During the development of risk control measures the hierarchy of controls is used to help minimise reliance on Administrative Controls and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), however often PPE will be utilised to control a risk.
Prior to commencement of work, a risk assessment will be undertaken and all appropriate PPE should be clearly identified for the work task. This may be listed as risk control measures in the relevant HRCW SWMS or SWPs. Work site rules may also require workers to wear/carry certain PPE when on site regardless of performing a work task or not. The supervisor and workers will discuss the work scope and individual work roles to ensure that the appropriate protective equipment is available on site for their use (eg for the type of electrical work).
Equipment may include, and is discussed further below:
- Head protection – Safety helmet, caps and/or other bump hats
- Foot protection – Steel capped safety footwear
- Approved eye protection (glasses and/or goggles)
- Face protection
- Gloves
- Long sleeved cotton shirts and long cotton trousers when working de-energised and verified.
- Arc rated clothing worn neck to wrist to ankle when working on or near energised conductors.
- High visibility garments, e.g. vests
- Overalls, coveralls and/or dust coats
- Approved respirators or masks, as required
- Knee pads as required
- Hearing protection
- Sun screen (SPF30+ or higher, broad-spectrum)
- Harnesses and equipment, for fall protection and rescue
- Insulated mats
- Insulated shields
Note: A number of items of PPE are made and tested to Australian Standards; others can be to equivalent standards. PPE that is not designated as meeting a recognised Standard may be unreliable in service, as its performance may be unknown.
PPE is required at every high risk workplace. Steel cap boots, hard hats, eye protection, gloves and high-viz vests are commonly the minimum requirement for entry to a construction site. PPE shall be available to and worn by personnel as required by company policy, SWMSs and SWPs. Workers are to maintain and store equipment in sound condition. Any safety equipment that shows signs of wear or deterioration is to be inspected by a suitably qualified person and repaired or replaced if required.
Use of PPE
Each employee will be instructed and/or trained in the correct use and care of each PPE item prior to use and it must be worn in accordance with site requirements and procedures. Any breach in compliance with the use and wearing of PPE may result in disciplinary action.
Be aware of personal requirements for your job at each workplace:
Skin Protection: Skin protection creams (SPF30+, or higher) should be applied to protect against UV Rays when working in open sunny workplaces. Reapply every 2-3 hours and wear long sleeve shirts, pants and appropriate head wear for best protection. Appropriate UV rated safety glasses should also be worn outdoors on sunny days.
A solvent resistant or water-resistant barrier cream should be applied to protect the hands and exposed skin areas when working with some paints, solvents, greases, oils, inks, and similar hazardous substances. Solvent free hand cleansers should be used in preference to harsh soaps.
Arc flash: Refer to Arc Flash Protection.
Wet Weather Clothing: Raincoats and other protective garments should be worn if required to work in the wet.
Winter Jackets: Warm clothing should be worn in cold working conditions.
Foot Protection: Safety footwear complying with AS2210.1 is to be worn or enclosed shoes may be suitable in some workplaces. Sandals and thongs are not permitted.
Head Protection: A safety helmet is an expectation on all construction sites and is also compulsory at many other workplaces. Metal helmets are prohibited. Hard hats or bump hats should be secured when at risk of falls from heights.
Hand Protection: Safety gloves of appropriate protective material are to be worn when handling armoured cables, sharp or hot materials, chemicals or dangerous liquids. Gloves may not be appropriate when doing fine work in protected areas.
Insulated Gloves: Approved type Insulating Gloves should be worn when working near exposed low voltage energised circuits and equipment (s9.11). Such gloves must be air-tested daily prior to use by simply rolling the gloves from the cuff to force air into the fingers.
Hearing Protection: Earmuffs or ear plugs must be used where there is loud or high frequency noise.
Jewellery: Jewellery items that are conductive or may become entangled are not to be worn. This includes metallic belts, large belt buckles, dangling keys, rings, neck chains, bracelets, metal watchstraps and the like. All client directions pertaining to jewellery are to be followed.
