Personal Protective Equipment - Protective Clothing

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often referred to as the last line of defence for the body. In reality, our last line of defence is usually the skin. But our skin is sensitive and fragile, is itself easily damaged, and is poorly suited to the range of assaults that typical working environments can inflict on it.

Discomfort, pain and direct injury to the skin can arise from:

• mechanical hazards - abrasion, cuts, tears, punctures and impact;
• contact with extreme temperatures - hot or very cold surfaces, molten materials;

Skin also needs protection against less obvious hazards like:

• chemicals, which may pass through the skin and be absorbed into the body;
• non-ionising radiation (ultra-violet and infra-red radiation).

Specifically designed clothing can protect the skin against some or all of these hazards. However, selection of the right type of clothing for a particular job can be complicated. Once chosen, those who have to use the clothing need to be properly trained in how to wear it correctly, and cleaning and maintenance systems must be established to ensure that it continues to provide the necessary level of protection.

HSL can help you with:

• selection of the right type and style of clothing for your applications and wearers;
• training those who use the clothing, and their supervisors;
• establishing clothing management systems.

  For further information on protection against heat and flames using PPE please click here.

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Unit by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.

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