What is a PPE Cabinet?

PPE. Any workplace that handles hazardous chemicals must have it, but there’s more to PPE than simply slipping on protective clothing and gloves. PPE – or personal protective equipment – is the clothing, coverings, equipment and protective gear that prevents staff from hazardous chemical exposure. However, how you maintain your PPE can greatly affect the safety of your chemical handling staff. In this post, we look at PPE storage and explain what a PPE Cabinet is and why you may need one in your organisation.

REMEMBER: PPE Cabinets are useful in any workplace environment where personal protective equipment is required, such as construction sites, industrial operations, manufacturing plants, mining operations, hospitals and laboratories.

So, What is a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Cabinet?

A PPE Cabinet is a dedicated storage cabinet that is specifically designed to hold personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, goggles, face shields and protective clothing. These safety equipment cabinets help organise and safeguard PPE, ensuring that it’s easily accessible for workers in areas where safety gear is required.

PPE Cabinets often feature shelves or compartments for efficient organisation of safety equipment, and may be locked to ensure only authorised staff have access to the equipment. PPE storage is also particularly important in workplaces where staff are handling hazardous substances and dangerous goods, as the risk to health and safety is significant. Therefore, the PPE Cabinet is an essential control to prevent harm.

IMPORTANT: Like to know more about personal protective gear for various hazard classes? Depending on the hazardous substance or DG, there are certain types of equipment that are required. Find out more by reading our post.

Why is PPE Important for Workplaces Carrying Hazardous Substances?

Personal Protective Equipment is vital to maintain the health and safety of your staff when working with hazardous chemicals. PPE is the protective equipment that can effectively prevent chemicals from being inhaled into the lungs or absorbed into the skin or eyes.

When working with hazardous substances, personal protective equipment is a vital control to reduce the likelihood of harm.

Personal protective equipment reduces the likelihood of chemical exposure as it acts as a physical barrier between staff and the chemicals being used.

PPE is crucial for several reasons:

• Safety: PPE protects individuals from workplace hazards, including chemical, physical, and biological risks. It minimises the risk of injuries and illnesses.
• Compliance: Workers must be protected from threats to health and safety as per the WHS Regulations. Assigning the correct PPE and maintaining it to standards helps avoid legal issues and penalties.
• Prevention of Disease: In healthcare and laboratory settings, PPE helps prevent the spread of infections and diseases, safeguarding both workers and patients.
• Enhanced Productivity: When workers feel safe, they are more focused and productive. PPE reduces the likelihood of accidents that can disrupt work.
• Long-Term Health: Consistent use of appropriate PPE can help prevent chronic health issues related to exposure to hazardous materials or environments.

Overall, PPE is a critical control that protects individuals and promotes a culture of safety in the workplace.

IMPORTANT: You can find details about the correct PPE for your hazardous substances in the safety data sheet of your chemicals in Section 8: Exposure Controls and Personal Protection.

How Do PPE Cabinets Improve Health & Safety?

A PPE cabinet enhances safety in several ways:

1. Organisation: By providing an accessible and designated space for PPE storage, the cabinet helps ensure that safety gear is easily found and used, preventing harm to staff handling hazardous substances.
2. Compliance: Having PPE readily available in a dedicated space promotes compliance among workers, making it more likely that they will use the gear as required. Inspecting and maintaining your PPE is also a compliance obligation under WHS law.
3. Increased Awareness: A visible PPE Cabinet serves as a constant reminder of the importance of safety practices, fostering a culture of safety within the workplace.
4. Emergency Preparedness: In case of an emergency, having PPE readily accessible allows for a quick response, reducing the risk of injury or exposure.
5. Inventory Control: PPE cabinets can make it easier to track inventory levels, ensuring that essential gear is always available. This reduces the risk of running out of critical items during emergencies.
6. Protection from Contamination: Storing PPE in a cabinet keeps it clean and free from environmental contaminants. This allows workplaces to extend the lifespan of their PPE due to the dedicated and proper storage of equipment.

Overall, a PPE cabinet contributes significantly to workplace safety by promoting organisation and preparedness.

By ensuring fast access to clean, well-maintained PPE, you can increase safety and compliance in your workplace.

What do the WHS Regulations Say About PPE Storage & Maintenance?

In Part 3.2 General Workplace Management, Division 5, the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations in Australia specifically state the importance of providing PPE to workers.

The Regulations say the PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) must provide:

“personal protective equipment to workers at the workplace, unless the personal protective equipment has been provided by another person conducting a business or undertaking.”

It must be:

• Suitable for the nature of the work and any hazard associated with the work.
• Suitable size and fit.
• Reasonably comfortable for the staff to use or wear it.

and

“Maintained, repaired or replaced so that it continues to minimise risk to the worker who uses it…”

This means that personal protective equipment must be clean, hygienic and in good working order.

There are regulations that apply to how PPE is provided to workers, including the availability and condition of the safety gear.

The Regulations also state that:

“The person conducting a business or undertaking who directs the carrying out of work must provide the worker with information, training and instruction in the:

(a) proper use and wearing of personal protective equipment; and

(b) the storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment.”

Therefore, when reading these model regulations, it’s easy to see that PPE Cabinets help workplaces adhere to their WHS responsibilities regarding the availability and maintenance of equipment.

REMEMBER: Equipment should also be regularly inspected to ensure it is not old, damaged or otherwise faulty, as this can put workers at risk of exposure. The correct laundering or disposal for personal protective equipment should also be considered to ensure compliance. Without sufficient decontamination procedures, staff may be exposed to chemicals when putting on previously worn PPE.

Types of PPE Cabinets

There are various types of personal protective equipment storage cabinets to suit the needs of your organisation.

Storemasta’s Australian designed and made range of PPE Storage includes options for:

• Single-door cabinets – suitable for workplaces where space is tight.
• Double-door cabinets – for easy access to the equipment with two lockable doors.
• 3 or 4 Shelf PPE Cabinets for multi-level storage.
• Hanging racks for protective equipment.
• Spare parts to increase the lifespan of PPE storage equipment.

PPE Storage from Storemasta offers both single and double door options, with shelving and hanging rails to suit the gear that is being stored.

 Improving Safety with Dedicated PPE Storage

As we’ve highlighted here in this blog, PPE Cabinets can assist with the access to and maintenance of your personal protective equipment. To prevent chemical exposure in the workplace, it's important to first understand how to manage the risks of the chemicals that you're carrying. You can start this process with the identification of substances, so you can move forward and implement a range of controls, such as compliant storage and the correct PPE, to increase site safety.

If you'd like to find out more about effective chemical safety management, why not access Storemasta's free eBook, 'How to manage the risk of Hazardous Chemicals in the workplace'

Our helpful guide offers practical advice on chemical risk controls that you can easily apply to your own business. Get your copy today to learn more about managing hazardous chemical risks.