Personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed by workers to maintain security and safety in a risky work environment. This is because There are many potency hazards in the work environment, for example falling object heavy, terinjured byproduction machine, orexposed chemical material.
Companies need to implement controls to help workers avoid injury, illness, and other potential hazards in the work environment. To protect workers from hazards in the workplace, companies also need to create a safe and healthy work environment.
Control Potency Hazards in the Work Environment
The best way to control potential hazards in the workplace is to control them at their source. This can be done by the company by managing or eliminating the source of the hazard as much as possible. Some of the things companies can do are:
- Eliminate, replace, or redesign factors that could be sources of potential hazards.
- Replacing or modifying hazardous equipment and materials.
- Change the way and process of work.
If some of the steps above cannot provide sufficient protection for workers, then the company is obliged to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize risks and potential hazards in the work environment.
Companies must also provide workers with a good understanding and insight about the consequences of potential hazards that can occur in the workplace. Workers must also understand how to control these hazards.
RI Law No. 1 of 1970 concerning work safety has regulated the company's obligation to maintain the safety of its workers. There are several things that companies must do under the law, including:
- Conduct a potential hazard assessment in the work environment to identify and control hazards to worker health and safety.
- Provide appropriate PPE for workers and train workers in the use and care of PPE.
- Maintain PPE (including replacing damaged PPE) periodically, review, update, and evaluate the effectiveness of the PPE use program.
The Importance of Using Personal Protective Equipment
according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), personal protective equipment is equipment used to protect workers from accidents or diseases caused by contact or exposure to potential hazards in the work environment, whether physical, chemical, or biological.
PPE is needed to protect workers if there are emergency response hazards or exposure to potential physical, chemical and biological hazards. Routes of exposure include inhalation, skin, mouth (oral), and mucous membranes (eg through eyes or open wounds). Therefore, the use of PPE is adjusted to the potential hazards that exist in the workplace.
The types of personal protective equipment needed in the work environment vary, depending on the activities carried out and the types of hazards in the work environment. Some examples of personal protective equipment are gloves, safety shoes, protective eyewear, protective clothing, ear protection (ear muffs, ear plugs), helmets, and masks.
In order to maintain security and safety in the work environment, workers are also required to understand how to use PPE properly, attend training on the use of PPE, maintain cleanliness and maintenance of PPE, and notify supervisors if PPE is not functioning properly.
Self-protection while working is very important to note. Otherwise, work-related injuries or illnesses can cause serious health problems, disability, and even death. If you experience health complaints related to your work, immediately consult a doctor.
Written by:
dr. Puti Dwi Ginanti, SpOk(Occupational Medicine Specialist)
