Health and Safety Policy and Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment

Transcription

1 Health and Safety Policy and Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment Document Reference: H&S No.5/03 This document includes a statement of Policy of Glasgow Caledonian University together with summary guidance to assist Executive Board Members, Deans and Heads of Professional Support Departments in discharging their health and safety responsibilities. The subject of this policy and guidance is Personal Protective Equipment, which is regarded as a last resort control measure or as an additional protective measure. In particular the document takes into account the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 where there does not already exist a comprehensive piece of legislation, such as those covering Lead, Asbestos, Ionising Radiation, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Noise or Construction Head protection. For more detailed guidance on the legal and general requirements you should obtain a copy of Personal Protective Equipment at Work Guidance on Regulations Note: Schools and Professional Support Departments must develop local arrangements to comply with this policy and incorporate them within their respective Health and Safety files. Prepared By: Health & Safety Department Date Of Issue: April 2004 Authorised By: Health and Safety Committee (Ref HS02/15f) Last Reviewed: 2009

2 Contents Table of Contents Introduction Compatibility of Personal Protective Equipment Assessment of Personal Protective Equipment Maintenance / Replacement of Personal Protective Equipment Accommodation for Personal Protective Equipment Information, Instruction and Training Use of Personal Protective Equipment Reporting loss or defect....7 Appendices Appendix No.1: Personal Protective Equipment Risk assessment form: Part 4 of General Risk assessment form. H & S No.5/03/HS02/15f/Revision 2 Page 2 of 8

3 1 INTRODUCTION Glasgow Caledonian University Personal Protective Equipment Policy Glasgow Caledonian University acknowledges its duty to make sufficient provision for the management of health and safety in the workplace. It is the policy of the University to fully implement the requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 by providing the facilities, procedures and resources to effect a suitable and sufficient health and safety management system. This document is Glasgow Caledonian University s policy and summary guidance and procedures for complying with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations The individual University Deans and Heads of Professional Support Departments are accountable to the Executive Members for the implementation of this policy within their areas of responsibility and control. Duties of implementation may be delegated to individuals in a manner that accurately reflects their existing levels of competence and responsibility. These individuals must plan, organise, control, monitor and review their health and safety management systems. However, in certain circumstances, the advice and assistance of specialist advisors may be required. Glasgow Caledonian University acknowledges its duty to make sufficient provision for the issue and maintenance of personal protective equipment in the workplace. It is the policy of the University to fully implement the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 by providing the appropriate procedures and equipment. A key role in implementing this policy lies with line managers who must select and monitor the use of Personal Protective Equipment on a regular basis. However, in certain circumstances, the advice and assistance of specialist competent persons will be required. This document will guide you on the University's Policy for complying with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (hereafter known as the PPE Regulations), however, for detailed guidance on implementation you should obtain a copy of 'Personal Protective Equipment at Work Guidance on Regulations (HSE Books L25). Where there are existing comprehensive regulations which require the use of Personal Protective Equipment, the PPE Regulations will not take precedence over more specific legislation e.g., The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998, The Ionising Radiation H & S No.5/03/HS02/15f/Revision 2 Page 3 of 8

4 Regulations 1999, The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, The Noise at Work Regulations 1989, The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations Where there are no current regulations dealing with the issue of PPE then the PPE Regulations will apply. The sections of the PPE Regulations for which this document provides summary guidance includes: Provision of Personal Protective Equipment. Compatibility of Personal Protective Equipment. Assessment of Personal Protective Equipment. Maintenance and Replacement of Personal Protective Equipment. Accommodation for Personal Protective Equipment. Information, Instruction and Training. Use of Personal Protective Equipment. Reporting Loss or Defect. 1.6 Within the scope of the regulations 'Personal Protective Equipment' means all equipment (including, if required clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn by a person at work to protect him from one or more risks to his health and safety. The term 'Personal Protective Equipment' does not include uniforms, crash helmets, etc., for protection while travelling on public highways, or equipment used whilst playing competitive sports, unless used by professional instructors e.g. life jackets for canoeists. The terms 'his', or 'he' shall also mean her or she as appropriate. H & S No.5/03/HS02/15f/Revision 2 Page 4 of 8

5 2 COMPATIBILITY OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 2.1 Summary Guidance Where a member of staff simultaneously wears or uses more than one item of PPE, this equipment shall be compatible and continue to offer adequate protection against the risks in question. 2.2 Action Required Identify those activities where more than one item of PPE is worn or used. Ensure that all items of PPE are still effective against the risks involved. Discuss with member of staff to ascertain that PPE remains comfortable and practicable in use. 3 ASSESSMENT OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 3.1 Summary Guidance Before selection of PPE an assessment will be undertaken to identify those risks for which PPE is to be used. 3.2 Action required If available, refer to risk assessment made under Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999 regulations 3 and identify those hazards for which PPE will be used as protection (App1: PPE Risk Assessment Form) PPE should be selected to provide the best level of protection available bearing in mind the level of risk and practicality of wearing this equipment. Manufacturers information should be consulted when selecting PPE. All PPE selected must bear the 'CE' mark. The PPE Regulations Guidance on this Regulation Part 2. Also offers guidance on selecting PPE appropriate to risks. H & S No.5/03/HS02/15f/Revision 2 Page 5 of 8

6 4 MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 4.1 Summary Guidance Where PPE has been issued, this shall be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair. 4.2 Action required Upon issue of Personal Protective Equipment, the member of staff should also receive appropriate information and training on it's maintenance. PPE should be examined before issue and use. Manufacturer's maintenance schedules and instructions should be followed. Periodic inspection of PPE should be undertaken to ensure maintenance schedules are being adhered to. 5 ACCOMMODATION FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 5.1 Summary Guidance Suitable storage shall be provided for PPE when it is not in use. Action Required Arrangement to be made so that PPE can be safely stored when not in use (e.g. lockers, spectacle cases, clothes pegs etc). Storage facility shall protect PPE from contamination. PPE which has become contaminated during use must be stored separately from ordinary clothing. Usable PPE should be clearly segregated from PPE awaiting repair or maintenance. Notification process for damaged or contaminated equipment. Identified process for the cleaning of equipment such as overalls. H & S No.5/03/HS02/15f/Revision 2 Page 6 of 8

7 6 INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING. 6.1 Summary Guidance Any member of staff requiring to wear PPE shall be provided with information, instruction and training which is appropriate to the PPE being worn. 6.2 Action required A programme of training for each item of PPE to include the following; The risks which this PPE will control. Operation, adjustment and limitations of the PPE. Storage of PPE. Any factors which may affect the performance of the PPE. Maintenance schedules. Identifying defects. This training shall be repeated as appropriate. Records of training/retraining shall be kept. 7 USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 7.1 Summary Guidance Where Personal Protective Equipment has been issued, steps shall be taken to ensure it is properly used. 7.2 Action required Periodic inspection should be undertaken to monitor the proper use of PPE. Staff should wear the PPE provided in accordance with the instruction and training received. Staff should return PPE to it's proper storage after use. H & S No.5/03/HS02/15f/Revision 2 Page 7 of 8

8 8 REPORTING LOSS OR DEFECT 8.1 Summary Guidance Every member of staff shall report any loss or defect in personal protective equipment to their direct supervisor, immediately the loss or defect is identified. 8.2 Action required Arrangements shall be made to allow staff to report loss or defect. On reporting loss or defect the member of staff will be issued with a replacement or have the defect repaired. Staff should report any concerns regarding the serviceability of their PPE. H & S No.5/03/HS02/15f/Revision 2 Page 8 of 8