PPE as a preventive action technique.
The use of PPE, as we have seen previously, is a technique that aims to protect the worker against external attacks, whether physical, chemical or biological, that may occur in the performance of work activity.
This technique constitutes the last link in the preventive chain between man and risk, resulting in its application as a complementary security technique to the collective one, never as a substitute technique for it, as specified in article 15 of Law 31. /1995, relating to the principles of preventive action:
– Avoid risks.
- Evaluate risks that can not be avoided.
- Combat the risks at source.
– Adapt work to the person, in particular with regard to the design of jobs, as well as the choice of equipment and work and production methods, with a view in particular to mitigating monotonous work and repetitive and reduce its effects on health.
- Take into account the evolution of technology.
– Replace what is dangerous with what entails little or no danger.
– Plan prevention, seeking a coherent set that integrates technique, work organization, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of environmental factors at work.
– Adopt measures that put collective protection before individual protection.
- Giving appropriate instructions to workers.
A PPE is the last resort in the chain of prevention.
Requirements regarding personal protective equipment
Conditions that PPE must meet
According to article number 5 of Royal Decree 773/1997 on minimum health and safety provisions relating to the use by workers of personal protective equipment, in summary, PPE must provide effective protection, must respond to the existing conditions in the workplace (if I work with welding, for example, gloves that only protect against abrasions or cuts are of no use), they must take into account the anatomical, physiological conditions and health status of the worker.
In short, they must adapt to the job and the worker
Choice of PPE
According to article number 6 of Royal Decree 773/1997, the first thing is to analyze and evaluate the existing risks (connection with the principles of preventive action), define the characteristics that the PPE must have to guarantee its function, compare the existing equipment in the market in search of those that best fit the needs in each case. The PPE will be chosen based on the result of the previous considerations.
Use and maintenance of PPE
According to article number 7 of Royal Decree 773/1997, PPE must be stored, maintained, cleaned and disinfected when appropriate. PPE is, in principle, intended to be used by a single user. In the event that PPE must be shared because circumstances so require, measures will be adopted so that problems do not arise for the health or hygiene of the different users.
Obligations derived from the use of Personal Protective Equipment.
General obligations of the employer
According to article number 3 of Royal Decree 773/1997, the employer must provide the necessary PPE to its workers free of charge, ensure its use, ensure maintenance, determine which jobs require PPE and provide information on said PPE to the worker.
General obligations of the worker
According to article number 10 of Royal Decree 773/1997, the worker must correctly use, care for and store the PPE assigned to him, as well as inform his immediate superior of any defects, anomalies or damage to the equipment.
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