How can you choose the right personal protective equipment for your team?

There are a number of ways to get started, some more complicated than others. One of the simplest first step thing to do is get online and use the OSHA (Or your country's equivalent). Identify the type of work you are doing and see what injuries are being reported. Protect against those! And of course, if you have records of issues at your business, take those into immediate consideration. A hazard that is often a contributor to almost every injury is that of mindset. There is no protective device that can magically solve that. This requires visible leadership, communication and the right shared goal.

Choosing the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for your team is crucial for ensuring their safety in various work environments. Conduct a Risk Assessment Understand Regulatory Requirements Identify Specific Job Tasks Select Appropriate PPE Based on the identified hazards and job tasks, select the appropriate PPE for each situation. Common types of PPE include: Head Protection: Helmets, hard hats. Eye Protection: Safety glasses, goggles, face shields. Hearing Protection: Earplugs, earmuffs. Respiratory Protection: Masks, respirators. Hand Protection: Gloves. Foot Protection: Safety shoes, boots. Body Protection: Coveralls, aprons, vests. Consider Comfort and Fit Evaluate Durability and Performance Training and Education

We should consider some other significant points; Psychological hazards: Address potential mental health risks like stress, burnout, and work-related anxiety. Near misses: Emphasize the importance of reporting near misses as potential indicators of future accidents. Continuous improvement: Highlight the need for ongoing hazard identification and reassessment to stay updated on potential risks.

Minha vivência na industria me ensinou que a questão racional sobre os perigos existentes nas atividades realizadas é racional, contudo é imperativo que os líderes sejam os primeiros a serem treinadas com o olhar de segurança. O líder deverá estar atento quais as implicações dos perigos que eles devem ser os primeiros a identificar os perigos no local de trabalho da sua equipe.

Once you have identified the hazards, make them visible. Use placards, colors and guarding to keep hazards mindful. Painting expanded metal or grid type guards black instead of yellow makes the hazard behind more visible, making hazard more apparent.

Algunas ideas: Mapear los trabajos a realizar. Evaluar los epp necesarios para cada trabajo, si corresponde un epp basico o un epp especifico. Elaborar un cuadro de EPPs por puesto de trabajo. Culminar con la capacitación acerca del uso apropiado de los EPPs.

O grande desafio é a necessidade de investir e não ter medo de ousar para eliminar ou reduzir o risco. As corporações tendem a fornecer o EPI, sendo que este e a ultima opção dentro a hierarquia de controle. Estamos na era da Inteligência Artificial, cada vez mais surgem novidades e possibilidades, contudo permanecemos com uma visão estreita quando se trata de mudar a forma de trabalho nas linhas produtivas. Não existe outra alternativa para o risco , isto é uma pergunta que todo líder deve se fazer ao analisar as atividades e exposição que existe na ceara laboral.

Não basta fornecer o EPI , temos que treinar a utilização do equipamento, garantir a correta utilização, manutenção do equipamento, substituir quando avariado . Criar um controle sobre a validade e correta periodicidade de troca.

Antes mesmo de solicitar orçamentos, o primeiro passo é ter certeza que o levantamento de riscos ambientais da empresa está completo e coerente. Isso é extremamente importante para identificar se todos os EPIs solicitados são adequados ao tipo de risco. Estes podem ser riscos biológicos, químicos, físicos, ergonômicos ou mecânicos e o local de trabalho pode apresentar apenas um ou uma série desses riscos. Por isso a relevância de uma avaliação completa e realizada por profissionais especializados em segurança do trabalho. 

Remember , your ppe is only as good as the mindset behind the ppe. You can have great ppe, that is a perfect solution for the application. You can have excellent training. Both of these are required, but they are only as effective if the culture of the team/company is mended in such a way that promoted the use of ppe. There should be a overall accountability and self directed ownership of each member working together and holding each other up and accountable to the highest safety standards. Creating a cultural norm where safety is first, where the training is applied and the ppe equipped not simply as a mandate but more over as a necessity and willing mindset of the team and culture overall.

Selecting the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) demands a systematic approach. Begin by analyzing workplace risks and tasks, identifying potential hazards. Research and choose PPE that addresses these risks, adhering to safety standards. Prioritize comfort and fit to encourage compliance; ensure adjustability for individual needs. Assess durability, quality, and certifications for reliability. Educate your team on correct usage, maintenance, and storage. Regularly review and update PPE choices to align with evolving safety standards and technological advancements, fostering a safer work environment for your team.