place of work where they will be required to wear the PPE provided, should also be provided with some means of transporting the equipment, such as a hold-all. Whatever storage facilities are provided, they should be such that the PPE is not damaged or deteriorated by the storage or transport. 4.4 Training Any member of staff required to wear PPE will receive training in the proper use and care of PPE before being allowed to perform work requiring the use - 6 -
of PPE. Periodic retraining will be offered to PPE users as needed. All training provided must be recorded on the staff personnel file (ESR). Training will include: Nature of the hazards from which the PPE provides protection Source of the hazards Effects of exposure to the hazards The way that the PPE functions The correct way to wear/use the PPE How to properly put on/take off and adjust the PPE Limitations of the PPE (Where and where not to rely on the PPE) Requirements for inspection, maintenance, storage & replacement frequencies and disposal of the PPE Person to whom loss or defects should be reported. After the training, the employees will demonstrate that they understand how to use PPE properly, or they will be retrained. Most of the above information will be obtained from the Manufacturers Instructions. The person delivering the training should be trained in the above requirements, and in instructional techniques, prior to providing briefings to the recipients of the PPE. It is dangerous to assume knowledge. Make sure that all members of staff are properly trained. 4.5 Inspection and maintenance It is important that all PPE be kept clean and properly maintained. Cleaning is particularly important for eye and face protection where dirty or fogged lenses could impair vision. All members of staff must inspect, clean, and maintain their PPE according to the manufacturers instructions before and after each use. Managers will ensure that all members of staff are given a copy of the manufacturers cleaning and maintenance procedures when PPE is issued. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that users properly maintain their PPE in good condition. Any defects of PPE must be reported immediately to the line manager who will arrange replacement at no charge to the individual. It should be noted however, that employees who demonstrate a careless attitude to the use, inspection or maintenance of PPE may be subject to the disciplinary procedure. Personal protective equipment must not be shared between employees until it has been properly cleaned and sanitized. PPE will be distributed for individual use whenever possible. - 7 -
Certain PPE is subject to specific statutory inspections or thorough examinations. These examinations will be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations. 4.6 PPE replacement Managers must decide on the effective life of the PPE and clothing and manage the replacement. This decision would be based on the manufacturers recommendations and the methods of usage. The manager will maintain a record of inspections and thorough examinations. The following periods may be used for guidance purposes. Protective Footwear for persons who work externally in excess of 25% of their total working time - 1 Year Safety Helmets for persons who work externally in excess of 25% of their total working time - 1 Year Safety Helmets for persons who occasionally work externally - 3 Years Helmet Mounted Ear Muffs for persons who work externally in excess of 25% of their total working time - 1 Year Helmet Mounted Ear Muffs for persons who occasionally work externally - 3 Years High Visibility Clothing for persons who work externally in excess of 25% of their total working time - 2 Years or specified number of washes. Note: Canisters for respirators have a finite shelf life and checks should be made on their expiry date before issue. For the same reason, stocks of respirator cartridges should be kept to a minimum. All other PPE and clothing may be used for an indefinite period, until the user s inspection causes the item to be declared defective. The above timings for replacement are maximum periods and should not preclude any replacement required due to defects or loss. 4.7 Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Face Fit Testing If required by a COSHH/Infection Control assessment or where exposure to fume or dust is not adequately controlled by other means or whenever working on asbestos containing materials, suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) must be provided. If RPE is to be used it is vital that selected RPE is adequate and suitable for the purpose. RPE must reduce exposure to as low as reasonably practicable, and in any case to an acceptable level (eg below the control limits as specified in EH 40). To make sure that the selected RPE has the potential to provide adequate protection for individual wearers, fit testing of RPE, which incorporate a tight fitting face-piece, is required. This will help to ensure that inadequately fitting face-pieces are not selected for use. Tight fitting face-pieces include full-face masks, half face masks and filtering face-pieces (commonly referred to as a disposable mask). The performance of the face-piece, including those that are used in negative pressure respirators, power assisted respirators or - 8 -
compressed air supplied breathing apparatus, relies heavily on the quality of fit of the face-piece to the wearer s face. The face fit testing should be performed by a competent person and confirm the fit of a particular mask type to the person, using a quantitative method. The results of the test should be presented in the form of a certificate of test which is specific to the mask type and the individual. Any alternative masks that may be used by the individual would require a further face fit test. Any significant change in the individual s face shape due to weight gain/loss, skin lesions, facial hair, etc should require the face fit test to be repeated. The RPE Face Fit Test Register should be maintained for all personnel required to wear RPE that requires a tight fit to the face. 4.8 Incident Reporting Adverse reactions relating to defective or the use of PPE eg latex glove allergies or sensitivities, should also be reported, eg to Occupational Health Services and the Staff Health & Safety Team. 4.9 Records Written records will be kept of the following: Risk assessments detailing the need for PPE Assessments carried out to establish the type of PPE needed Provision of training Information given to employees Any complaint relating to a piece of PPE Manufacturer s instructions and guidance Maintenance and inspection of PPE (other than user checks prior to use) PPE given as personal issue Replacement of PPE (with dates) Any exceptions made to the issuing policy outlined above. 5. Support and Additional Contacts Staff Health & Safety Team: ian.cromarty@nhs.net, kathy.hoult@nhs.net, tsanders@nhs.net Occupational Health Department, Walton Hospital, Tel: 01246 515 696 6. Responsibilities Refer to the Trust Health and Safety Policy for additional responsibilities on the intranet. - 9 -