Page 41 - PPE GUIDELINE

Guidelines on the Use of PPE Against Chemical Hazards
Comparison of characteristic of available personal protection equipment and the
required protection should also be part of the assessment of selecting the most suitable
equipment. When selecting personal equipment to be used for doing a job, the nature
of the job and the demands it places on the worker should be taken into account. An
assessment of the effectiveness of the equipment chosen should be made to ensure it
is providing the desired protection and is not creating any additional safety or health
problems. Personal protective equipment should be selected which will best protect
workers in the circumstances. In some cases use of personal protective equipment
may create a secondary risk not identified in the original assessment. These risks
should be evaluated.

4.1.2 Consultation with the supplier

The availability of personal protective equipment is extensive and the employer must
ensure the provision of equipment is suitable for the conditions and operations that
may exist whilst undertaking specific work activities. There is no singular form of
personal protective equipment that can be used universally for all types of hazards and
work conditions.

There are many different types of gloves, respiratory and body protection available on
the market. For example, there is no one type of glove that will provide hand
protection from all hazards. Selection of gloves and protective clothing that will
provide the appropriate level of protection is a complex task. Likewise, the selection
of respiratory protection is equally complex.

Therefore, should there be any doubts, it is important for the employers to consult the
experts/ manufacturers of personal protective equipment for advice pertaining to the
correct selection of personal protective equipment for specific application at their
workplaces.

4.1.3 Suitability of PPE

Selection of personal protective equipment should be based on the suitability of the
equipment to protect the wearer. The term suitable indicates:
e) Appropriate for the risks involved and conditions at the place where exposure
to the risk may occur;
f) Adequate protection is afforded without increasing the overall risk;
g) It takes into account ergonomics requirements and the state of health of the
user or wearer;
h) It is capable of fitting the wearer correctly;
i) It is design and manufactured according to a certain standard of quality.

The personal protective equipment should be selected for use if the risk or risks have
not been adequately controlled by engineering or other means, or where the use of
other means is not possible or practicable.

Department of Occupational Safety & Health, Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia ™October 2005 41