The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, requires the employer to bring about and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a work environment that is safe and without risk to the health of the workers.
In line with the above-quoted Act, Personal Protective Equipment (referred to as “PPE”), is worn to limit exposure to potentially dangerous situations and environments in the workplace, which could result in serious injuries and illnesses. It includes all equipment used to prevent health and safety risks, such as injuries to the skin, head, eyes, ears and lungs. This could be as a result of contact with electrical, mechanical, chemical, physical, radiological or other workplace hazards.
To protect their staff and ensure a safe working environment, employers are, therefore, strongly advised to provide their employees with the appropriate PPE, (and training in its usage) at any time when the risk to health and safety cannot be sufficiently controlled by other means.
Employees are naturally entitled to instruction and training on how to work safely and responsibly, and be provided with ongoing supervision, but because PPE contributes to a safe workplace, it will always be an integral part of managing a successful, safe, low health risk business, which meets the requirements of the OHS regulations.
