Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing
Your employer is required to provide personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) when hazards in the workplace cannot be eliminated or to increase protection. Your employer must make sure it complies with the relevant Australian Standard.
You should be instructed and trained in the correct use and storage of the PPE provided by your employer and you must use it and follow all safety instructions.
Some of the items of PPE you may use in the electrical and electronics industry are given below.
Clothing provides protection from electric arcing/flask burns, flying objects and electric shock. Ideally, clothing should cover the body completely and:
be of cotton material;
have non-conductive and concealed buttons;
have sleeves to wrist length; and
have legs which reach to the footwear.
Safety helmets should be non-conductive. They provide protection from overhead wires, structures and falling objects.
Safety glasses provide protection from electrical arcing and flying objects.
Insulating gloves provide protection from electric shock. They should be worn when accidental contact with live conductors is possible, but they must never be the sole means of insulation.
When using gloves, note:
rated gloves are designed for live work and are rated according to the level of voltage they are able to insulate against.
rated gloves should be tested regularly to determine their effectiveness.
non-rated gloves are for mechanical protection only.
all gloves should be inspected before each use.
Safety footwear should be non-conductive. It provides protection from electric shock and falling objects.
Insulating mats should be used when working on live conductors or where accidental contact is possible. They must never be the only means of insulation.
Self-Assessment Questions
Now try the self-assessment questions. Before starting the questions, be sure to enter your name exactly as you want it to appear on your certificate.
There are 16 questions and if you get 12 or more correct you can print online a WorkSafe Smart Move Certificate signed by the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection.
