Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) selection
PPE is available for almost every part of the body and the type of equipment purchased will depend on the protection that is required.
Listed below are the common areas which require protection and examples of how the areas may be protected.
All PPE should meet either Australian Standard /New Zealand Standard.
PPE you must wear your PPE when working. You must be shown how to correctly use, wear and maintain your PPE. You must follow this advice and tell us as soon as there are any issues with your PPE (eg if it is no longer fitting properly or is broken). PPE must be: Right for the work you are doing- Fits you reasonably comfortably – Works as it’s supposed to.
The following link is to a resource available to staff only.
| PPE | AS/NZ standard | Common types | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Protection |
AS/NSD1801:1997 | Safety helmets, caps, hats, hoods | If there is a possibility that a person may:
|
| Hearing Protection | AS/NZS 1270:2002 | Ear plugs, earmuffs, helmets with integrated hearing protection | Provided where a risk of noise induced hearing loss exists. The need for hearing protection shall be assessed from the conduct of noise surveys in potential noise hazard areas. |
| Eye and Face Protection | AS/NZS 1336:2014 AS NZS IEC 60825.14 (lasers only) | Safety spectacles, goggles, shields, visors | Provided where a risk of eye injury exists. Typical hazards might include flying particles, dust, splashing substances, harmful gases, vapours, aerosols, and high intensity radiation from welding operations or lasers. |
| Foot Protection | AS/NZS/2210.3 | Steel capped boots, nonslip shoes, waterproof boots | Provided where the nature of the work exposes the employee to a medium to high risk of injury to feet, eg occupations such as workshop/maintenance and gardening staff. |
| Body Protection | AS/NZS/2243.3:2010 AS/NZS 4501.1:2008 | Laboratory coats, heat resistant aprons, waterproof jackets, sunscreen, repellent | Laboratory coats protect against accidental spills, e.g., acids. In this case, they usually have long sleeves and are made of absorbent material, such as cotton, so that the user can be protected from the chemical. Provided for staff who are required to work outdoors and are exposed to the sun's rays for continuous periods in a day. Direct exposure of the skin to UV radiation from outdoor work shall be minimised by providing hats, long sleeves/trousers and an adequate supply of sunscreen. |
| Hand Protection | AS/NZS 2161:2008 | Gloves (wrist or elbow length, cotton, rubber, PVC leather, stainless steel mesh) | Provided where there is an identified hazard associated with a potential for hand injury. A list of hazards shall be compiled for each workplace and suitable hand protection obtained to minimise risk. |
| Respiratory Protection | AS/NZS 1716:2012 | Face masks, half face respirators, air filter units, self-contained breathing apparatus | Provided, after all other practicable measures have been taken to provide control measures, to ensure that no staff member is exposed to an atmosphere that is or may be injurious to health. |
| Fall Protection | AS / NZS 1891 | Belts, harnesses, pole straps, supports, tennis elbow braces | Provided where there is a risk a falling or where there is a legislated requirement. |
| Sunscreen | AS / NZS 2604:2012 | Sun lotion, lip balm | Provided where workers are exposed to solar UV radiation. |
Document Control
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: Sep 2020
Next Review: Sep 2023
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing