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Posted By R. Jackson
Having taken over the reins of the health and safety officer for a company, one of the inital topics of discussion was PPE, the previous HSE person, gave certain areas the freedom to wear or not wear their PPE. I have told them that due to the regulations this is not possible, if an area has been risk assessed and has concluded that PPE is to be worn it, then there is nothing to argue with. However, we have a structure of management which is split with their decision (even though there is no decision when it cans to the regulation). One very is that all should wear PPE, staff, visitors and any others. Another says that if someone is not working, or touching parts or processes and is in the area for a short period of time then they should be expempt from wearing PPE (overalls in particular).
Also, many of our processes produce heat and in the summer months can become unbearable, so fans have been purchased to over come some of these problems. However this is still a difficult task to enforce employees to wear PPE. Does anyone have any solutions in combatting any of these
problem?
Regards
R Jackson
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Posted By Fred Pratley
I have very similar difficulties, but have managed to get all to concede that either there is no risk, and PPE will not required, or there is a risk even with all other measures in place, and PPE is to be enforced. Remind management that once the decision is made, failing to enforce is negligence and roll on the compensation claims.
Our plan is to start in the obvious areas, one at a time, redo the assessments and police the outcome.
Any one any other ideas?
Fred
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Posted By Robert.
If the company supplies specific PPE, then it is for a specific reason and should become a condition of employment. This should be addressed at induction. As for visitors etc, they should not be exempt if their wish is to vist areas of precieved risk.
It may sound hard line but if the stuff were to hit the fan, the company could, at least prove that they took reasonable measures to protect all individuals.
As for heat discomfort and PPE, well, there is no real easy answer, but frequent controlled and approved breaks, if it is appropriate and plenty of fluids always help.
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Posted By MichaelM
Morning R
If you have bent over backwards to find out why they are not wearing the PPE, other than pig headedness, and have put what help, support and systems in place that you can to help reduce the reasons, and the problem continues, then you have to get HR involved and make it a discliplinary action if they do not follow company H&S policy/procedures for wearing PPE. Once one person is disciplined (and we would rather this didn't happen) the grapevine will sort out the problem pretty fast.
As H&S professiopnals this is the last route we would want to go down but in some very rare circumstances it may be necessary.
Michael
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Posted By Caro M
I had a very similar discussion in this mornings H&S meeting!
Many of our employees have become lax in wearing the appropriate PPE supplied. Particularly in the recent hot weather protective jackets etc. were becoming an issue. Management were also conflicting in their enforcement of PPE wearing as there were no written 'rules'.
Reassessment of the area suggested that the supplied PPE should be compulsory therefore all staff will be notified and the reasons explained, particularly the fact that it is 'for your own safety'. Management will then be able to police this as a united front.
However we recognise that in some cases, like the recent hot weather, when carrying out certain tasks full protective clothing is not required e.g labelling empty packaging, however there are a number of risks involved which may not be immediately obvious, such as proximity to a more hazardous process. As we are a relatively small company we can be flexible enough to leave it open for employees to come to management and ask to have a task reassessed should they think the PPE is unnecessary.
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Posted By Philip Purcell
Hello,
if the people visiting are at risk when the go through the area then they will need to use the PPE. Vistors are not exempt from these requirements and are usualy more receptable to going with the companies request.
Regarding your local staff , you will need to work closely with them in identify the whys that they need to wear this PPE. It needs to be bought by them or they wil not go for it. The managers and supervisors need to set good examples. Listen to their concerns and try to work with them in eradicating them. If it is too hot , try job rotation etc.
The last route would have to be discipline. Hopefully this will not be needed as it create strong discontent.
best of luck with this !
Philip
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Posted By R. Jackson
Thank you all so far for your responses. The managment are finally satarting to stand together and acknowlegde the reasons why PPE is in place. Unfortunately the employees are starting to make a fuss. As some of you have mentioned, reassessing an area to see if its avaliable to relax the required PPE, this has been successful in one area, but people are now thinking that their is an 'us' and 'them' situation. The management and myself are looking towards a PPE which has similar properties to the existing PPE but is suited for working in hotter conditions.
Thank you all again
R
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Posted By Descarte
When working in the petrochemical industry we had a talk given by an American genltman touring the UK. He gives talks on PPE and how important it is to wera it. In this case it was Nomex flame proof. Basically the guy tells his story and shows you his burns. Very compelling especially how he was in a specialist burns units (soaking in a tank of water) listening to other peoples screams as they had to peel skin off them to try to prevent scarring.
Im sure a google search would bring something similar up, I know it is extreme but with things like overalls in a dangerous environment they are still essential PPE. Shock tactics are nice, but they work, hence the driving safety adverts knocking down children and people going through windscreens.
my 2 cents :-)
Descarte
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Posted By Abiodun Gbolahan
Its very ovious that the law could catch up with an organization if in its operation course an acciendent on any person in the operational zone or area and if investagation now confirm that such individual would have been prevented from the occurrence if PPE was worn by the individual.
It is therefore necessary and compulsory for every person in the operational area/zone to be full kitted as indicated by the risk assessement report of the operation area.
To acheive PPE compliance by staff it should be emphasised during new staff induction training into the organization, for the old staff an award should be introduce for PPE compliance staff and finally it should include in their target for appraisal quarterly or mid -year.
Visitor should be informed and mandated to comply with the organization code of conduct or stricted to the low risk zone ie. the reception.
Hope these contribution will meet up with your demenad
Abiodun Gbolahan
NIgeria
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