Personal Protective Equipment - Essay Example

199). Workplace is surrounded by a number of hazards that may pose risk or injury or illness to the people working around. Chemical substances, mechanical abrasion, noise, heat, flying particles and radiation are few of the threats found at workplace (Talty, 1988, p.801). Some exposures cause minor loss while a lot of other risks may cause serious injuries. Companies can avoid potential risks by planning and setting up engineering controls to reduce risks at workplace. They can do so by installing automated or more efficient equipment, walling equipment and installing ventilation.

Companies can also reduce risk through administrative control. They can limit an employee’s working hours in a certain area or make changes in working procedures (AIHA Protective Clothing and Equipment Committee, 2005, p. 1). Personal protective equipment protects against potential hazards at workplace yet it may be insufficient for many hazards. The limitations prevent it from giving complete protection and security to workers. One problem is effectiveness. Particular personal protective equipment may not be effective in all situations.

For example, some respirators protect against particular gases only and not against all injurious gases. Some gloves are not effective in some chemicals. Mishandling of some equipment may be life threatening while in case of others it may not (Brauer, 2006, pp. 513 - 514). Hence, there must be specialized equipment for each special situation to overcome the associated risks. Secondly, equipment does not fit the user. The equipment must fit the user in order to be effective. For example, poorly adjusted gloves or hard hats or respirators may not protect the user well, therefore may cause injury (Brauer, 2006, pp.

513 - 514). Unfit equipment also discourages the usage of equipment and hence leads to harm. Thirdly,