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.
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.
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:
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.
A PPE cabinet enhances safety in several ways:
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.
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:
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.
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:
PPE Storage from Storemasta offers both single and double door options, with shelving and hanging rails to suit the gear that is being stored.
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.