Personal Protective Equipment
The term PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is one that we have heard and used a lot in the recent past. Frontline healthcare workers donning head-to-toe protective gear while working to combat the COVID-19 virus has unfortunately become a common sight. However, PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is not limited in its purview to only virus-related usage; it finds application in many fields where exposure to high risk to health or person is imminent.
Personal protective equipment is designed to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These hazards could be chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace-related ones. PPE is considered to be an integral part of a comprehensive line of control measures that organizations across industries have to provide to their employees in order to counter all or any workplace hazards. It is considered to be the last line of defence of several risk control measures and used when the hazards cannot be completely negated.
What are the different types of PPE?
Some of the most commonly used components of PPE, with different industries having their own specific ones based on the unique hazards that they may face include:
- Gloves
- Safety glasses and shoes
- Earplugs or muffs
- Hard hats
- Respirators
- Coveralls
- Vests
- Isolation gowns
- Face masks/shields
- Countertop barriers
- Personal spacing discs
- Sanitizer wipes
- Hand sanitizers
- Full bodysuits
- Safety harness
- High visibility clothing
- Non-contact thermometers
Additionally, specific industries are prone to specific hazards. Other PPE such as safety goggles, steel toe capped boots, skin barrier creams, safety helmets, hand shields, bump caps, head guards, noise meters, anti-static and conductive footwear, flame resistant aprons, life jackets, energy absorbers, fall arrest systems, hard hats with chin straps, hazmat suits, etc., may also be on the list of PPEs that you may want to collaborate with specialized suppliers of PPE such as Boss & Hughes to procure.
What is the PPE I require for protecting myself?
While the requirement for PPE in hospitals is likely to be different from what an employee in a chemical factory may need, the PPE that is standardly accounted for the world over has to offer protection to all parts of the body. Based on this, the PPE can be demarcated as safety equipment for:
- Protection for the head and scalp – Personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety helmets, bump caps, head guards, and hard hats with chin straps, are accurately designed to offer full protection to the head and scalp from any falls, lacerations, any falling objects or more.
- Protection for the eyes – Safety goggles, face shields, safety helmets with face shields, etc., offer protection from radiation, chemical fumes or sprays, harmful gases, and also very bright lights.
- Protection for the ears – hearing protectors such as ear muffs and plugs, ear canal caps, noise meters, etc., help employees exposed to the possibility of any hearing injury from loud, deafening sounds such as drills and other machinery.
- Protection for the hands and arms – The risk of serious injury due to burns, lacerations, infections, electric shocks, harmful exposure to chemical spills, etc., at the workplace can be mitigated by the appropriate usage of gloves, hand shields, etc.
- Protection for the feet and legs – Safety boots, leggings, steel toe capped boots, protective toe caps, anti-static and conductive footwear, among others can protect the wearer from any injuries that can be caused by piercing, falling, bruising, or sudden changes in temperature, etc.
- Maintaining the ideal level of respiration – Severe respiratory damage can be caused by inhaling toxic fumes or gases and from airborne particles of dust. In order to maintain the optimum levels of respiration while at work, workers can don protective gear such as masks, face shields, and respirators with the appropriate filters.
- Protection for the body – Extreme fluctuations in external temperatures; radiation; exposure to chemical spills, leaks, and gases; the impact of machinery; etc., can cause irreversible damage to the body. In order to safeguard the worker at all times, protective clothing such as hazmat suits, coveralls, full-body suits, etc., are recommended.
- Height and access protection – In any workplace where the workers always face the possibility of falling from a height, protecting themselves from any falls or sudden impact becomes mandatory. Harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, locking carabiners, energy absorbers, fall arrest systems, and more can offer the protection that is required.
What are the benefits of using PPE at the workplace ?
As per the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 5,333 workers were fatally injured in the United States in 2019 as a result of work-related accidents and illnesses.
In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was made into law to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all workers. As mandated by the health and safety law regulations 1928.28(a), “The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees”. As per the mandate, the employer/organization is responsible for providing the PPE free of any charge to all the employees and also having an appropriate PPE program in place that accounts for the right guidelines and training to use the PPE.
Reducing the risks of any work-related damages, injuries or illnesses is of course primary on the list of benefits of using appropriate PPE. Beyond that, however, there are several other benefits for the workers as well as the employers:
- Reduction in workplace injuries, illnesses, and/or fatalities
- Reduction in downtime due to any work-related sickness
- Increase in employee satisfaction and loyalty as well as a reduction in staff attrition
- Avoidance of any litigations or lawsuits that may arise as a result of any injuries, illnesses, and/or fatalities
Who needs to use PPE?
Different industries require the appropriate provision of PPE for the workers. Top among them include:
- Medical care providers and frontline healthcare workers
- Law enforcement personnel such as police officers
- Armed forces personnel
- Firefighters
- Workers in chemical factories and laboratories
- Workers in factories, mines, construction sites, etc.
As per the industry requirement and the possibility of damage or injury, the chosen PPE needs to be durable and functional in order to serve the said purpose. Adherence to specific industry standards becomes crucial to ensure that the proper guidelines are also in place.
Additionally, employers need to also make sure of the following while creating a standardized PPE program for their employees:
- Well-fitted and comfortable PPE is given to the employees.
- The PPE is regularly inspected for quality and the right measures are taken to maintain them.
- A proper PPE program is drafted to educate and train the employees on PPE importance and usage.
- Yearly audits are conducted to check for the efficacy of the PPE provided, to provision replacements where required and also to ensure appropriate disposal.
