Saying that training may save your employees’ lives, may seem like a hyperbole. But when it comes to PPE training, this is no exaggeration. This type of training covers the proper use of personal protective equipment, which ultimately guards the health and safety of health workers.
According to OSHA standards, PPE training lays out the standards for proper use and helps in keeping workers safe. For instance, healthcare workers who don’t know how to properly use PPE for personal protection could get injured or face infectious diseases in the line of duty. But those who comply with safety standards protect themselves and those around them.
Next read: If you’re interested in workplace training, find out more about implementing a structured training program to uplift skills.
What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is worn to lessen exposure to workplace hazards that cause injury and illnesses resulting from self-contamination. PPE is a form of body protection that prevents contact with any chemical, electrical, physical, or mechanical hazard.
Personal protective equipment includes:
- Safety glasses for eye protection,
- Finger guards and gloves for hand protection,
- Respirators for proper breathing,
- Surgical masks,
- Face shields,
- Hard hats,
- Safety boots and
- Safety harnesses
All personal protective gear should be safely designed and fit comfortably. The equipment should also be cleaned and maintained from time to time. Ensure staff wears PPE that fits properly as this could mean the difference between being dangerously exposed and safely covered.
Who Needs PPE Training?
The following are the different types of professionals who require PPE training:
Managers
Managers should carry out a risk assessment to ensure the appropriate PPE is provided. They should also organise training in the use of PPE and supervise the wearing of this equipment where necessary.
Healthcare workers
Doctors, nurses, first responders and all other healthcare workers require PPE training. The Training covers situations in which the use of personal protective equipment is necessary, the required equipment, donning and doffing procedures, PPE limitations, patient care as well as maintenance.
Industry employees
Even if they don’t work in healthcare, employees that work in industry are often exposed to hazardous situations. Whether it be in the form of loud noises that require eat protection or working with harmful chemicals that can cause injury, PPE training is pivotal. Training is a hands-on demonstration that will allow employees to use this equipment properly to avoid workplace hazards.
Benefits of Appropriate PPE Training
1. To prioritize safety
This is the most important reason to conduct PPE training. Educating employees about worker safety is the best way to keep them safe. Through a PPE course, workers can understand the importance of wearing this equipment properly. `
2. To ensure compliance
OSHA guidelines state that employees should wear protective clothing as PPE protects workers from hazards and helps mitigate injuries. It is the duty of employers to offer administrative controls and educate employees regarding the importance of PPE.
3. To increase productivity
When workers are confident with how to use PPE properly, it saves time and helps them be more productive. Less time is wasted donning and doffing the equipment and more time can be spent focusing on the tasks at hand.
3. To ensure proper care of PPE
While workers require PPE, they should also learn how to clean and maintain their protective gear. Through PPE training, staff will learn not to compromise their equipment, and they will understand how to use them, and when to retire them.
4. To enhance the level of security among employees
They say knowledge is power. Because employees will go through training and learn about everything related to PPE, the knowledge they will acquire will enhance their level of security and safety in the workplace. Which according to studies, will enhance the company’s performance.
5. To reduce costs associated with injuries
PPE training can also impact a company’s bottom line by reducing costs associated with workplace injuries. Remember, the comprehensive cost of injury is much more expensive than the initial medical treatment and can severely impact staff turnover and productivity. It’s important to ensure competency training is conducted regularly to prevent this from happening One way of doing this is by using a skills matrix to help identify skill gaps that may have formed.
PPE Training Course in the Workplace
PPE training can be both online and in-person. For participants to gain a full understanding of all important elements, PPE training usually covers the following topics:
- When PPE is necessary and when it’s not
- Types of personal protective equipment
- Donning and doffing PPE
- Proper care, maintenance, and disposal of equipment
- How long personal protective equipment is effective
- How to inspect equipment for damage or wear
There are also five important elements that are taught during the course. They include:
- Head protection
- Eye and face protection
- Clothing
- Hand protection
- Footwear
Head protection
This helps in preventing injuries from fire, shock, blows, or any other skull-damaging injury. In this case, the appropriate head shields should be used.
Eye and face protection
This includes the use of a face shield, ear protection and safety goggles. Employees use PPE to protect themselves from airborne particulate matter.
Clothing
Proper clothing shields the body from damage or injury at the workplace. It also protects against extreme temperatures and any other potential impacts.
Hand protection
Gloves, finger guards and other types of hand coverings are all part of PPE training. If employees work with chemicals, they can come in contact with different types of contaminants thus they need hand protection at all times.
Footwear
PPE training for footwear comprises outlining the reasons for wearing protective footwear, which prevents slipping and electrical hazards, and the proper use of the shoes.
The PPE training course is not only for new employees, even trained employees are able to update their knowledge. Thus, partnering with the right software training resource will ensure your employees learn and stay updated.
PPE Training Resources
Trying to design a PPE training course that will meet all of your employees’ needs? You could choose to organise an in-person course or use traditional e-learning software or you could go for the most modern and effective method – online learning via training and assessment software.
Cloud Assess offers a blended learning approach, which combines online coursework and in-person training! This will bring everyone in your organisation together through purposeful learning.
Try Out Free PPE Training Today
If you need an additional set of hands for your PPE training needs, we’ve got all hands on deck! Our free trial will introduce you to our customised training aids or build your training course from the ground up! We will help you manage the development from training assessment to final roll-out.
Not sure? You don’t need to make a commitment first! Use our software for free on a free trial as you determine whether Cloud Assess will meet your needs! Click here to sign up!
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