PPE and Face coverings
PPE protects the user against health or safety
risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility
clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. It also includes respiratory protective equipment,
such as face masks. Where you are already using PPE in your work activity to protect
against non-COVID-19 risks, you should continue to do so. When managing the risk of COVID-19,
additional PPE beyond what you usually wear is not beneficial. This is because COVID-19
is a different type of risk to the risks you normally face in a workplace, and needs to
be managed through social distancing, hygiene and fixed teams or partnering, not through
the use of PPE. The exception is clinical settings, like a hospital, or a small handful
of other roles for which Public Health England advises the use of PPE.Workplaces should not
encourage the precautionary use of extra PPE to protect against COVID-19 outside clinical
settings or when responding to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. Unless you
are in a situation where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is very high, your risk assessment
should reflect the fact that the role of PPE in providing additional protection is extremely
limited. However, if your risk assessment does show that PPE is required, then you must
provide this PPE free of charge to workers who need it. Any PPE provided must fit properly.
Importance of PPE in Workplace Safety
Understanding PPE
Exploring the significance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in safeguarding against workplace hazards.
Key Points:
- PPE encompasses various protective items like helmets, gloves, eye protection, and masks.
- It shields users from health and safety risks encountered during work activities.
Managing COVID-19 Risks
Adapting PPE usage guidelines to effectively combat COVID-19 transmission risks.
Crucial Considerations:
- Additional PPE for COVID-19 is generally unnecessary outside clinical settings.
- Risk management for COVID-19 primarily involves social distancing and hygiene practices.
- Exceptions apply to high-risk environments like hospitals, where PPE remains essential.
- Precautionary PPE usage is discouraged in non-clinical settings unless transmission risk is very high.
- Free provision of necessary PPE is mandated if risk assessments deem it essential.
- Proper fitting of provided PPE is crucial for effectiveness.