CATEGORY III PPE Against Fall

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazard. In Europe for instance,  there are  PPE  directive(PPE Directive (EU) 2016/425) outlining  essential safety requirements that PPE must fulfil so that users’ health protection and safety is ensured. Gloves, face masks or shields, laboratory coats, safety goggles, and other similar protective gear falls under the scope of this directive. Furthermore, the PPE included is further categorised into three groups concerning the level and type of protection. Each category determines the extent of control on the manufacturer's production and quality system, as well as the level of involvement of a notified body.

CATEGORIES OF PPE

The route to conformity of PPE is determined by the category it falls into which it falls. PPE is split into three categories as defined below The Regulation does not officially define the three categories but it is common practice to refer them as below:

– Category I: PPE intended to protect users against minimal risks. The conformity assessment procedure doesn’t include Notified body testing and evaluation. On the contrary, manufacturers can self-declare compliance with the respective legislation.

– Category II: Equipment falling into neither Category I or Category III; This category includes medium-risk PPE, such as safety spectacles and goggles, high-visibility clothing, bump caps and industrial helmets. The conformity procedure required for Intermediate PPE involves Notified body assessment which usually complicates and prolongs the certification process of PPE.

– Category III: PPE intended to protect users against very serious risk such as death or irreversible damage to health . High-level risks are, for example:

hazardous substances and mixtures

environments, where can be observed oxygen deficiency

harmful biological elements

high-pressure jets

drowning

ionising radiation

electric shock

high-temperature environments (+100 °C)

low-temperature environments (– 50 °C or less)

harmful noise

falling from a height.

The compliance process of complex PPE includes Notified body assessment (EC-type examination) and either on-going surveillance through testing or on-going inspection through factory auditing.

The purpose of this write up is for us to beam our light on the category III PPE against fall from height, and common among these are Full body harnesses, lanyards and SRL/ PFL.

As part of our services, at #oleams we inspect these PPE on behalf of  our client and unfortunately, majority of the PFPE brought to us for inspection and re-certification could  not be traced to the  manufacturer which these PPE bears their labels. No verifiable  declaration of conformity. All element for identification would be found to be either missing or when printed, would be found to be unverifiable. 

This suggest that a calamity is awaiting to happen should we allow these PPEs back to the client. 

On our part, as expected, we recommend the equipment   be taken out of service and quarantined.

It is  high time safety managers, project managers, Engineers, construction supervisors and everyone whose responsible has  anything to do with work and height, seek management backing to ensure every  vendor,supplier  or contractor who supplies Category III PPE, must deliver same with verifiable certificates. This must be communicated to your #procurement team for compliance.

We believe this steps, when consolidated, would help reduce cases  of accident  resulting from a fall from elevated  height traceable to counterfeit equipment.

This is a dangerous trend  cutting across  industrial sectors here in Nigeria and other part of Africa and it is my hope that all concerned must rise up to the task of taking the first step in fighting this  counterfeiting.  .

According to the newest data by OSHA, it suggest that falls from height will remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities . 

Should you be interested in engaging us further on how to ensure your work at height task are adequately planned and executed safely, you may visit us on the web www.oleams.com

We believe falls are preventable!

Working  at height shouldn’t be a death sentence !

Every worker who work at height has the right to return home safely to join their loved ones!

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