Collective protection devices are indispensable to safeguard workers from hazards and help provide safe working environments.
Collective protection devices: for which jobs is their use mandatory?
The use of collective protection devices is mandatory in all work situations in order to reduce worker exposure to the risk of accidents, injuries and illness. Furthermore, collective protection devices and engineering controls are usually implemented when, after having carried out a thorough risk assessment, it is established that the source of risk cannot be completely removed. Therefore, collective protection devices, together with engineering controls, are the primary means to be used to protect the health of workers at their place of work. Only when effective engineering controls are not feasible should personal protective equipment be provided.
Whether working on a building site, in an industrial context or a laboratory, collective protection devices should always be present and are to be periodically checked and serviced to ensure they are always in perfect working order for the purpose intended.
More specifically, the collective protection devices used on construction sites, for example, are often fall protection devices such as nets, scaffolding and so on, while in laboratories these could be ventilation systems and biosafety hoods. The main characteristic of collective protection methods lies in the fact that they can be implemented to reduce or eliminate a particular workplace risks and should always be considered first when assessing and mitigating workplace hazards.
Collective protection devices for protection of the respiratory system
The collective protection devices for safeguarding the respiratory system play a very important role, particularly in the chemical and biological sectors. Engineering tools are used mostly in laboratories because the risk of chemical exposure due to inhalation, which can cause serious health problems and diseases in the long run, is very high. Among the most important collective protection devices in this environment are suction hoods, which come in different types depending on their intended use.
The most common type of hood is the “enclosing” or “fume” hood which surrounds the process or point where the contaminants are generated and, after filtering, expels the results of the chemical reactions to the outside. Working under a hood, i.e. in an environment completely free from toxic residues, is essential in this sector, and workers need to have the skills and the appropriate training to make the best use of these devices.
In some cases, the use of biosafety cabinets are essential when handling highly dangerous elements and substances. In fact, workers in biological and chemical laboratories often find themselves working in close contact with highly volatile pathogenic molecules, which can easily find their way into the body, giving rise to a very dangerous chain of infection contagion. Working in closed environments which are equipped with appropriate suction systems and suitable filtering devices is essential not only for the health and safety of the workers but also for the health of the community as a whole.
If collective protection devices and engineering controls are not enough to protect workers’ health at best, the use of appropriate PPE and, more specifically, respiratory protective devices, are to be worn.
Kasco srl, manufactures and supplies respiratory protective devices suitable for use in all those cases where it is necessary to protect the respiratory system of workers.
Aug 27 2018
Collective protection devices: Why are they mandatory?
Collective protection devices are indispensable to safeguard workers from hazards and help provide safe working environments.
Collective protection devices: for which jobs is their use mandatory?
The use of collective protection devices is mandatory in all work situations in order to reduce worker exposure to the risk of accidents, injuries and illness. Furthermore, collective protection devices and engineering controls are usually implemented when, after having carried out a thorough risk assessment, it is established that the source of risk cannot be completely removed. Therefore, collective protection devices, together with engineering controls, are the primary means to be used to protect the health of workers at their place of work. Only when effective engineering controls are not feasible should personal protective equipment be provided.
Whether working on a building site, in an industrial context or a laboratory, collective protection devices should always be present and are to be periodically checked and serviced to ensure they are always in perfect working order for the purpose intended.
More specifically, the collective protection devices used on construction sites, for example, are often fall protection devices such as nets, scaffolding and so on, while in laboratories these could be ventilation systems and biosafety hoods. The main characteristic of collective protection methods lies in the fact that they can be implemented to reduce or eliminate a particular workplace risks and should always be considered first when assessing and mitigating workplace hazards.
Collective protection devices for protection of the respiratory system
The collective protection devices for safeguarding the respiratory system play a very important role, particularly in the chemical and biological sectors. Engineering tools are used mostly in laboratories because the risk of chemical exposure due to inhalation, which can cause serious health problems and diseases in the long run, is very high. Among the most important collective protection devices in this environment are suction hoods, which come in different types depending on their intended use.
The most common type of hood is the “enclosing” or “fume” hood which surrounds the process or point where the contaminants are generated and, after filtering, expels the results of the chemical reactions to the outside. Working under a hood, i.e. in an environment completely free from toxic residues, is essential in this sector, and workers need to have the skills and the appropriate training to make the best use of these devices.
In some cases, the use of biosafety cabinets are essential when handling highly dangerous elements and substances. In fact, workers in biological and chemical laboratories often find themselves working in close contact with highly volatile pathogenic molecules, which can easily find their way into the body, giving rise to a very dangerous chain of infection contagion. Working in closed environments which are equipped with appropriate suction systems and suitable filtering devices is essential not only for the health and safety of the workers but also for the health of the community as a whole.
If collective protection devices and engineering controls are not enough to protect workers’ health at best, the use of appropriate PPE and, more specifically, respiratory protective devices, are to be worn.
Kasco srl, manufactures and supplies respiratory protective devices suitable for use in all those cases where it is necessary to protect the respiratory system of workers.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •