Page 42 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

There are many types of RPE available, including:

● disposable face masks
● half dust respirators
● high-efficiency dust respirators
● ventilator visor or helmet respirators
● compressed air line breathing apparatus
● self-contained breathing apparatus.

Gloves
There are many instances in construction where the correct hand protection is
a necessity. The type of glove required depends on the type of work. Your hands
are vulnerable to a wide range of hazards, such as cuts, blows, chemical attack
and temperature extremes, making it vital you choose the right gloves.
● EN 388 is the classification for gloves designed to protect the hands against
mechanical risks associated with the handling of rough or sharp objects,
which could cut or graze. A mechanical hazard does not mean moving
p Figure 1.16 Gloves for
mechanical risk machinery.
● EN 407 – Protective gloves against thermal hazards: heat can be convected,
conducted or radiated, or it may be a naked flame. Cold can be anything
from cold water to freezing pipe gases.
● EN 374 – Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms: any
substance that would irritate, inflame or burn the skin is classed as a
chemical hazard. Some substances can cause the skin to become sensitive
over a period of time, while others have an immediate, painful effect. This
type of glove gives protection against chemical splashes and micro-organism
hazards. They are often recommended specifically by the COSHH
p Figure 1.17 Gloves for chemical
risk Regulations 2002.
● EN 12477 is the standard for protective gauntlets for welders.
● EN 421 – Protective gloves against ionising radiation and radioactive
contamination.

Hearing protection
The noise level at which employers must make a risk assessment and provide
information and training is 80 decibels. There is also an upper noise limit of 87
decibels (taking into account hearing protection), above which workers should
not be exposed. The British Standards for ear protection are:
● ear defenders BS EN 352–1:2002
● earplugs BS EN 352–2:2002
● ear defenders on safety helmet BS EN 352–3:2002
● level dependent ear defenders BS EN 352–4:2001
● active noise reduction ear defenders BS EN 352–5:2002
● ear defenders with electrical audio input BS EN 352–6:2002
● level dependent earplugs BS EN 352–7:2002.
The type of hearing protection you use will depend on the work you are doing.
p Figure 1.18 Ear defenders For very noisy situations or long-duration work, ear defenders would be the best
solution as they offer greater protection than earplugs.
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