Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while working can prevent and reduce the risk of workplace accidents. In some high-risk jobs, personal protective equipment must be worn. However, the types of personal protective equipment that must be worn are not the same, depending on the type of work performed.
Personal protective equipment is equipment that must be used to protect workers from hazards that can cause injury or serious illness related to their work. Personal protective equipment has been specifically designed according to the type of work, for example PPE for construction workers will not be the same as PPE for workers in the laboratory.
All PPE equipment must meet applicable standards and requirements, such as clean, fit and comfortable worn by workers, and must be replaced periodically if it is not functioning properly and has expired.
Types of personal protective equipment
The obligation to wear this PPE has been agreed by the government through the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia. The shape of the tool depends on its function, namely:
1. Head protection gear
Head protection device serves to protect the head from impact, blow, or head injury due to falling hard objects. This tool can also protect the head from heat radiation, fire, chemical sparks, or extreme temperatures.
Types of head protective equipment consists of a safety helmet (safety helmet), a hat or head covering, and protective hair.
2. Eye and face protection equipment
This protective device serves to protect the eyes and face from exposure to hazardous chemicals, gases and particles that float in air or water, splash small objects, heat, or steam.
Personal protective equipment that covers the face and eyes is also important to be used to reduce the risk of health problems or injuries resulting from exposure to radiation, exposure to light, and the impact or blow of hard or sharp objects.
Eye protection tools that are commonly used are special glasses or spectacles and goggles. While face protection equipment consists of a face shield (face shield) or full face mask, which is a mask that covers all parts of the face.
3. Ear protection equipment
This earmuffs consist of ear plugs or ear muffs which serve to protect the ear from noise (noise pollution) or air pressure.
4. Respiratory protection equipment
The function of this tool is to protect respiratory organs by channeling clean air or filtering exposure to harmful substances or objects, such as microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, and fungi), dust, fog, steam, smoke, and certain chemical gases, so that they are not inhaled and enter into the body.
Respiratory protection equipment consists of several components, namely:
- Mask.
- Respirator
- Special tubes or cartridges for delivering oxygen.
- Submersible tanks and regulators, for workers who work in water.
If the worker experiences breathing problems at work, ideally breathing devices are also available, such as masks and oxygen cylinders.
5. Hand protection equipment
Hand protection or gloves serve to protect the fingers from fire, hot or cold temperatures, radiation, electric current, chemicals, impact or blow, sharp objects, or infection.
These gloves are made from a variety of materials, depending on the needs and work. These gloves are made of metal, leather, canvas, cloth, rubber, or special materials to protect the hands from certain chemicals.
6. Foot protection equipment
This tool serves to protect the feet from impacting or being crushed by heavy objects, pierced by sharp objects, exposed to hot or cold liquids and hazardous chemicals, as well as slipping due to slippery surfaces. Types of protective equipment such as rubber boots (boots) and safety shoes.
7. Protective clothing
Protective clothing serves to protect the body from extreme heat or cold, exposure to fire and hot objects, chemical splashes, hot steam, impact, radiation, animal bites or stings, as well as viral, fungal, and bacterial infections.
Types of protective clothing consist of vests, aprons (coveralls), jackets, and one-piece coveralls.
8. Safety belt and strap
Some jobs require workers to work in a position that is quite dangerous, such as at high altitudes or in a narrow room under the ground. These safety belts and straps serve to limit the movement of workers so as not to fall or fall out of a safe position.
9. Life vest
The buoy is used by workers who work on water or on the surface of the water so that it can float and not sink. This life vest consists of a life jacket or life vest.
It is important to remember that the use of personal protective equipment is very important to protect yourself from work accidents. But unfortunately, there are still many workers who are reluctant to use PPE for reasons that are uncomfortable, hassle, heavy, or tight.
Although sometimes it can make users not free to move and uncomfortable, PPE still needs to be worn at all times while working. Especially if it has been determined by company and government regulations. The aim is to prevent serious health problems and injuries that could potentially be life threatening or cause disability.
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