Ensuring acceptable above the neck protection: the ergonomics of PPE

An article written by Richard Graveling on “Ensuring acceptable above the neck protection: the ergonomics of PPE” has been published in the July issue of Health and Safety International. Although it is widely recognised that reduction of any risk at source is to be preferred, in many workplaces Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used, either as the only form of protection or as an additional defence.

Taking just one form of protection as an example, research has established that 5.5 million workers are exposed to respiratory hazards in the workplace. Of these, approximately 50% wear respiratory protective equipment (RPE). However, it is also estimated that, only 50% of these wear equipment that is correctly selected and fitted. It can be calculated from this that only 25% of those at risk are adequately protected which suggests that the remaining 75% could be at risk from respiratory ill health.

The article examines some of the reasons why some workers don’t wear their PPE correctly, if at all. Speaking about this recent article Richard said “Hopefully, this article will help to raise awareness of this important issue. It is important to get ergonomics aspects of PPE right – as well as the technical performance. If you don’t, workers will either not wear it at all or won’t wear it properly – and will therefore not get the technical protection in any case.”

Last year, the IOM received the premier award of the Institute for Ergonomics and Human Factors (formerly the Ergonomics Society) for its work on the ergonomics of PPE.