Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to minimise your risk of exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, physical, electrical or mechanical hazards. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, masks, earplugs, hard hats, respirators, or overalls, vests and bodysuits. All personal protective equipment should be safely designed and manufactured to comply with their specific purposes of use, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion.
Many workplaces are now offering reusable PPE solutions to reduce single item use wastage and environmental impact. Reusable equipment also brings attractive cost savings, but regular cleaning and maintenance is essential.
Cleaning your PPE after you use it will keep it in great working order and safe. This is particularly important for any PPE used to protect against viruses or bacteria, as left unaddressed, PPE can actually become a breeding ground of contamination. Proper use, cleaning, and maintenance of masks, goggles, and face shields helps prevent the spread of disease. Failing to do so could end up putting you or someone else in direct contact with the pathogens you were trying to avoid.
Consider storage when not in use
PPE must be properly looked after and stored when not in use, for example in a dry, clean cupboard. If it is reusable it must be cleaned after every use and stored correctly. Avoid storing your PPE with other items such as consumables or machinery.
Comfort is key
PPE should help you be comfortable and fit correctly, otherwise it might be ineffective. Knee pads help soften uncomfortable positions, and gloves ensure you can comfortably work with sharp tools or chemicals . If your PPE isn’t comfortable, look for a different size or type.
Understand legal requirements
It is vital to check the expiry dates on PPE like hard hats and other equipment. Also having a working understanding of the legal requirements of the PPE you make use of will ensure safety when using it.
Make sure there’s enough
Keep a supply of appropriate disposable items. They are effective and very useful for dirty jobs where laundry costs are high. Disposable items are also easy to replace like ripped gloves. This is not the case for your skin. That’s why its essential that there is an adequate supply.
Use a Hypochlorous Solution to disinfect your PPE after use
NOVA BIOCLEAR is ideal for on-the-go cleaning and disinfecting of PPE through fogging, rinsing or spraying. HOCl will kill 99.999% microbes and spores present on gowns, nets and masks and more! It is especially beneficial as a preferred sanitising agent for PPE such as masks and goggles, since it is non-toxic, biodegradable and completely safe for humans.
