PPE Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Equipment
No matter the industry – whether processing, manufacturing, or construction – PPE is a necessary part of every workday. We all understand the importance of proper use and fit of protective equipment, but PPE maintenance is often overlooked. Taking proper care of reusable PPE not only extends its useful life, but ensures that when PPE matters most, it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Take a look at the four steps you can take to ensure your workers’ PPE continually provides maximum protection.
Keep it Clean
Equipment cleanliness is important for more reasons than you may think. In processing facilities where workers handle items with contaminants, regular cleaning of PPE greatly reduces the risk of cross-contamination. When cleaning PPE, it’s best to use mild soap solutions and water. Harsh chemicals can degrade materials faster, reducing their useful life.
In work environments where there’s excess dirt or other matter that can accumulate on gear, cleaning not only helps prevent unnecessary degradation, but ensures that any damage on the gear is easily visible so it can be repaired or replaced during routine inspections.
Check and Inspect
Whether PPE is months old or brand new, regular, thorough inspection is necessary to prevent critical equipment failure. Early recognition of equipment damage or deterioration allows for immediate repair or replacement, which maximizes the useful life of PPE. General wear and tear as well as exposure to chemicals, extreme weather, and dirt are all factors that can degrade the protective qualities of equipment. PPE should be inspected before every use, and an ongoing log of inspection dates and damages should be well-documented to track the condition of your team’s equipment over time.
Store it Right
It’s not uncommon to rush at the end of a workday and cram gear into a bag or a locker. But improper storage of gear is one of the primary ways PPE gets damaged. If not hung properly, workwear material can crease and fold in ways that causes deterioration. It should be stored in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight, and not exposed to extreme temperatures outside of working hours. Ideally, workers should have lockers or storage bins where PPE can be properly hung and kept safe from external elements.
Read the Instructions!
All PPE has specific manufacturer instructions for proper care and maintenance that should be followed. This includes details on cleaning agents that can or can’t be used, unique storage requirements, and guidelines for inspection routines. These instructions are in place to ensure PPE works optimally and should be adhered to so that the protective qualities of the gear don’t degrade from improper care.
Ensure your team knows not just how to properly wear their PPE, but how to properly care for it. It’ll save you on costly replacements and ensure that protective equipment is always up to the job. Not sure your team is maintaining their equipment properly? Reach out to your Bunzl Safety expert to learn more about proper care techniques and PPE training.