Respiratory Protection: Respirators or dust masks are to be worn when carrying out tasks that create respirable dust, fibres or fumes, and when handling certain chemicals or working in dusty environments. Self-contained breathing apparatus or similar protective devices are also required in certain chemical production areas and some confined spaces.
The most common respirators/masks are for dust. Particulate filters rely on electro-statically charged fibres to trap particulates within the filter media. AS/NZS1715 selection and use, and AS/NZS1716 classification system has three P levels with both P1 and P2 being suitable for most construction activities, including minor asbestos work:
P1 – Particles generated by mechanical processes (>1 micron), e.g. grinding, sanding, drilling, cutting, sawing, crushing, etc.
P2 – Sub-micron particles for mechanical (i.e. P1), thermal (e.g. welding fume) and specific infection control (e.g. SARS, TB).
P3 – for very high particle protection levels, e.g. toxic materials like beryllium, radioactive particles – “gas mask”.
Facial fit is a prime factor in obtaining good protection – a P3 filter half facemask provides no greater protection than a P2 or P1 used against mechanically generated particles. Also, any beard or hair that interferes with the face seal will negate all protection – either get rid of the beard, use positive pressure full face mask or don’t do the work.
Gas and vapour filters rely on sorbent material (typically treated carbon grain/ charcoal) to “soak up” specific gases or vapours, depending on the treatment. These filters and masks need to be selected to suit the application and you may need a pressurised system.
Eye and Face Protection: Safety glasses or goggles are required to be worn for particular jobs, and in addition to eye protection, face protection is also required in jobs involving high speed abrasive cutting wheels and grinders, as follows:
Appropriate eye protection must be worn for the following jobs:
a) When working overhead – drilling, or similar operations.
b) Electric arc and gas welding.
c) Oxy-acetylene cutting of steel and other materials.
d) Using explosive powered tools
e) Striking of masonry nails by hand or power tools.
f) Drilling, chipping or breaking of brick, block, tile, stone, concrete, plaster or similar materials.
g) Working adjacent to others carrying out any of these jobs.
h) Working in windy and dusty environments.
i) Any use of angle grinders, disc cutters, diamond cutting saws or other high-speed abrasive cutting wheels.
j) Use and dressing of abrasive wheels on grinders.
Note: It may also be necessary to wear respiratory and hearing protection while operating these power tools.
k) Working on live switchboards and equipment with high fault current potential, i.e. with the risk of electric arc flash (see above).
l) When it is a site requirement to wear eye protection, e.g. under safety management plan, unless it is unsafe to do so.
Safety equipment
There are several applications where additional safety equipment is required for the protection of workers. Common among these is protection when working at height and in confined spaces. Recovery devices must be immediately available when working in elevated positions or significant depth, including under-water operations.
Fall Protection: An approved fall protection device consisting of a full body safety harness, with a shock-absorbing lanyard or inertia reel must be worn. Do not replace harness for body belt. It must also be securely attached to an appropriate anchorage at all times, when working in “unprotected” elevated positions above ground level or safe working platform/floor level, or any other location where it is possible to fall and be injured.
Special harnesses have been designed for particular applications, including a harness to secure the wearer while climbing and working from a ladder, a harness to support the wearer in a sitting position while carrying out up-the-pole work, or a recovery harness for down-the-hole workers. Refer also to Chapter 8, Working at heights.
Individual fall-arrest and fall restraint systems rely on workers wearing and using them correctly, and workers who will use such a system must be trained in its safe use. Work at heights training is recommended for all workers.
NOTE: Safety belts are not to be used in these situations. Secure your hard/bump hat and ensure that rescue procedures are in place. Always consider “if I do fall” can I and how will I be rescued.
Chemical Protection: Always read the SDS prior to handling chemicals. Safety shower units or eye/face wash units are required to be located in areas in which certain chemicals are handled and stored. Know where these are located before you commence work.