PPE Regulation update expected to be approved this year

The business standards company BSI has a good post explaining how an updated version of the PPE Regulation is expected to be approved before the end of 2015.

The existing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive 89/686/EEC is now over 26 years old and clearly needs overhauling. The proposed changes have been approved in draft form by the European Commission and Parliament. All we need to happen now is for the European Council to agree it.

The key changes, as listed by BSI are as follows:

• PPE Directive will be replaced by a Regulation
• A number of types of protection will move from category II (intermediate) to category III (complex)
• There will be a requirement to supply a declaration of conformity with every item of PPE that is placed on the market
• A five year certificate of validity is being suggested bringing the Regulation in line with similar European requirements such as the Medical Devices Directive

For more information please visit the BSI website.

Stop Think & React

This is the first of a number of articles scheduled for 2014 from members of the C&D team and is the work of new C&D member Brent Gill, currently working on site at Stone.

I was thinking about Michael Schumacher, like many people I’m sure in recent times. Whilst not wishing to state the obvious, thank the Lord he had the correct head gear on. Unfortunately, it could only lessen the impact to the head and not totally eradicate it. The impact of his accident on his family and friends is immeasurable and will be for many months, if not years. This quite easily can happen to you and your family whilst at work or play!

Mr Schumacher is fighting for his life with his family around his bedside. How many “if only’s” have been spoken, how many tears have been shed? No one sets out to die or seriously hurt themselves, but IT STILL HAPPENS every day at work and play.

But you can minimise the risk. USE your P.P.E. AND MAINTAIN IT IN A GOOD CONDITION. It can save your life on a daily basis at work. Then, take your training on holiday with you, use it in your daily activities when you are not working - and assess the situation. If you wouldn’t do it at work, don’t risk it at home or on holidays.

Mr Schumacher, with a suitable guide, went “off piste” for added thrills, whilst this is not for everyone certainly it would appeal to thrill seekers and experienced skiers.

Overconfidence can be a killer and that is why there is still a requirement to cover all the risks even when the task in hand is routine. Going “off piste” equates to working “off the cuff” or working without suitable Risk Assessments and Method Statements.

Please think of your families and follow ‘good practice’. Ensure you have the correct Paperwork, P.P.E. AND ALL (IF ANY) QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY YOUR SUPERVISOR PRIOR TO COMMENCING WORK. Any deviations from your method and risk assessments should be reassessed and a revised method and risk assessment should be in place. Don’t be a statistic Stop Think and React and we all can be STaRs.

Any training requirements can be met by C&D Consultancy.

Is your personal protective equipment legal?

Is your personal protective equipment (PPE) legal?

PPE can be defined under any of the following categories:

• Safety footwear
• Fall arrest harnesses
• Chemical protective clothing
• Safety helmets (i.e. hard hats)
• Eye protection
• High-visibility clothing
• Respiratory protective equipment
• Hand protection
• Welding protection

There is an issue of illegal and counterfeit PPE items being available on the market, though. If you are using such items, then you are putting yourself and your workers at risk, but you may not even realize.

In order to combat this problem, the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has created the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme (RSSS). If you see the BSiF Shield on equipment, then you know it is legal and up to standard.

If you aren't sure about the equipment you are using, or just want more advice, then please don't hesitate to get in touch or visit a website dedicated to PPE.

We must thank Jeff Lambert and the Merseyside and Cheshire Construction Safety Group for bringing this issue to our attention.