When Safety Equipment Should Be Replaced

1. When Safety Equipment Should Be Replaced Personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital for any workplace with hazardous conditions. Although it is not the only requirement in compliance with best practices and safety regulations (the SWMS found before commencing a project highlight the entire suite of risk prevention plans), it is a crucial one. Every employer should provide their employees with PPE. The employee is not obligated to provide their safety gear. The employer is also responsible for educating their employees on how to properly use the equipment and ensure that the equipment is well-maintained. According to Safe work, PPE requires being:

2. • Appropriate for the kind of work • The right size and fit for the person • Correctly maintained and stored Another critical thing is that the equipment needs to be replaced more often than you might consider. How fast does PPE degrade? A minor tear or ragged edge on normal clothing does not necessarily mean much. In fact, there is a complete fashion trend where people deliberately tear and wear down their clothes. This is not the case with PPE, as the slightest flaw in the equipment could expose someone to the risk of chemical hazards. A good example is an arc flash suit that has the smallest gap in the clothing. Chemicals or fire can break through the barrier and get inside the material, causing harm to the person wearing it. A Chemical Hazard Suit should be replaced often, although there is no set rate at which this is required to be done. It all depends on how often they are worn and how frequently they are exposed to chemical hazards. Under normal circumstances, it is advisable to expect the equipment to require replacement every six months. What should one be looking for? You need to maintain a schedule for when you should inspect all PPE. This schedule should be throughout its lifespan, where you can identify when a piece of chemical hazard suit might require to be replaced sooner. Some of the things that you should be looking for that will indicate that the equipment might be worn beyond use include: • Any discoloration or material dilapidation – if the material is faded or thin then it suggests fragility which is susceptible to failure. • Rips, cracks, holes, tears, indention, or any evident damage – this is an instant indicator that the equipment can no longer function as required. • The age of the gear compared to the manufacturer’s expiration date – if the equipment is closer to expiration, then the more keenly it needs to be inspected. • How many previous owners have used the gear? – multiple owners will use the gear differently, which can speed up degradation. • Failing straps, adapters, locks, or security devices