Where can i get the right PPE
PPE is a part of a line of control measures that all organizations have to provide to their employees in order to mitigate all or any work-related hazards. You can collaborate with specialized suppliers of PPE such as Boss & Hughes, operating in Houston, Texas, to create a specific list of PPEs that you require for your organization. For more information on how to obtain bulk quantities of PPE such as personalized face masks and K95 masks, hand sanitizer gels, PPE kits, protective coveralls, isolation gowns, professional disinfectants, thermometers, countertop barriers, personal spacing discs, disposable gloves and shields.
FAQS
PPE is broadly classified as protection for the head, eyes and ears, respiratory and hearing, and body. Different types of PPE equipment fall broadly under these classifications, while specific industries and workplaces may also have additional and specialized PPE as per requirement.
As per the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), a personal protective equipment assessment is an evaluation of the workplace to help determine the hazards your employees may be exposed to and the PPE that they need to protect themselves.
An assessment should include information on the following: jobs of the employees, hazards they are exposed to, possible locations of the hazards, the likelihood of their occurrence, the possible severity of the potential injuries, types of PPE required to protect the employees from these hazards.
Hand hygiene is also considered an important aspect in the prevention of potential exposure to infectious diseases. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are known to prevent the transfer of bacteria and viruses between people when used in the right manner. In fact, PPE is also designed to be used along with alcohol-based hand sanitizers to arrest the spread of infections.
PPE should be used when employees face imminent threats or hazards at their workplace – viral or bacterial infections, chemical spillage, falls, burns, lacerations, etc. – which pose a significant risk to their health or person. All organizations are mandated by law to provide industry-appropriate PPE to their employees.
Some of the most commonly used PPE include goggles, visors, and shields for eye protection; gloves and barrier creams for hand protection; and shoes and boots for foot protection.
Disposable Nitrile Gloves
- Box of 100
- Non Sterile, Latex Free
- Waterproof
- Be used for Food factory, Bakery, Massage Shop, Restaurant, work and more
- SIZE: M, L & XL
Sanitizer Wipes
SIMPLE • EFFECTIVE • EASY TO USE
24 packs of 60 wipes each;
- GUR1431
- SWEET CAREFOR®
- 75% Alcohol, Antibacterial Wipes
- 60 Wipes/Pack
- 24 Packs/Carton
Suitable for cleansing and hygiene for hospital medical and nursing staff. Publicareas, household, personal care, and surfaces for hygiene and disinfection.
Disposable Face Shield
Use this disposable anti-fog face shield, designed for protection along with and comfort. This is an excellent protection against potential contamination from blood pathogens, body fluids, or harmful chemical splash.
Lorell Blue 6 Feet Printed Personal Spacing Disks
6 / Pack – Vinyl – Clear, White, Blue
- Clearly shows how to maintain required 6′ distance from others
- Easily repositions; safe for use on tile and hard floor surfaces
- Durable for use in customer lines
- Stays in place with SuperGrip coating
- Easy to clean
Lorell Red Feet Personal Spacing Discs
6 / Pack – Vinyl – Clear, White, Red
- Shows how to distance from others
- Easily repositions; safe for use on tile and hard floor surfaces
- Durable for use in customer lines
- Stays in place with SuperGrip coating
- Easy to clean
Countertop Barriers
Freestanding, easy to move and reposition in a varietyof countertop settings
3/16” thick acrylic for clarity and durability
Packed one per cartonLarge
Large Acrylic Countertop
Barrier
31.75”W x 36”H x 6”D
Pass-through window opening is 22”W x 5”H
Standard Acrylic Countertop Barrier
27”W x 24”H x 6”D
Pass-through window opening is 22”W x 5”H
Wide Base Acrylic Countertop Barrier
31”W x 23”H x 14”D
Full shield design
Other Offerings
Delivery within 5 business days
Fast service across the US
Smaller Quantities available upon request
Hand Sanitizers Gel 8.4 oz
8oz gel with flip top 75% Alcohol content
Hand Sanitizers Gel 16.9 oz
16oz gel with flip top 16.9 Alcohol content
KN-95 Mask
FDA Approved
Disposable Medical Mask
3-layer, level 2
Disposable Procedure
3-layer Mask
contact measurement, there is no need to worry about infection. You can use it more safety and it’s also suitable for multiple people.
FDA Certified
Professional Lysol Spring Disninfectant Spray
- 0.15 gal (19 fl oz each) Aerosol
- Spring Waterfall Scent
Kills 99.9% of germs on hard, nonporous surfaces when used as directed
Tuberculocidal, fungicidal, virucidal and bactericidal; effective against more than 100 microorganisms
Custom Cloth Face Mask
cotton. Machine washable.
Isolation Gown
Color: Blue/Yellow/White/Green
Style: Knitted cuffs, tie on the collar & waist
Size: L 115*137cm and XL 120*140cm
Packing: 10pcs per bag and 100pcs/ctn,
Carton size: 65*28*31cm
Certification,CE ,ISO 13485, FDA Class IDesigned for isolation use Good performance of water-repellent, anti micro-dust,anti-spray.
Protective Suite Coverall
Qty. in Hand: 1500
Size Available: 3 XL only
Colors available: Mix between White and Blue
Packaging Type: 25 packed zin Master CaseIn
Masks comes in packs of 50/100, with 10/20 packs per carton for a total of 1000 pcs per box.
All ORDER are FINAL – NO Returns or Exchanges.
Quoted transit times are subject to delay due to global pandemic
To place Order, Please Call 713-664-9829 or email csr@bosshughes.com