As per the regulations, PPE can be defined as all equipment that is required to be worn by a person at work to protect him against one or more risks that are harmful to his health or safety.
It is the contractors responsibility to identify hazards and to make an attempt to remove the hazards and then only must the workers exposure to the hazards be protected with personal protective equipment.
Personal protective equipment must be supplied by the contractors. It must be worn at work wherever there are risks to a person’s health or safety that can’t be controlled in other ways.
Remember:
- PPE must be assessed before use to ensure it is suitable for the task at hand.
- PPE must be maintained and stored properly.
- PPE must be provided with instructions on how to use it safely.
- PPE must be used correctly by employees.
According to regulation 2(7) of the General Safety Regulations, an employer shall not require or permit any employee to work unless such an employee uses the required safety equipment that is provided.
PPE must be worn on site by all employees as it will protect and limit employees exposure to hazards. The employees must be aware of the limitations of the safety equipment that is provided.
All construction sites must be declared a hard hat and foot protection zones. If the employees do not adhere, they must be escorted off site. All employees must wear high visibility clothing on site in order to stand out. The footwear must be appropriate for the type of job they are doing eg. If they are doing cement work the proper footwear will be gumboots.
Personal Protective Equipment for different tasks:
Goggles:
- Jack & kango hammers
- Angle and bench grinders
- Electric drills
- Overhead and chisel work
- Explosive power tools
- Concrete vibrators and pokers
Face shields / Welding helmets
- Brazing work
- Flame cutting
- Glass welding torches
- Arc welding
Hearing protection; muffs and ear plugs
- Jack and kango hammers
- Angle grinder
- Explosive power tools
- Noise generated from wood / aluminum working machines
- Saws, planers & routers
Protective gloves
- Handling cement, bricks, steel or chemicals
- Welding equipment
- Hammers and chisels
- Jack or kango hammers
Suitable respirators
- Dry cement
- Hazardous chemicals
- Angle grinders
- Spray painters working in dry dusty areas
Fall arrest equipment
- Working in or on unguarded or elevated positions
- Erecting scaffold
- Rigging work
- Lift shaft work
- Edge work & ring beam edge work.
Choosing the correct PPE
- PPE must be appropriate for the risks that are involved.
- It must be able to prevent or adequately control the risk involved.
- Can it be adjusted to fit correctly
- If more than one item of PPE is worn make sure they are compatible.
Training
- Employees must be aware of why PPE is needed.
- Employees must know when it must be used, repaired or replaced.
- Employees must be trained on how to use the PPE that is provided.
- Additional safety signs can be used as a reminder for employees to wear their PPE.
Personal Protective Equipment must be maintained and properly stored after use. It must also be kept clean and in good repair. Employees must use the PPE that is provided for them as it is there to help keep them safe and it is their responsibility to care for it.
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Contact Information:
021 982 6077
info@kwali.co.za
6 Quarry Close
Brackenfell
Kwali Mark Construction 
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