Why is care and maintenance
important?
Welding and grinding creates respirable and inhalable fumes and particles, in
addition to hazards from flying hot particles, molten metal, intense ultraviolet, visible
and infrared radiation.
To protect yourself, you need to follow the path to protection:
Detect – identify all the hazards and conduct a thorough risk assessment
Select – choose control measures that reduce or eliminate exposure and as required
select PPE that is both adequate (the right type and level of protection) and suitable
(appropriate for the worker, task and working environment).
Protect – implement an effective PPE program, including training for those who wear
but also care for and maintain PPE.
If you don´t keep up your
maintenance you may get…
Reduced protection
levels
Reduced effective
lifetime of equipment
Resulting in the additional
cost of replacement
Correctly selected and used PPE can help protect you from these hazards. But, your PPE needs to be
properly looked after, cleaned and stored when not in use so that it can keep protecting you every time it
is used. A good care and maintenance program will consider:
• Battery status and charging (if applicable)
• Pre-use checks and regular inspection
• Inspection after use
•
When to change filters or other consumables
• Cleaning procedures for reusable items (if applicable)
•
Availability of consumables (for example filters) and spare parts (for example batteries)
• Replacement PPE provision
• Training and responsibilities for those involved in conducting care and maintenance
• Storage between use
• Asset tracking and record keeping
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