Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Pez Hargreaves
Good evening,
Has anybody out there completed a Risk Assessment on PPE, (potential hazards are FLT operation, warehouse activities this would include Hazardous stores & transport deliveries) I have started identifying Hazards, and what part of the body that could be a effected by these activities and in what way. I am really after assurance I am going down the right lines, if anybody has an example this would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Chris Packham
Pez
Are you looking at the hazards that using PPE might create and hence the risk of damage to health. If so, then gloves used for chemical protection must rate high on your list.
Most of the chemical protective gloves I see used are actually not protecting the wearer, although this may not be apparent either to wearer or employer. Manufacturers' published performance data does not tell you what performance you will achieve in actual use. This can vary widely.
Furthermore, any contamination inside a glove can cause more damage to health from skin irritation and absorption (leading to systemic effects of allergy) than were no glove to be worn in the first place. Occlusion is also a problem. This is recognised in Germany where if an occlusive glove has to be worn in total for more than 2 hours in any 8 hour shift this is considered a skin hazard and special precautions have to be taken (Technisch Regel fuer Gefahrstoffe Nr. 401).
If you need more on this get in touch direct.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By John A Wright
Pez,
Or.......
Maybe the risk assessement is not ON the PPE. Is it on the job of someone who transports hazardous material around the site and sometimes uses an FLT to do so, so your risk assessment needs to identify where PPE can reduce the hazards?
If there is a risk of any leaking containers or spills then look at the MSDS of those materials, as well as gloves you will need spill kit(s). Note: some MSDSs are not good at specifying the correct gloves; latex, nitrile, neoprene etc
John W
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Chris Packham
John
Not only are safety data sheets not good a specifying which glove material, but when they do they are often wrong. I recently reviewed 7 safety data sheets for a printing works. Each specified a glove material and every one was wrong!
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By John A Wright
Thanks Chris, you are right about that. Many MSDSs say latex gloves, not really knowing what they are, nor knowing that they dissolve in ketones!
Pez, if you are uncertain about what gloves you might need to protect against solvents, hydrocarbons, acids etc then contact Arco or your other local PPE supplier.
If your operative is expected to clean up spills then he'll likely need footwear and eyewear too.
John W
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Chris Packham
John
Even many glove suppliers get it wrong - as I have found on numerous occasions.
In fact selection and use of gloves for chemical protection is far more complex than many realise. Manufacturers' published performance times do not indicate what you will get in practice - particularly if you are dealing with mixtures. (With some mixtures there simply is no glove that will work other than as splash protection.)
In "Protective Gloves for Occupational Use" (Boman, Estlander, Wahlberg, Maibach, eds - CRC Press, ISBN 0-8493-1558-1) the chapter "Practical Considerations When Selecting and Using Gloves for Chemical Protection in a Workplace" runs to 30 pages.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mitch
Pez,
On a different line to the previous responders PPE is a last option i.e. protection can be afforded by screens on a forklift removing any chance of contact. Remove and reduce hazards firstly; I feel this is where your RA's should be leading reading your question.
Mitch
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.