Personal Protective Equipment and Safe Work Practices
PPE principles
Understand that PPE is the last line of defence in the hierarchy of control. Know the steps: hazard assessment, selection, fitting, training, use, maintenance, inspection and replacement. Learn the main types - head, eye/face, hearing, respiratory, hand, foot, body, fall protection - and the limits of each. Understand the difference between respirators (filtering) and breathing apparatus (supplied air), and the need for face-fit testing, clean-shaven seal, and cartridge change schedules. Know the limitations: PPE only protects the wearer, can fail, and depends on correct use.
Safe work practices
Learn permit-to-work systems (hot work, confined space, work at height, isolation/LOTO), lock-out/tag-out, tool and equipment inspection, housekeeping, manual handling, and safe isolation of energy. Understand the difference between a permit (authorisation) and a procedure (method).
Traps
- Treating PPE as a substitute for engineering control.
- Assuming any respirator fits any face; fit testing is required.
- Forgetting PPE maintenance, storage and replacement.
- Confusing permit-to-work with a risk assessment; the permit authorises, the assessment informs.
- Overlooking the need to isolate all energy sources (including stored energy) before maintenance.
Worked example / rule of thumb
A worker must enter a confined space. Controls: avoid entry if possible; if not, isolate, purge and test the atmosphere, use a permit, trained entrants and a standby person, rescue arrangements, and appropriate respiratory protection. Rule of thumb: test before entry, never trust the atmosphere, and never enter without a rescue plan.
Practical skills
Select PPE from a hazard assessment, explain fit testing and maintenance, and describe the permit-to-work and LOTO sequence.