Safety Campaign
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety campaign
In aligning with the Culture of Care plan, The PPE Safety Campaign was started within the faculty of engineering with the goal to increase the use of personal protective equipment within the faculty. Posts were made to Instagram with the goal of informing workers of the use, importance and critical information regarding the use of PPE.
These posts were later adapted as posters and as slides to be shown on the TV's throughout the Faculty of Engineering.
PPE Only Works if you Wear it
For each hazard present in the workplace, there is appropriate PPE. Each piece of equipment has its own unique purpose, to protect a part of your body. Some standard PPE include:
- Safety helmets: protect the user from head injuries usually caused by falling objects.
- Safety glasses: prevent any debris or foreign objects from damaging the user’s vision.
- Ear muffs/plugs: protect the user from noise-induced hearing loss.
- Masks/respirators: protect the user from the inhalation of contaminated air.
- Gloves: act as a barrier between the user’s hands and any toxic materials.
- Lab coats: protect the user’s skin from any accidental spill or exposure to harmful materials.
- Steel toe boots: protect the user’s feet from being crushed or impaled by any heavy or sharp, falling objects.
Don’t be Hasty When it Comes to Safety — Wear the Correct Glove
One of the most frequently used PPE in the workplace is safety gloves. A common misconception with safety gloves is that there exists a general glove that works in all scenarios or can protect against all chemicals. This is not true! For each glove material, there is a degradation and permeation breakthrough time. Degradation is the reduction in physical properties of the gloves’ materials as a result of contact with a chemical. Permeation is the process in which a chemical passes through a protective film without going through any visible openings.
Considering these two factors and the chemicals being used, the appropriate safety glove can be selected. There are many resources readily available online, such as a ‘Glove Selection Chart’, that can significantly help in choosing the suitable safety glove.
Lab Coats: Safety in Every Stitch
In engineering, lab coats are more than just a uniform — they’re essential PPE. They safeguard your health and safety, shielding you from hazardous chemicals, biological agents, and unexpected spills, while providing a potentially life-saving barrier between you and possible contaminants. Their design for durability and protection allows them to keep harmful substances away from your skin and personal clothing preventing any accidental exposure. Beyond their practical benefits, lab coats also symbolize professionalism and a commitment to safety.
There are many different types of lab coats each designed for a specific working environment. Some of these include flame-resistant lab coats, chemical-resistant lab coats, and radiation protection lab coats. When selecting an appropriate lab coat, it is important to consider the setting of your work, the equipment being used, and the materials you are exposed to.
Regardless of the type of lab coat, they are all easily vulnerable to becoming filthy. A clean lab coat symbolizes the researcher’s commitment to meticulousness and helps to minimize any chances of cross-contamination. If a lab coat becomes soiled, it should either be disposed of through Chematix or laundered through an appropriate cleaning company.
Safety glasses: Protecting your vision
In the dynamic world of engineering, safety glasses aren’t just another piece of accessory - they’re essential PPE! Safety glasses, commonly manufactured with lightweight polycarbonate lenses, provide durable impact resistance to ensure our eyes remain protected. Generally, eye protection must be worn whenever there is a risk that can result in an injury or harmful exposure to the individual’s eyes. These hazards can be in the form of flying debris (e.g from grinding, cutting, etc.), chemical splashes, radiation and lasers, or abrasive and molten material.
It is vital to ensure the proper fit of your safety glasses. Ensure the eyewear covers from the eyebrow to the cheekbone and across the nose to the bony area on the outside of the face and eyes. Eyewear should also be individually assigned and fitted to help minimize any gaps between the device and the user’s face. Beyond protection, safety glasses also increase our confidence in performing intricate experiments or responsibilities and enable us to maintain complete focus, free from any lingering safety concerns.