Personal Protective Equipment By Jinjiuyi

Before touching the mask, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Remove the straps from behind the head or ears, without touching the front of the mask. As you remove the mask, lean forward and pull the mask away from your face. Medical masks are for single use only; discard the mask immediately, preferably into a closed bin. Clean your hands after touching the mask. Be aware of the condition of the mask; replace it if it gets soiled or damp.

Before touching the mask, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Inspect the mask for tears or holes; do not use a mask that has previously been worn or is damaged. Verify which side is the top – this is usually where the metal strip is. Then, identify the inside of the mask, which is usually the white side. Place the mask on your face covering your nose, mouth and chin, making sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Place the straps behind the head or ears. Pinch the metal strip so it moulds to the shape of your nose. Remember, do not touch the front of the mask while using it to avoid contamination; if you accidentally touch it, clean your hands.

Eyes Hazards Chemical or metal splash, dust, projectiles, gas and vapour, radiation Options Safety spectacles, goggles, face screens, faceshields, visors Note Make sure the eye protection chosen has the right combination of impact/dust/splash/molten metal eye protection for the task and fits the user properly Head and neck Hazards Impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair getting tangled in machinery, chemical drips or splash, climate or temperature Options Industrial safety helmets, bump caps, hairnets and firefighters' helmets Note Some safety helmets incorporate or can be fitted with specially-designed eye or hearing protection Don't forget neck protection, eg scarves for use during welding Replace head protection if it is damaged Ears Hazards Noise – a combination of sound level and duration of exposure, very high-level sounds are a hazard even with short duration Options Earplugs, earmuffs, semi-insert/canal caps Note Provide the right hearing protectors for the type of work, and make sure workers know how to fit them Choose protectors that reduce noise to an acceptable level, while allowing for safety and communication Hands and arms Hazards Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals, electric shock, radiation, biological agents and prolonged immersion in water Options Gloves, gloves with a cuff, gauntlets and sleeving that covers part or all of the arm Note Avoid gloves when operating machines such as bench drills where the gloves might get caught Some materials are quickly penetrated by chemicals – take care in selection, see HSE’s skin at work website Barrier creams are unreliable and are no substitute for proper PPE Wearing gloves for long periods can make the skin hot and sweaty, leading to skin problems. Using separate cotton inner gloves can help prevent this. Feet and legs Hazards Wet, hot and cold conditions, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and punctures, falling objects, heavy loads, metal and chemical splash, vehicles Options Safety boots and shoes with protective toecaps and penetration-resistant, mid-sole wellington boots and specific footwear, eg foundry boots and chainsaw boots Note Footwear can have a variety of sole patterns and materials to help prevent slips in different conditions, including oil - or chemical-resistant soles. It can also be anti-static, electrically conductive or thermally insulating Appropriate footwear should be selected for the risks identified Lungs Hazards Oxygen-deficient atmospheres, dusts, gases and vapours Options – respiratory protective equipment (RPE) Some respirators rely on filtering contaminants from workplace air. These include simple filtering facepieces and respirators and power-assisted respirators Make sure it fits properly, eg for tight-fitting respirators (filtering facepieces, half and full masks) There are also types of breathing apparatus which give an independent supply of breathable air, eg fresh-air hose, compressed airline and self-contained breathing apparatus Note The right type of respirator filter must be used as each is effective for only a limited range of substances Filters have only a limited life. Where there is a shortage of oxygen or any danger of losing consciousness due to exposure to high levels of harmful fumes, only use breathing apparatus – never use a filtering cartridge You will need to use breathing apparatus in a confined space or if there is a chance of an oxygen deficiency in the work area If you are using respiratory protective equipment, look at HSE’s publication Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide Whole body Hazards Heat, chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns, contaminated dust, impact or penetration, excessive wear or entanglement of own clothing Options Conventional or disposable overalls, boiler suits, aprons, chemical suits Note The choice of materials includes flame-retardant, anti-static, chain mail, chemically impermeable, and high-visibility Don't forget other protection, like safety harnesses or life jackets

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits. What can be done to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment? All personal protective equipment should be safely designed and constructed, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit comfortably, encouraging worker use. If the personal protective equipment does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. When engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment to their workers and ensure its proper use. Employers are also required to train each worker required to use personal protective equipment to know: When it is necessary What kind is necessary How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off The limitations of the equipment Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment If PPE is to be used, a PPE program should be implemented. This program should address the hazards present; the selection, maintenance, and use of PPE; the training of employees; and monitoring of the program to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.

No, WHO does not recommend the use of masks with exhalation valves. These masks are intended for industrial workers to prevent dust and particles from being breathed in as the valve closes on inhale. However, the valve opens on exhale making it easier to breathe but also allowing any virus to funnel through the valve opening.

Masks are a key measure to suppress transmission and save lives. Masks reduce potential exposure risk from an infected person whether they have symptoms or not. People wearing masks are protected from getting infected. Masks also prevent onward transmission when worn by a person who is infected. Masks should be used when you are in public area.

Medical masks (also known as surgical masks) Composition: Made of three layers of synthetic nonwoven materials Configured to have filtration layers sandwiched in the middle. Available in different thicknesses. Have various levels of fluid-resistance and filtration.