What are the key factors that safety managers should consider when choosing chemical safety clothing?
The European standard of chemical protective clothing is undoubtedly a great leap forward in improving workplace safety. However, they can also be a double-edged sword; although many applications in the real world require much more protection than the minimum requirements, the PPE standards mainly set minimum performance requirements. Therefore, it may be dangerous to assume that the use of CE certified products means that workers are safe and do not know the content and details of the standard, or what it actually tells you.
The application involves any hazards, especially chemicals (and the complexity of many chemicals does not lead to direct consequences, so pollution may not be recognized), and requires a detailed risk analysis to identify all hazards, mission and environment related factors, some of which may address CE standards and some do not, which may affect the selection of personal protective equipment (PPE). While using these standards as guidance and starting points, safety managers need to go beyond them to ensure that all factors are considered and addressed. In addition, as with all PPE options, safety clothing is a compromise between protection, comfort and cost, and this analysis is essential to ensure that the best combination is selected. This approach may take more time, but it also brings benefits, not only to ensure that workers are fully protected, but also to ensure that they enjoy the best possible comfort, and that you do not spend unnecessary money on personal protective equipment; a holistic and effective PPE selection method can have a direct and beneficial impact on the company's bottom line.
