Toolbox Talk 040 - Wearing and Caring for your PPE

COMPANY POLICY

Minimum PPE is as follows;
• Safety Footwear,
• Hard Hat with Cilantro Company Logo,
• Hi Visibility Vest / Coat with Cilantro Company Logo
• Gloves, and
• Safety Glasses

The above list is the minimum Cilantro PPE requirement which MUST be adhered to at all times while on site.

Wearing & Caring for your PPE

Personal Protective Equipment is intended to protect you from risks, which cannot be eliminated or guarded against by other more effective means. Your employer must assess the work you do and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or reduce risks as per the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

1. You have a duty to wear all PPE provided by your employer at all times while on site, except when you are in a designated PPE FREE ZONE. FAILURE TO WEAR FULL PPE WILL RESULT IN YOU BEING ISSUED A YELLOW CARD.
2. You must wear and use the PPE in the way it was intended – therefore it must fit you. If it doesn’t fit report it.
3. PPE must be suitable for the risk and the job in hand – if it’s not – report it.
4. PPE must not itself create a new risk – if it does – report it.
5. You have a duty to take care of the PPE and not to abuse it.
6. If you are unsure about how to use PPE (e.g. breathing apparatus) ask for training first. You must be adequately trained.
8. If there is anything wrong with the PPE provided e.g. worn out, broken, missing, In need of maintenance or cleaning etc. you must report it.

If there is a problem with your PPE or a risk that need guarding against TELL US ABOUT IT!

The Importance of Wearing your PPE

Personal Protective Equipment is intended to protect you from risks which cannot be eliminated orguarded against by any other means. It is designed to protect you alone from any dangers within your work area; it will not protect others around you!

Protective Footwear (Lace up safety boots with ankle protection and mid-sole) - Must have a steel top cap and a protective sole. It is the worker’s responsibility to keep personal safety footwear in good repair. For example, exposed metal toecaps could be hazardous near electricity. Keep laces tied up at all times to avoid snagging or tripping.

Head protection - When entering a construction site, workers must wear an approved hard hat. When using a hard hat; keep it clean, never graffiti your hard hat with paint or marker – it may cover up damage on the hat. Inspect it regularly, don’t use solvents to clean it. Don’t use if the plastic has been cracked or broken. You must wear your hard hat at all times, you never know when something else may fail in your work area and fall on you.

Hi-Vis Vests - Are worn to keep workers visible at all times while on site in all levels of light. You must never alter your vest by cutting or writing on it. High-visibility safety clothing should be replaced when it becomes faded, torn, dirty, soiled, worn, or defaced.

Safety Glasses - Provide minimum protection and are for general working conditions where dust, chips, or flying particles may present a hazard. If you are carrying out more specialised or high risk works then safety goggles or a face shield may be required.

Safety Gloves (Minimum Cut 3) - Wearing gloves while working on site will protect your hands from any hazards you may be subjected to during the course of the working day, this may include; cuts, scrapes, chemical burns and dermatitis. Your gloves must be kept in good order at all times and changed for a new pair when torn or damaged in any way.

PPE must be worn and taken care of at all times. A total disregard to not wearing mandatory PPE will result in disciplinary action taken;