Safety column: Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in construction

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By: Celyne Aubin

Special to Ontario Construction News

The purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is to protect workers from possible health and safety risks, and reduce the consequences of these risks.  PPE could include but is not limited to headwear, footwear, eye protection, skin protection, high visibility clothing and fall protection systems.

Personal Protective Equipment should be a last resort for preventing health and safety risks. A competent person should complete a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) before anyone starts a new job or task. The goal: Identify potential hazards and provide positive recommendations. Once all controls for each hazard have been identified and measures have been put into place, then the competent person should look into PPE.

“A worker shall wear such protective clothing and use such personal protective equipment or devices as are necessary to protect the worker against the hazards to which the worker may be exposed.” Occupational Health and Safety Act or the Regulations for Construction Projects Reg 213/91, s. 21 (1)

When determining the selection and use of PPE, the regulations say considerations include the nature, length and volume of exposure risk for each worker.

Section 25 and Sections 27 hold the employer and supervisor responsible for protective devices and equipment and responsible for them to be provided, used correctly and maintained.           Section 28 of the Act for the workers states: “A worker shall use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the worker’s employer requires to be used or worn.”

Occupational Health and Safety Act or the Regulations for Construction Projects Reg 213/91, s 28 (1) b

The Act puts obligations on workers as well as employers and supervisors to properly use PPE. The objective is to reduce the residual risk after the natural or inherent risks have been reduced by controls implemented by the JSA.

For all Ontario workers, the basic guidelines are found in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1.

Federally regulated firms should refer to the Canada Labour Code, Part II for PPE legal requirements.

Celyne Aubin is human resources consultant at Labor Tek. See www.labortek.com or phone (613) 741-1128.

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