Tips for Choosing a PPE
Not all PPEs are the same, choosing the right PPE for the job is fundamental in ensuring safety. Knowing what is the right PPE for your job is quite as important as wearing it. Features of a PPE determine whether the PPE is right for the job or not. Knowing the limitations and other features of a PPE is as important for you to make informed decisions when selecting PPEs.
Whether working in an industrial area or you are working as a medical practitioner, you need a PPE for your safety. There are diverse applications of PPEs as there are types of PPEs available in the market. Each PPE provides a different level of protection, for example, those that are used in a medical operating room are different from those required in an industrial or welding environment. To ensure the right safe for your employees, it is essential to identify the most critical safety point. For example, if the focus of safety is on the face, make sure all your employees wear appropriate face shields while at work. Considering the situations for safety i.e optical clarity, heat resistance, or impact.
Knowing the materials the PPEs are made of is equally important so that you can select the right fit for your workplace. Some of these materials include; cellulosic, PETG, Polycarbonate(PC), TMCD. Choosing the right PPE with traits that work for your typical environment is beneficial for your safety.
Factors to consider for face protection
A PPE that is providing a clear vision and complete face protection is appropriate for face protection. Regardless of other properties such as retention plus other properties it may have, it is considered unfit. Before you shop for a PPE, it is worthwhile to evaluate the demands of your industry in terms of optical quality, chemical exposure, heat resistance, and impact protection before buying face and eye protection for your industry.
If you are working in the pharmaceutical industry, you will require eyewear and face shields that provide optical clarity and unmatched chemical resistance. Cellulosics is the right candidate for the right chemical protection because of its robust chemical resistance and it can release stress due to chemical exposure. PPEs made from cellulosic material are known to be scratch resistant hence fit when optical clarity is very important.
For high-impact and moderate chemical resistance, PC is the ultimate option. PPEs made from PC, provide high impact protection in industrial settings and it has been an industry standard for a long time. Face shields where ballistics and other high-impact military environments, PC provides the toughest PPEs that comply with ANSI standards. PC has a good heat resistance and also harbours average scratch resistance hence suitable for welding environments and other work situations requiring average heat resistance.
The best option for chemical and impact resistance are face shields and eyewear made from PETG, a safety application for on-the-road users. It provides good protection on high-impact and chemical resistance. They are also appropriate in the medical field because of their high resistance to chemical exposure. TMCD-based copolyester is another option for PPE materials requiring high-impact resistance and chemical resistance. TMCD-based copolyester PPEs are durable while providing high-impact protection and chemical resistance.
Making the final decision on what PPE for your work environment should be made of shouldn’t be difficult if you know the traits and characteristics of the material in question.
For high-quality PPE, turn to IQS Solutions.