Workplace Hazard Control and Personal Protective Equipment

Workplace Safety: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Hand Protection: Gloves and Their Risks

When handling a stock of spare parts, mechanical risks are primarily associated with the transport of parts, whether packed or unpacked. The main hazards include cuts from sharp edges or splinters from pallets.

Gloves for Mechanical Hazards

Gloves designed for mechanical hazards should offer good dexterity, tactile sensitivity, and cut protection. While some welding gloves provide thermal resistance, their primary function is often mechanical and thermal protection.

Gloves for Chemical Hazards

These types of gloves must meet specific minimum mechanical properties to bear the CE marking, ensuring they provide adequate protection against chemical exposure.

Gloves for Thermal Hazards

Thermal hazard gloves must demonstrate resistance to flame behavior, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, and small drops of molten metal, among other properties.

Risks Associated with Glove Use

• Risk of Entrapment: There is a significant danger if a moving mechanism catches the glove, as this could pull the hand into the machine, greatly increasing the risk of injury.
• Risk from Poor Preservation: Storing gloves in unsuitable places can lead to deterioration, making them ineffective and potentially causing accidents.
• Risks from Misuse: Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used only for its intended purpose. Using gloves in situations for which they were not designed can lead to their deterioration and compromise safety.

Foot Protection Requirements

Foot protection is crucial across various work environments due to diverse hazards:

• Electromechanics: Risks include slipping, falling objects, contact with chemical products, potential contact with hot components, and small drops of molten metal.
• Sheet Metal Work: Hazards involve slipping, falling objects, and entrapments.
• Painting: Risks are associated with working with solvents, chemicals, and slipping hazards.
• Storage Areas: Common risks include slipping, falling objects, and entrapments.

Eye and Face Protection in the Workplace

Common Eye Hazards

Eye hazards can be categorized into several types:

• Mechanical: Caused by fine or coarse powders, flying debris, or impacts.
• Optical: Resulting from exposure to artificial light sources, such as welding arcs, or excessive sunlight.
• Chemical: Involving exposure to harmful gases and vapors.

Types of Facial and Eye Protection

Appropriate protection is essential for safeguarding eyes and face:

1. Shields or Face Shields: Designed to protect the entire face and head, these also provide comprehensive eye protection.
2. Eye Protection (Goggles/Glasses): Specifically designed to protect the eyes.
   • Universal Frame Glasses: Feature protective and optical frames that can be separated.
   • Panoramic Goggles: These goggles fully adapt to the face, preventing any projection from reaching the eye area.

Sources of Eye and Face Risk by Zone

Specific work zones present unique risks:

• Electrical Zone: Risks include accidental shocks from tool use and work on vehicles.
• Sheet Metal Zone: Hazards arise from chip removal tools, welding processes, molten solder, and general tool wear and tear.
• Painting Area: Risks are primarily derived from the manipulation of solvents, paints, and other general chemicals.

Specific Workplace Risk Categories

Electrical Zone Risks

In the electrical zone, primary risks include entrapment hazards associated with hand tools and cutting implements, especially when hands are placed in narrow gaps where cutting edges may be present.

Sheet Metal and Surface Finishing Risks

This area presents various hazards, including thermal risks during welding, thermal and chemical hazards during plastic repairs, and risks from cutting, sanding dust, and solder.

Painting Area Chemical Risks

The main danger in the painting area is occupational dermatitis due to chemical exposure. Additionally, some compounds used can seep through the skin and be distributed throughout the bloodstream, posing systemic health risks.