People who use PPE regularly in dirty work areas or for dirty tasks must frequently check it to make sure it remains fit for purpose. The dirtier the task – the more frequent and thorough those check need to be. Finally – for PPE… • Take the opportunity to inspect its condition • Clean it or change it if required • Ensure its appropriate for the intended use

1. © Sembcorp Industries 2011

2. But my PPE will protect me !
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

3. Are YOU Storing Dirty Gloves In
Your Hard Hat?
Infection?
The use of hard hats has undoubtedly saved
hundreds of lives in recent years. However, it
was recently reported that an employee of a
major contractor (not on Wilton site) developed
a severe skin infection on his head, called
cellulitis.
The most likely cause was storing dirty / soiled
gloves within the individual’s hard hat.
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

4. Although it may be a “convenient” storage area, your hard hat is not
designed for storage, and it must not be used to store and carry dirty
gloves.
Additionally, the sweat band on your helmet will need some periodic
cleaning.
Wipe plastic sweat bands with a clean damp cloth.
Wash foam sweat bands with mild soap, ensure they are thoroughly
rinsed, and then dry them before reattaching them to your helmet.
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

5. Other hazards posed by our PPE ……….
1. Don’t assume that just any PPE item will protect you – it needs to
be the right item (see the CE label) to protect you against the hazard
If in doubt you can check the information on the PPE Product Guide,
within Safety on the Intranet, or see the Manufacturers Information
on the packaging the item comes in.
2. Examine your PPE before use – if damage is evident, dispose of it
appropriately and obtain a new item
•
•
Asbestos protective PPE should be bagged and disposed of in an
Asbestos skip as soon as it is removed
Chemical protective PPE may need to be segregated from general
waste – check COSHH Data Sheets or with the Environmental
Manager
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

6. Helmet mounted Ear Muffs when
pushed up on the helmet – are in
danger of being deformed as well
as contaminated by anything that
drips or lands on the outside of
your helmet – and the parts
contaminated are the seals in
contact with your skin round your
ears
Note the deformed seal, which
will develop a “memory”
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

7. Goggles If carried on your helmet –
are in danger of being contaminated
by anything that drips or lands on the
outside of your helmet – and in use
the part contaminated will be the face
seal in contact with your skin round
your eyes.
Also if carried / stored on your helmet in this way,
both the strap and the face seal will lose their
elasticity, and you will not get a good fit and correct
protection from the item.
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

8. Face screens or goggles hanging near bench or pedestal
grinders, fixed drills etc ……….
– are in danger of being contaminated by abrasive dusts and
metal swarf
– anything that falls on or in the PPE will potentially contaminate
your skin or eyes during use
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

9. Gloves –Work gloves are designed to protect the hands from
injury and contamination by preventing entrance to the body
through the skins surface.
If contaminated - Rubber or Neoprene type gloves can often be
wiped clean on the outside
- but if cloth type gloves are impregnated or dirty inside, get rid of
them, and ask yourself ……
- “Are these the right ones for my task ?”
…………..before getting a new pair
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

10. Overalls get dirty, and need frequent and correct laundering –
this is supplied by SembCorp
Don’t carry oily rags in overall pockets – they have been linked
to skin and other cancers.
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

11. “Face Masks” – better described as
Filtering Face Pieces or ½ masks –
When left hanging up in workshops or
out on the job – any dust and debris
which falls on or in the PPE will
contaminate your lungs or skin if you
use the “Mask”.
Filtering Face Pieces and ½ mask
filters need replacing regularly if they
have been used.
© Sembcorp Industries 2011

12. People who use PPE regularly in dirty work areas or for dirty tasks
must frequently check it to make sure it remains fit for purpose.
The dirtier the task – the more frequent and thorough those check
need to be.
Finally – for PPE….
• Take the opportunity to inspect its condition
• Clean it or change it if required
• Ensure its appropriate for the intended use
© Sembcorp Industries 2011