Personal Protective Equipment: Can It Really Prevent Accidents? Let's Discuss Examples

Friends,

Kindly list all the uses of personal protective equipment. Also, confirm whether personal protective equipment is used to prevent accidents or not. If PPE can prevent any type of accident, please mention examples too.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Hi Kesava Pillai,

Good topic again... Thanks in advance...

In my opinion, PPE is the last line of defense/means of protection. PPE alone cannot significantly help in accident prevention. However, by providing quality PPE, workers will feel mentally safe, resulting in safer and more efficient work, leading to higher production.

With regards,
Dipil Kumar V

Dear Dipil,

We have to ensure not just an opinion. Safety personnel are responsible for advising employees and management on whether a certain method, equipment, or plant is indeed safe. In most cases, safety must confirm that it is safe to work under certain conditions.

Kindly also address all the uses of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear Sir,

It's not just an opinion; we can't rely solely on PPEs. They are the last line of defense. They are secondary protection means.

As primary protection means, we should prioritize a good working platform, engineering controls, etc.

The use of PPEs is crucial. Firstly, it boosts the worker's confidence. Job-specific PPEs are necessary for almost all tasks.

For instance:
- Safety Goggles: Essential for cutting, grinding, welding, and chipping works to prevent eye damage.
- Hand Gloves: Vital for material handling, hot works, etc.
- Safety Footwear: Mandatory basic PPE for safety-conscious industries, offering specific protection against hazards.
- Safety Helmet: Another essential basic PPE for safety-conscious industries.
- Safety Harness: Compulsory for works above 2.00m in height, and more.

I hope my explanation about the importance of PPEs is clear. This discussion could further clarify it.

With regards,

Dipil

Dear Friends,

I seek definite answers to the two questions:

1. What are the uses of PPE?
2. Do PPE prevent accidents? If so, please name the PPE that prevents accidents and specify the type of accident it prevents.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear sir,

PPE is the last line of defense. They can't prevent accidents but can protect you from some accidents. I would like to share a presentation on PPE which will provide a list and its uses.

Hope you all will like it.

Regards,
Hansa

Dear Hansa,

Thank you for your response and the ppt. From the ppt, one question arises: Is there any air purifying respirator for H2S? It is mentioned in the presentation. If available, I would like to know which country has succeeded in making one, how many minutes it can be used for, and at what concentration.

Your answer "they can't prevent accidents" is well accepted. However, the statement "but can protect you from some accidents" is unwarranted. It gives an indication that you are still in doubt. The initial question remains unanswered. Kindly make an attempt to address that as well, please.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai
Seco

Dear Sir,

There is a company "3M" which is supplying air purifying respirators. We are using it for SO2 and Ammonia. I will let you know the contact number so that you can have full details regarding the same.

Regards, Hansa

Dear Hanza Vyas,

Thank you for the post. You need not bother. For H2S - escape, only type air-purifying respirators are available. That too is not dependable. As such, there is no air-purifying respirator for H2S to my knowledge.

I recently had a bitter experience with ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia. In their DHT project on excavating, H2S started filling up the area. The reading was quite high. Aramco insisted that up to 50 ppm, workers can work with a cartridge-type respirator and work need not be suspended. I had to openly shout at them that I will not be a party to killing workers, and the type is not designed for H2S. Finally, they agreed with me, and heavy mechanical ventilation was used to clear the area before the permit was issued.

Regards, Kesava Pillai

Dear Sir,

In your last post, you mentioned excavation with H2S generation. As a precaution, you have implemented heavy mechanical ventilation. Even after providing ventilation, if the H2S concentration is still above 50ppm, what is the next option? Should we abandon the job due to the lack of suitable PPE? What are the best engineering controls if H2S is detected in deep excavations rather than relying on PPE?

With regards,
Dipil

Dear Dipil,

It is not difficult. Normally, where there is water accumulation in the excavation, we will have a heavy concentration of H2S at the beginning. As we start dewatering, over time, the concentration gets reduced. Be patient and wait for a few hours while monitoring. Continuous gas testing using a 3-in-1 gas tester is also essential. If near the sea, early in the morning, gas levels will be higher. Watch for high and low tide. Since it is an excavation, usually purging will not be necessary. With proper ventilation, I can always bring the levels below 10 ppm, and with experience, we can manage any site. Never consider leaving the job. With the necessary knowledge, skill, and determination, we will be able to make any job safe.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear Friends,

I failed to mention the "Uses of PPE" for those who are interested in learning about safety seriously! Here are some important points to consider:

1. To provide protection against injuries
2. To provide protection against diseases
3. To protect products in industries such as pharmaceuticals and food
4. To protect against contamination
5. To provide protection against adverse weather conditions
6. To supply air/oxygen for breathing
7. To provide protection against dust and dirt
8. To offer comfort
9. To maintain modesty
10. To facilitate family planning

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear Sir,

Very interesting and useful information... But a few things are confusing me... Can you please explain how and which PPE will help in family planning? Also, to cover nakedness, should the PPE used be coverall or something else?

With regards,
Dipil Kumar V

Is there any standard, rule, or act that states safety harness is required at heights greater than 2 meters? Please send me this information urgently.

Dear Rivals 25,

There is no standard rule or act in which it is specifically written that a safety harness is needed at more than 2 meters height - not in this world.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai