1.1 Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any clothing or device worn by a worker to reduce the risk of injury, illness or exposure to hazards that cannot be removed completely by safer methods of work. On a farm, in a workshop or on a building site, PPE stands between the worker's body and dust, chemicals, sharp edges, noise, heat, falling objects and sun. It is the last line of defence: good planning, guards on machines and safe working methods come first, and PPE protects the worker when some risk remains. Example: a worker pruning trees in a mango orchard who has been trained to use a pruning saw safely still wears gloves and boots in case the blade slips or the ground is wet.

1.1.1 PPE requirements

PPE requirements describe which items a worker must wear for a given job, and what qualities those items must have to give real protection. The choice depends on the hazards identified in the task: a person weeding in a vegetable plot needs different protection from one mixing pesticides or cutting timber. Protection is only effective when the PPE is right for the hazard, fits the wearer and is in good condition.

The table below shows the main items used in farm, workshop, carpentry and masonry work.

General requirements for effective PPE

• Suitable for the hazard: The item must be designed for the specific danger. A cotton glove stops thorns but does not stop pesticide soaking through to the skin.
• Correct fit and size: Loose gloves slip off tools, and boots that are too large cause trips. Each worker needs PPE that fits his or her own body.
• Comfortable and not a hazard in itself: PPE that is too hot, heavy or restricting will be taken off. Loose straps and dangling sleeves can catch in moving parts.
• Provided by the employer and replaced when worn: The farm, workshop or site owner should supply the PPE needed and replace damaged items, so workers are not left to protect themselves with improvised clothing.
• Clean and in good condition: Cracked goggles, torn gloves and split boots give a false sense of safety and must not be used.
• Used together with training: Workers must know when to wear each item, how to put it on and take it off, and the limits of the protection it gives.
• Compatible with other items: Goggles, mask and hat must work together without gaps. A mask that pushes goggles away from the face leaves the eyes unprotected.

1.1.2 Importance of PPE

PPE matters because many farm and workshop injuries happen in seconds and cannot be undone: a lost eye, a crushed toe, a chemical burn or permanent hearing loss. Wearing the right equipment keeps workers healthy and productive, and it also protects the business from the cost of accidents. Example: in a greenhouse flower farm, a worker who mixes and sprays a fungicide avoids skin burns, eye injury and inhaled mist by wearing gloves, boots, goggles and a respirator.

• Prevents injuries: Boots, gloves, helmets and goggles absorb or deflect the force of cuts, blows, punctures and flying particles before they reach the body.
• Protects against long-term illness: Masks, ear protection and chemical-resistant gloves reduce repeated exposure to dust, spray, noise and fumes, which cause breathing problems, skin disease and hearing damage over the years.
• Protects against chemical poisoning: Pesticides, fertilisers, veterinary drugs and cement can enter through skin, eyes or lungs. Correct PPE blocks these routes of entry.
• Reduces loss of working time and cost: Fewer accidents mean fewer days lost, lower medical bills and less compensation. A farm that loses a skilled tractor operator for weeks pays far more than the cost of a pair of gloves.
• Maintains productivity and confidence: Workers who feel safe work more steadily and carefully. Protection from sun, mud and cold also lets them keep working in difficult conditions.
• Meets safe working practice and shows good management: Providing and enforcing PPE shows that an employer takes workers' welfare seriously and follows accepted workplace safety practice.
• Sets an example: Supervisors and trainers who wear PPE show students and new workers that safety is part of the job, not an optional extra.

1.1.3 Uses and care

PPE only protects when it is worn correctly for the right task and kept in good condition. Each item has a particular use, and its life depends on how it is cleaned, checked and stored after work. Example: at a training farm, learners spraying a vegetable plot put on overalls, boots, gloves, mask and goggles before mixing, and wash the same items before leaving the site.

Correct use of PPE

1. Identify the hazards of the task. Check what will be handled, such as chemicals, timber or sharp tools, and list the PPE needed before starting.
2. Inspect each item before wearing it. Look for cracks, holes, torn stitching, worn soles, loose straps and blocked filters, and replace anything damaged.
3. Put the items on in a sensible order. Wear overalls and boots first, then mask, goggles and hat, and gloves last. Pull trouser legs over the boots when working with liquids so they cannot run inside.
4. Check the fit. The mask should seal on the face, goggles should sit snugly without gaps, and gloves should reach over the cuffs of the overalls (when spraying overhead, wear the sleeves over the gloves).
5. Wear the PPE for the whole task. Do not remove the mask or gloves briefly "just to finish," because exposure often happens in those moments.
6. Take the PPE off carefully. Wash the gloves with soap and water while still wearing them, take off the goggles, mask and overalls without touching their contaminated outside, and remove the gloves last by peeling them inside out. Wash hands and face afterwards.
7. Report faults. Tell the supervisor about damaged or missing items so they can be repaired or replaced before the next job.

Care of PPE

• Cleaning after use: Wash gumboots, rubber gloves and goggles with clean water and soap. Rinse chemical-contaminated items thoroughly and never wash them in a stream or water source used by people or animals.
• Washing overalls: Wash work clothes separately from household clothes, especially after chemical work, so residues do not spread.
• Drying: Dry items in shade or a ventilated place. Direct hot sun can harden rubber, crack plastic and fade fabric.
• Regular inspection: Check items at set times as well as before use. Replace goggles with scratched lenses, boots with worn soles and filters that are clogged or past their working life.
• Proper storage: Keep PPE in a clean, dry, labelled cupboard or on hooks, away from chemicals, fuel and sharp tools. Hang gloves open and store masks in a sealed bag so they stay clean.
• Handling disposable items: Throw away single-use masks and gloves after use or when contaminated, in the way recommended for the site, and do not reuse them.
• Personal items: Where possible, each worker should have his or her own mask, goggles and ear protection. Items that must be shared should be cleaned before the next person uses them.