أنواع معدات الحماية الشخصية (PPE) - السلامة

1. Eye Protection

Eye protection is vital when there is a risk of body fluids spraying onto mucous membranes like the eyes/nose. Eye PPE comes in various forms such as safety glasses and face shields, and it should be removed using designated parts to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces.

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses fit directly on the face to shield the user's eyes from splashes and particles.

Regular eyewear is not a suitable substitute, though many forms of safety eyewear fit well over prescription glasses with minimal gaps. To be fully effective, glasses must fit closely, particularly at the corners of the eyes across the brow.

While effective for eye protection, eyewear does not shield against sprays or splashes to other areas of the face. In cases where there is a risk of spraying the entire face, face shields are essential.

High-quality safety glasses comply with standard EN166 1.B, offering excellent sight protection.

Face Shields

This type of protection safeguards the entire face and can protect against splashes or chemical liquids; however, it does not provide standalone eye protection. Therefore, it is often used in conjunction with other forms of eye protection, such as glasses.

Learn more about the different types of eye protection here.

2. Body Protection

Body protection is designed to safeguard clothing from body fluids and includes items like aprons and gowns.

In most cases, plastic aprons suffice for standard precautions. Where extensive contamination with blood/body fluids is expected (such as in maternity wards), or when patients require significant direct care with strong skin-to-skin contact, long-sleeved gowns are more appropriate. Gowns do not need to be sterile unless used in a sterile procedure like in an operating room.

Aprons/gowns should always be changed after each patient, and they may need to be replaced even between different procedures on the same patient. After use, they should be disposed of immediately to minimize contamination risk.

This set of 100 disposable aprons is ideal for protecting the body from fluids in the healthcare industry.

3. Respiratory Protection

Respirators are respiratory protective equipment (RPE) designed to protect the user from inhaling harmful microorganisms and other particulates through the nose and mouth.

Oral protection can also be achieved using surgical masks, which provide a barrier against potential sprays and droplets for the user's nose, mouth, and respiratory pathways. However, surgical masks are not classified as RPE as they do not protect against airborne particulates.

4. Hand Protection

Ultimately, gloves are used to protect workers' hands and should be donned before tasks that may involve contact with body fluids. Similarly, they should be removed and discarded immediately after completing the task.

There are various types of gloves; however, latex gloves are most common in healthcare settings because they offer the best protection against body fluids, viruses, and bacteria.

This set of 100 disposable latex gloves is made from high-quality natural rubber, designed to feel like a second skin.

Learn more about the differences between nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves here.

Importance of Personal Protective Equipment in Healthcare

The use of PPE is immensely important in healthcare settings as it creates a barrier between the user and infectious agents from patients. It also prevents the transmission of microorganisms from healthcare workers to patients.

It is a legal requirement for employers to provide appropriate PPE to protect employees from the infection risks associated with their work. In addition to providing equipment, employers must also deliver accurate training records on the proper use of PPE.

It is crucial that employers are clear about PPE requirements and do not deviate from the rules, such as telling a nurse she doesn't need to wear gloves because the procedure won't take long.

When Should Personal Protective Equipment Be Used in Healthcare?

PPE should be used in healthcare settings whenever there is any form of risk to employee safety.

Some examples of when PPE should be utilized in healthcare include:

• While performing personal care tasks
• When handling sharp objects or contaminated equipment
• When there is a risk of blood/body fluids splashing onto the face
• When engaging in activities that expose staff to infection risks, such as injections or patient transfers

Here at Morsafe, we offer a wide range of personal protective equipment for your workplace. To learn more, please visit our website or call us at 611 377.

Written by Kate, on behalf of Morsafe Supplies.