Article - Questions About Protective Clothing | XCO Group

13 Aug 2019

Your Questions Answered About Protective Clothing in the Workplace

 

Safety has always been an important issue in the building, construction, mining, and manufacturing industry sectors. In fact, each week in South Africa, an average of two workers are killed because of unsafe or improper use of PPE. Let us face it, anything can go wrong on a worksite, especially if you are working with heat, pollution, heavy equipment, chemicals, and bacteria. The more prepared workers are, the less chance they will encounter accidents and injuries. As one of the leading PPE suppliers in South Africa, we have answered some questions about protective clothing that every employee should know.

What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?

 

Section 14 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act stipulates that it is the responsibility of the employer to protect employees from any workplace hazards deemed dangerous or high risk. The act also stipulates that the employer must inform workers of risks, train the employers to avoid risks, provide the PPE, and train the employers to use the clothing as required. If the employer fails to meet the above measures, they can be fined R50 000, or serve time in jail.

 

Must the Employer or Employee Pay for the PPE?

 

While Section 8 of the OHSA stipulates that every employer shall provide protective clothing to each employee, Section 23 of the act stipulates that an employer cannot make any deduction from an employee’s salary or accept any payment from an employee for the clothing. In short: making an employee fork out money to pay for their own PPE is a criminal offence.

 

What Are Ways to Implement a Safer Workplace?

 

PPE is the last line of defence against workplace injury, but before it can be used, the employer must first try to remove or reduce any danger to the health and safety of the workers. If this is not attainable, then PPE selection must follow workplace assessment results. The employer must develop a programme that identifies and analyses potential hazards. Employers must inform workers of the risks and dangers, establish precautionary measures, enforce necessary control measures and regular maintenance inspections, and ensure that every worker complies with the act.

 

How to Tell if the Clothing Meets the Correct OHS Standards

 

It is important to understand that protective clothing is only effective if it meets the correct size and fit. It must also meet the right regulations and specifications. If the clothes have no SABS mark, or CE or BS kitemark, then the PPE does not meet the basic safety requirements.

 

We Supply, Brand, and Deliver

 

At XCO Group, we take Occupational Health and Safety very seriously and have, for many years, been supplying Gauteng’s industrial sector with the best-quality PPE brands. Keeping up to date with PPE technologies and Occupational Health and Safety rules and regulations, not only do we keep workers and industries safe and compliant, but we also brand and deliver your PPE to your door.

 

Chat to one of our consultants to find out exactly what type of protective clothing your employees require to stay safe and what your business requires to stay compliant.