Q1. Don't bryson tiller piano. How do manufacturers ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) is safe and effective?

1. Why Is Ppe Important

Moral and ethical reasons Understand the importance of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the prevention and control of infections 5.2 -Describe different types of PPE Uniforms for regular changing they are also hard wearing and can be boil washed to remove a large amount of bacteria Disposable aprons to protect clothing and uniforms from contamination from blood and body fluids. Discusses all aspects of personal protective equipment that employees need to know. Excellent use of images throughout the presentation. 48 slides: Personal Protective Equipment The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

A1. To help ensure medical devices, including PPE are safe and effective, the FDA has established Quality Systems Regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices. Manufacturers are expected to use these regulations and practices to maintain consistent product quality and to guide performance testing to make sure that their products conform to recognized consensus standards. For PPE, these standards may include for fluid resistance, leak protection, filtering capacity, or resistance to tears and snags. When these regulations and practices are followed, they provide reasonable assurance that the device is safe and effective.

FDA has also issued device-specific guidance for some products so that manufacturers understand the Agency’s expectations. Search for FDA Guidance Documents

Q2. Will personal protective equipment protect against a specific disease?

A2.PPE are designed to create a non-disease specific barrier to penetration of substances, solid, liquid, or airborne particles. In general, neither FDA nor the manufacturer can provide assurances that PPE will protect you against a specific disease. The data that FDA uses for the evaluation and clearance of PPE rarely includes performance evaluation or testing against specific viruses, such as Ebola or flu. If performance data has met FDA requirements and demonstrate protection against a specific disease, the product labeling will state the claim for protection against a specific virus or bacteria.

When there is an outbreak that affects the broad population, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is responsible for making specific recommendations for infection control measures in different circumstances and settings. For example, the CDC has provided the following recommendations:

Q3. Should caregivers use PPE to help protect against infection when caring for a sick person at home?

A3.In some circumstances, a health care provider may recommend that caregivers use PPE when caring for a sick person at home. It is important to know that the use of PPE alone will not fully protect you from acquiring an infection or passing an infection to another person. Other infection control practices, such as hand-washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, isolation of patients and using properly covering cough and sneezes, are also important steps to minimize your risk of infection.

Additionally, please be aware of proper removal and disposal procedures. Even if PPE successfully protects you while it is worn, improper removal and disposal of contaminated PPEs can expose the wearer and other people to infection.

Q4. Where can I buy PPE?

A4. Most types of PPE are available without a prescription. Pharmacies, medical supply stores, and Internet medical supply retailers sell PPE.

For more information about buying medical products on the Internet, see FDA’s website on Protecting Yourself.

Q5. Can I reuse PPE?

A5. In general, most PPE is designed to be used only one time and by one person prior to disposal. There are a few exceptions, for example some types of elastomeric respirator masks and protective eyewear such as goggles may be reused if the user follows decontamination methods in the product labeling.

If PPE is exposed to infectious materials during use (e.g., body fluids from an infected person) the PPE is considered contaminated and the wearer should remove it promptly, using proper removal and disposal procedures. Please be aware that even if a PPE successfully protects you while it is being worn, improper removal and disposal of contaminated PPEs can expose the wearer and other people to infectious agents.

Q6. Can I wash disposable PPE?

Why Is Ppe Important

A6. No. Disposable PPE is designed to be used only one time and by one person; it cannot be washed. Washing PPE changes its protective or barrier capabilities, and it may no longer be effective.

Q7. Can I share PPE with other users?

A7. In general, most PPE cleared by the FDA is intended to be used only one time and by one person. Sharing PPE is not advised. The protective capabilities of single use PPE cannot be assured when it is reused by the same person or used by more than one person. Sharing PPE that is intended for single use may expose another person to infectious materials. PPE should be removed promptly after use and disposed of properly.

Q8: Does every piece of PPE provide the same level of protection?

A8: PPE is designed to be used with other infection control practices such as hand-washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering coughs and sneezes to minimize the spread of infection from one person to another.

Wearers of PPE can determine what protective level a PPE is rated for by the standards to which it has been tested.

CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) maintains a database called NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment Information (PPE-Info) that includes most of the current PPE standards in more detail.

Q9: If I experience a problem with my PPE, what should I do?

A9: If you suspect or experience a problem with your PPE, we encourage you to file a voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program and notify the manufacturer.

Health care personnel employed by facilities that are subject to FDA's user facility reporting requirements should follow the reporting procedures established by their facilities.

Additional Resources

What is PPE?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is defined in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 as: “All equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work which protects them against one or more risks to their health and safety.”

PPE can include safety helmets and hard hats, breathing apparatus, protective footwear and gloves, safety harnesses or life jackets, ear, eye and full-face protection, and high-visibility, flame-retardant, anti-static, chain mail or chemically impermeable protective clothing.

The PPE at Work Regulations require employers to provide, replace and pay for PPE and ensure all equipment is properly assessed and fit for purpose, provided with adequate usage instructions, stored and maintained properly, and used correctly by employees.

Why is PPE so important?

PPE is an essential factor in protecting employees from work-related accidents and illnesses. Before selecting PPE, all potential workplace hazards must be identified to ensure the correct equipment is selected to protect against them.

Hazards can include falling or flying objects, dangerous machinery, harmful gases and fumes, fire, toxic, irritant or corrosive materials or liquids, contaminated dust and air, radiation, vehicles, oxygen-depleted environments, heavy loads, electric shocks, temperature extremes and infections and industrial diseases.

Maintaining a safe work environment means providing the correct safety procedures, training, and supervision to encourage employees to work safely and responsibly. Important factors to consider when selecting PPE include:

• Is the equipment CE marked and fit for purpose or does it need repairing or replacing?
• Has the wearer/manager/instructor been properly trained in correct usage?
• Does the equipment present any hindrance to the wearer or prevent them from effectively communicating?
• Does the equipment suit the wearer’s size and weight and if not, can it be properly adjusted?
• Does the equipment take account of the environmental conditions and is it appropriate for the particular task at hand?
• If more than one item of PPE is worn, is the equipment compatible?

When do the PPE at Work Regulations not apply?

The regulations do not apply when specific safety requirements are detailed in the following five regulations:

• The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
• The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
• The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

Safety at work should be every employer’s main priority and it is crucial companies understand the vital role PPE plays in protecting employees from hazards and the risk of serious injuries at work.

The importance of using PPE in the workplace can never be underestimated as the consequences of companies failing to provide any or faulty personal protective equipment can be devastating.

Matthew Tomlinson is a Senior Personal Injury Lawyer specialising in work accident compensation claims for Slater and Gordon Lawyers.

If you have sustained a serious injury in an accident at work, call our No Win No Fee Personal Injury Lawyers 24 hours 7 days a week on freephone 0800 916 9046 or contact us online and we will call you back.

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