Category III PPE provide workers with the highest level of protection and are used to protect the health of workers against occupational health hazards and diseases.
Is the use of PPE mandatory?
The use of Category III PPE is mandatory in a number of work environments as specified by current standards while, in other cases, the use is optional and the choice to wear PPE or not is at the discretion of the workers or employers.
Art. 76 of Legislative Decree 81/08 (Consolidated Law on Health and Safety at Work), specifies “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements”, while Legislative Decree # 475 of 4 December 1992 and subsequent modifications, may be used as a reference to verify the conformity and appropriateness of the same PPE.
The above Legislative Decree identifies 3 categories of risk against which PPE is intended to protect users.
Category I includes “minimal risks” that do not endanger the life and health of workers. Moreover, these PPE are of simple design and their use does not require particular worker training. This category includes all personal protective equipment used to prevent contact with hot surfaces (not exceeding 50°C) or to protect against vibrations or radiation the exposure to which does not cause permanent damage to the worker.
Naturally, even in cases where the use of PPE is not mandatory, it is advisable to always wear them as they ensure the prevention of the onset of irreversible diseases that could compromise the health of workers and even lead to death in the more serious cases.
Which PPE fall under category III?
The Category III group of personal protective devices are essential for protection against the risks that may cause very serious consequences such as death or irreversible damage to health relating to the following: substances and mixtures which are hazardous to health; atmospheres with oxygen deficiency; harmful biological agents; ionising radiation; high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of at least 100 °C; low-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of – 50 °C or less; falls from above (life lines, harnesses, pelmets, etc.).
Some Category III PPE:
- Harness: when working at a height, a safe and stable anchorage point is the only form of protection to be used against accidental falls. Harnesses enable workers to operate safely and comfortably, because they are specifically designed in order not to hinder movements and to allow for the normal course of work. A harness that is designed for work positioning will have a pair of D-rings located in the lower waist area at the front of the harness while one designed for travel restraint functions will usually have a D-ring in the centre of the back at waist-level.
- Helmet: this is perhaps the most widespread category III PPE because it is required in many different work areas. Category III helmets protect the head against accidental falls of the worker but also against accidental falls of materials from above. The helmets which have been approved and comply with current regulations are also to be equipped with a safety device under the chin, to prevent the helmet slipping off. Helmets are also incorporated into certain Respiratory Protective Device models for the protection of the respiratory system. These helmets are usually equipped with visors to prevent eye irritation and hearing protectors as well. A large variety of different models are available nowadays for use in different workplaces and work environments. All category III equipment must be approved to current standards and be CE certified. Respiratory protective devices incorporating helmets or face pieces may be of the powered, non-powered or the supplied air type need to be selected carefully depending on the job to be performed, the place of work, and the level of protection to be achieved.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus: As mentioned above, Respiratory Protective devices fall within the definition of the PPE necessary to protect workers from major health risks, that is, Category III. Among these we find “filtering face pieces” where polluted air in the work environment is filtered; “self-contained breathing apparatus” where breathable air is supplied from cylinders; “supplied-air respirators “, where a continuous flow of compressed breathable air is supplied in line.
In order to use PPE properly, workers need to be adequately trained and informed on how to wear them, clean them, maintain them, know when to replace them and learn how to use them correctly and diligently.
Kasco srl supplies different types of PPE for the protection of the respiratory system.
May 14 2018
Which are the Category III PPE?
Is the use of PPE mandatory?
The use of Category III PPE is mandatory in a number of work environments as specified by current standards while, in other cases, the use is optional and the choice to wear PPE or not is at the discretion of the workers or employers.
Art. 76 of Legislative Decree 81/08 (Consolidated Law on Health and Safety at Work), specifies “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements”, while Legislative Decree # 475 of 4 December 1992 and subsequent modifications, may be used as a reference to verify the conformity and appropriateness of the same PPE.
The above Legislative Decree identifies 3 categories of risk against which PPE is intended to protect users.
Category I includes “minimal risks” that do not endanger the life and health of workers. Moreover, these PPE are of simple design and their use does not require particular worker training. This category includes all personal protective equipment used to prevent contact with hot surfaces (not exceeding 50°C) or to protect against vibrations or radiation the exposure to which does not cause permanent damage to the worker.
Naturally, even in cases where the use of PPE is not mandatory, it is advisable to always wear them as they ensure the prevention of the onset of irreversible diseases that could compromise the health of workers and even lead to death in the more serious cases.
Which PPE fall under category III?
The Category III group of personal protective devices are essential for protection against the risks that may cause very serious consequences such as death or irreversible damage to health relating to the following: substances and mixtures which are hazardous to health; atmospheres with oxygen deficiency; harmful biological agents; ionising radiation; high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of at least 100 °C; low-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of – 50 °C or less; falls from above (life lines, harnesses, pelmets, etc.).
Some Category III PPE:
In order to use PPE properly, workers need to be adequately trained and informed on how to wear them, clean them, maintain them, know when to replace them and learn how to use them correctly and diligently.
Kasco srl supplies different types of PPE for the protection of the respiratory system.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •