1.1 PPEs

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the clothing and gear a worker wears to reduce the risk of injury, illness or contamination while working. In a fashion accessories workshop the hazards are real but often underestimated: needles and pins, sharp scissors and rotary cutters, hot irons, fabric dust and lint, spray adhesives, dyes, and heavy objects that can fall on the feet. PPE does not remove these hazards, but it places a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Example: a trainee at a vocational training centre making felt hats who wears an apron, a thimble and a face mask is far less likely to suffer a needle prick, a stained garment or irritated airways than one who wears none.

1.1.1 Types of PPE

PPE is grouped by the part of the body it protects. Knowing the groups helps a worker choose the right item for each hazard, instead of wearing one item for every task. The table below sets out the types used in a fashion accessories workshop and the main hazard each one guards against.

Apron

An apron is a loose garment tied at the neck and waist, or at the waist only, that covers the front of the body over everyday clothes. It protects the wearer's clothes and skin from chalk, glue, dye, paint, thread ends and stray pins. Most workshop aprons have front pockets for items used constantly, such as tailor's chalk, a tape measure, a seam ripper and a pin cushion, so the hands are free and sharp items are not left lying about. Example: a group making beaded jewellery in a small workshop wear aprons with deep pockets to hold needles, beading wire and clasps, which keeps small sharp items off the work table.

Dust coat

A dust coat is a long-sleeved, knee-length or longer coat, usually of cotton or a cotton blend, worn over ordinary clothes. Unlike an apron, it covers the arms and the back as well as the front. This makes it the better choice when cutting and handling fabrics that shed fibres, such as fleece, felt, fur fabric and heavily napped cloth, because it stops lint and dust settling on clothing and skin. A light colour shows dirt clearly, which reminds the wearer when it needs washing. Example: in the cutting room of a hat-making workshop, the cutters wear white dust coats so that fibre dust from felt does not travel on their clothes to the finishing area.

Face mask

A face mask is a covering for the nose and mouth that filters the air the worker breathes. In accessories work it is used mainly as a dust mask against fabric lint, fibre dust, sanding or buffing dust from leather and shoe soles, and fumes or mist from spray adhesives, fixatives and some dyes. It must fit snugly over the nose and mouth with no gaps at the edges, and it must be suitable for the hazard: a plain cloth or surgical-type mask stops large particles, while vapours need a mask designed for them. Example: a worker in a leather bag workshop puts on a mask before buffing the edges of straps, so that fine leather dust is not inhaled.

Thimble

A thimble is a small, hard, cup-shaped cover worn on the finger that pushes the needle during hand sewing. It is normally worn on the middle finger of the sewing hand, where it takes the pressure of pushing a needle through thick or tough materials such as leather, canvas, interfacing layers and stiffened fabric. Thimbles are made of metal, plastic or leather, and some tailors prefer an open-ended (ring) type so that long nails are not trapped. A thimble must fit snugly but not tightly: if it is too loose it falls off, and if it is too tight it restricts blood flow. Example: a trainee at a county polytechnic stitching a padded belt by hand uses a metal thimble so that the needle can be driven through many layers without hurting the finger.

Gloves

Gloves protect the hands from cuts, burns, chemicals, dirt and friction. The type of glove is chosen to match the task: cut-resistant gloves for work with rotary cutters, craft knives and leather skiving blades; heat-resistant gloves or mitts for handling hot irons, glue guns and heat-setting equipment; and rubber or nitrile gloves for dyeing, bleaching and handling adhesives and solvents. Gloves that are too thick reduce feeling in the fingers, so they are not suitable for fine tasks such as threading needles. Example: workers in an accessories workshop who dye cotton scarves wear rubber gloves so that the dye does not stain or irritate their skin.

Low heeled closed shoes

Low heeled closed shoes cover the whole foot and have a heel only slightly raised from the ground. Because the toes and top of the foot are covered, they protect against dropped scissors, loose pins, needles, hot iron drips and heavy rolls of cloth. The low heel gives balance when standing for long periods at a cutting table and allows the foot to press a machine pedal with steady, even control. Sandals, open-toed shoes and high heels are unsafe in a workshop because they expose the foot and increase the risk of slipping and tripping. Example: in a school fashion and design room, learners must change into closed flat shoes before using the sewing machines and pressing area.

Hair and eye protection

Hair and eye protection are also used in many workshops. A cap or tied-back hair keeps hair out of a sewing machine's moving parts and away from glue. Safety glasses are worn when cutting hard materials, punching or riveting, and when splashes are likely.

Choosing the right type of PPE

The following points guide the choice of the right type for a task:

• Identify the hazard first: decide whether the danger is a sharp object, heat, dust, a chemical or a falling load before choosing any item.
• Match the item to the hazard: a dust mask will not protect against solvent vapour, and a cotton glove will not stop a blade.
• Check the fit: PPE that is too large, too small or loose can itself cause an accident or fail to protect.
• Consider comfort and movement: the item should allow the fine finger and hand movements that accessory making demands.
• Combine items where needed: most tasks need more than one type, for example an apron, mask and gloves together when spraying adhesive on a bag panel.

1.1.2 Use, care and storage of PPE

PPE protects only when it is worn correctly, kept clean and in good condition, and stored where it will not be damaged or contaminated. Worn-out or dirty PPE can give a false sense of safety and may even spread dirt or chemicals to the skin. Good habits in use, care and storage also make equipment last longer, which saves the workshop money.

Use of PPE

Follow these steps each time you work in the workshop:

1. Assess the task and the hazards involved, for example cutting leather, pressing with a hot iron or spraying adhesive.
2. Select the PPE that matches those hazards, using the table of types in Types of PPE.
3. Inspect each item before wearing it. Look for holes, tears, cracked soles, a dented thimble or a clogged mask, and replace anything damaged.
4. Put on the items in a sensible order: dust coat or apron first, then the face mask, then gloves, and fit the thimble on the sewing finger. Tie back long hair before starting.
5. Adjust each item so it fits properly: the mask sealed over nose and mouth, apron strings secure, and sleeves not hanging near the machine needle.
6. Wear the PPE for the whole task and do not remove it until the hazard has ended, for example until the spray fumes have cleared.
7. Remove the items carefully after work, taking off gloves so that the outside surface does not touch bare skin, and then wash your hands.
8. Report any lost or damaged PPE to the supervisor so that it is replaced before the next task.

Care of PPE

• Aprons and dust coats: wash regularly with soap and water, rinse well and dry fully. Mend small tears and loose pockets or ties immediately.
• Face masks: discard disposable masks when they are damp, dirty or hard to breathe through. Reusable masks should have filters changed as the maker advises and be cleaned according to instructions.
• Thimbles: wipe clean and dry after use to remove sweat and dirt. Check for dents or sharp edges that could cut the finger.
• Gloves: wash or wipe off dye, glue and dust after use, and let them dry inside and out. Throw away gloves with holes, cuts or sticky, cracked surfaces.
• Shoes: brush off dust and wipe clean, and check the soles for wear so that grip is not lost.
• Personal items: do not share masks, thimbles and gloves between workers where hygiene is a concern, because sweat and skin contact can spread infections.

Storage of PPE

• Clean and dry first: always store PPE after it has been cleaned and dried completely, because damp items grow mould and smell.
• Keep to a fixed place: hang aprons and dust coats on hooks and keep other items in a labelled cupboard or locker so they can be found quickly.
• Protect from sunlight and heat: sunlight and heat make rubber and plastic gloves brittle and fade fabrics, so store them in a cool, shaded place.
• Keep away from chemicals: do not place PPE next to dyes, solvents or adhesives, which can damage it or leave residues.
• Store small items safely: keep thimbles in a small box or pouch and masks in a clean sealed bag so that they do not collect dust.
• Separate clean from dirty: keep used PPE waiting for washing apart from clean items. Example: in a workshop making sisal bags, worn dust coats are placed in a labelled bin by the door and clean ones hang on a separate rail.