PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is an important part of safety in the workplace that protects workers from accidents that cannot be always be removed or managed. But, PPE should always be thought of as the last line of defence. While it plays a major role in keeping members of staff safe, it's not a replacement for more effective measures such as damage control, engineering controls, substitution or administrative processes. We've taken a look at why PPE is the last form of defence in the hierarchy of controls.
1. The Hierarchy of Controls
Usually organised as a hierarchy of controls, workplace safety relies on a structured approach to managing risks. This framework prioritizes methods based on their effectiveness:
- Elimination: Removing all the hazard
- Engineering Controls: Isolating people from the hazard e.g using barriers or ventilation
- Substitution: Replacing hazardous materials or processes with safer alternatives
- Administrative Controls: Introducing policies and procedures to minimize exposure as well as training
- PPE: Wearing protective equipment to reduce the risk of injury or illness
PPE is at the bottom of this hierarchy because it doesn't eliminate the danger, it just acts as a shield between the worker and the hazard.
2. Limited Reliability
One main reason PPE is the last resort is its reliance on the workers correct usage. Unlike other controls, PPE requires workers to wear and maintain it correctly. Whether it’s forgetting to wear PPE, using broken equipment, or wearing it incorrectly can compromise its effectiveness.
Also, PPE does not guarantee the worker complete protection, i.e a face mask can't completely eliminate exposure of inhaling harmful particles in the air. Its effectiveness depends on factors like it fitting, the quality of the material and the conditions of use.
3. Protection Levels Vary
No single piece of PPE can guard against all hazards, items offer different levels of protection, i.e safety goggles can't protect you from breathing in harmful air, only your eyes, gloves can protect you hands from chemicals but not if you get a whole in one. So this means that workers may still face residual risks even when PPE is used.
4. Discomfort and Fatigue
Workers can become uncomfortable wearing PPE, especially for long periods of time, heavy equipment can cause them to feel tired, reduce their performance and lead to them taking shortcuts or using them incorrectly. They could remove their PPE due to the discomfort and exposing themselves to hazard risks.
5. Cost and Maintenance
The costs of PPE can add up, even though it may seem like an affordable option compared to other controls. It's important to regularly replace, maintain and ensure workers are trained are to ensure its effectiveness. So, over time, reliance on PPE without addressing the root causes of risks can become expensive and unsustainable.
The Role of PPE in Safety
PPE remains vital in scenarios where other controls are insufficient or impractical, despite these limitations. It provides an important layer of defence in emergencies, during maintenance tasks or when dealing with unpredictable hazards.
In saying that, for workplaces to ensure the safety of their workers PPE must be integrated into a wider safety plan. This includes regular training, rigorous risk assessments and proactive implementation of higher-level controls. Employers should communicate clearly to workers that PPE is not a standalone solution but a safeguard when other measures cannot fully eliminate hazards.
To round it up, while PPE is indispensable, its placement as the last line of defence strengthens the importance of adopting a proactive approach to workplace safety. By prioritizing higher order controls and viewing PPE as a supplementary measure, organizations can create safer, more sustainable working environments.