The value of prominent signage can never be underestimated. When a problem occurs that requires the emergency services to be called, good safety signage can and will make their jobs easier and ultimately save lives. Safety Data Sheets are one of the key tools in hazard communication. A good Safety Data Sheet provides members of staff with the knowledge they need to carry out a suitable risk assessment for their particular function. One of the main aims of the Chemical Hazards Communication Society is to promote high quality Safety Data Sheets. Many studies, including one carried out by the Chemical Hazards Communication Society, have demonstrated a high level of inaccuracies in Safety Data Sheets. This is of major concern to the health and safety authorities, such as the UK Health and Safety Executive.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) requires all companies to control exposure to hazardous substances to minimise any ill effects. The Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) publication 'COSHH a brief guide to the regulations' outlines the main points of the regulations and introduces the seven step guide to making your business compliant. The health and safety regulations are further supplemented by the COSHH Essentials system which gives guidance on controlling the use of hazardous chemicals for many everyday tasks. COSHH does not, however, cover asbestos or lead.

In the household any bottles or packages marked with the dreaded hazard symbol must be kept well out of the reach of young children and pets. Many domestic products could, in exceptional cases, cause death or serious injury if guidelines are ignored. If you think about the caustic effect of bleach on lime scale, just imagine what it could do to one of your children or pets. Be aware and be prepared!

So, what does that mean? Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE as it is known in the trade, is defined in the Regulations as ‘all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his health or safety', e.g. hard hats, heavy duty gloves, goggles, hi-visibility vests, steel toecap boots and safety harnesses.

Ear defenders and face masks are naturally classified as personal protection but are not covered by these PPE Regulations but do have their own set of rules which ought to be observed in your own best interests, and indeed the interests of the company you work for. Ear, Nose and mouth protectors must be compatible with the Personal Protective Equipment that you do use e.g. safety helmets need to be able to cater for the ear defenders that you use without reducing the protection that either item offers.
The focus of the PPE at Work Regulations 1992 is that personal protective equipment is to be provided and implemented at work wherever there are dangers to health and safety that cannot be suitably managed by alternative means. The PPE at Work Regulations also require that any items of Personal Protective Equipment go through a stringent vetting and testing process to ensure it will do the job, appropriate maintenance and storage has been put in place, full usage instructions are provided if needed and users of the equipment are monitored to ensure compliance.
When deciding initially which PPE is right for your workplace, your business processes will need to undergo a full assessment to consider the dangers that they could potentially present. This will identify the hazards and chose the appropriate PPE kit to combat against them. Your PPE supplier will be able to advise if you are unsure. They know from experience which protective equipment is most suitable in which scenarios. If it is a new process with a new set of hazards associated then it may be necessary to seek advice elsewhere. The British Safety Industry Federation will help you.
The following are things to think about when selecting PPE:
Is the kit flexible enough to fit most users?

Are there any health issues that might prevent an employee from using the item?

If the task requires multiple pieces of protective equipment make sure they are compatible? For example, breathing kits and goggles both must fit snugly without interfering with each other.

Is the item of PPE suitable for the job in hand? Eye goggles which protect against chemicals may not be strong enough to be considered suitable as protection against flying pieces of metal in an engineering environment.

Is the PPE comfortable to wear? Does it restrict movement and therefore increase the risk?

Have you taken into account the physical demands of the task? If the job requires a breathing apparatus will the additional weight borne by the employee take its toll? Should maximum usage restrictions be in place?
There are many things to think about but primarily you have to look after your employees from a health and safety point of view. You can't cut corner and risk catastrophic consequences.

There are some industries where safety signs are absolutely imperative. Look at the pharmaceuticals industry as a prime example. Dangerous chemicals need to be clearly identified and the associated risk highlighted. You often see specialist crews called in to deal with spillages on motorways after accidents. It is the safety signage which has led to the correct measures being taken to prevent any unnecessary problems post accident. A log has to be kept of any incidents which occur where chemicals or pharmaceuticals are involved. This log will help the Health and Safety assessors to improve the safety system.

Reading the signs and warning notices will make the employees and visitors more vigilant when they are in the vicinity of hazardous materials. Look at the simple example of a burst milk carton in a supermarket. The brightly coloured "A" board that warns people to tread carefully does the job and keeps the customers on their toes. Without its very obvious presence we would probably be heading for a slippery end as I, for one, am more focussed on what's on the shelves than what's on the floor.

Wearing the appropriate clothing and protective devices such as boots, helmets and goggles is equally essential when dealing with volatile substances as it is when working on a job where the risk of accident is high, such as a construction site. Casualty departments and ambulance services would be maxed out dealing with incidents if the rules were relaxed and workers were not obliged to don the safety helmets, goggles ear defenders and steel toecap boots? Any run of the mill incident, such as dropping a brick on your foot, could have a damaging affect on the individual and the company.

Sight and hearing are often endangered in the workplace. Excessive noise over a long period of time can seriously impair your hearing. Your eyesight is crucial and extremely vulnerable as the tissue is soft and complicated. Engineering environments where metal is being shaped and turned can produce minute particles which could do untold damage to an eye. So, using ear defenders and goggles is a must if you want to see and hear your family grow up.

Overprotective nanny state or not, whatever your opinion, there are many dangers lurking in the workplace that employees need to be protected from. The insurance premiums the employers pay would go through the roof if proper Health and Safety measures were not in place. The vultures from the accident damage claim companies would be hovering above every business, waiting to pounce.

So the message is simple and straightforward, label everything you need to, put up signs to attract attention to possible problems and get your kit on!! You know it makes sense.