Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Under section 51 of the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety, the employer must take all necessary measures to protect the health, safety and physical integrity of its employees.

The employer must therefore provide workers with the necessary personal protective equipment in good working condition and ensure that employees are working in a safe manner.

In addition, section 49 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act stipulates that workers are required to wear full personal protective equipment to ensure their health, safety and physical integrity.

Prevention
In this context of good management of workplace health and safety, wearing PPE is an essential condition for preventing accidents and reducing serious injuries. It is therefore important to be familiar with the various articles that make up proper personal protective equipment.

Protective footwear
There are different models of protective footwear, both shoes and boots. On the worksite, workers must wear boots that comply with CSA Z195-M1984, as specified in section 2.10.6 of the Safety Code for the Construction Industry. 

They are designed to protect against the following hazards:
• Perforation;
• Fall of heavy or sharp objects;
• Contact with molten metal;
• Contact with hot or corrosive liquids.

As well, all footwear must be equipped with steel toes.

Gloves
Workers must wear gloves when handling objects with sharp edges, or abrasive or rough surfaces. The same applies when handling corrosive or toxic substances.

Glasses
Workers must protect their eyes and face, especially when exposed to:
• Moving particles;
• Hazardous substances;
• Intense light or heat;
• Other similar risks.

Harness
Sections 2.9.1, 2.9.2 and 2.9.3 of the Safety Code for the Construction Industry stipulate that when no fall arrest system, guard rail or safety net is in place, a harness must be worn for all work performed at a height of three or more metres.

Hearing protection
Exposure to high noise levels can cause partial or total loss of hearing. For this reason, the employer must provide workers with earplugs and earmuffs. When properly adjusted, earplugs are nearly as effective as earmuffs.

Respiratory protection
The employer is required to provide equipment to protect the respiratory passages when workers are exposed to concentrations of toxic vapours or gases, fumes, dust or other harmful or toxic substances.