Regulation (EU) 2016/425 defines personal protective equipment as equipment designed and manufactured to be worn or held by a person for protection against one or more risks to his or her health or safety.

PPE is divided into three categories:

Category I – includes only minimal risks to the worker:

• superficial mechanical injuries
• Contact with mildly aggressive cleaning products or prolonged contact with water
• Contact with hot surfaces that do not exceed 50°C
• Eye injuries due to exposure to sunlight (other than injuries due to sunlight observation)
• weather conditions of a non-extreme nature

These protective devices include: eye protectors, head protectors, protective clothing, foot and leg protectors with anti-slip function, and hand and arm protectors.

Category II – includes (average) risks that do not fall into either category I or III.

These include: ear protectors, eye protectors, head protectors, full or partial face protectors, protective clothing, foot and leg protectors with non-slip function, hand and arm protectors, devices designed to prevent drowning, devices for protection against mechanical hazards, high-visibility clothing and accessories.

Category III – includes hazards that can cause very serious consequences for the worker, such as death or irreversible damage to health, with regard to:

• hazardous substances and mixtures
• oxygen-deficient atmospheres
• harmful biological agents
• ionizing radiation
• High-temperature environments with effects comparable to those of an air temperature of at least 100°C
• Low-temperature environments having effects comparable to those of an air temperature of -50°C or lower
• falls from heights
• electric shock and working under voltage
• drowning
• cuts from portable chain saws
• high pressure jets
• bullet or knife wounds
• noxious noise

These include: eye protectors, devices for head protection, devices for full or partial face protection, protective clothing, devices for respiratory protection, devices for foot and leg protection, devices for hand and arm protection, and devices for protection against the risks of falling from heights.

Fall arrest systems are protection that safeguards the life of the worker from a fall from height. These systems consist of specific elements that allow work to be carried out safely on roofs of any kind, sloping or flat, whether they are made of wood or other materials. They must also comply with the lines of standard UNI EN 363:2008. This standard identifies the different work situations that can be performed on roofs and for each one assigns a specific connection device.

To be placed on the market, any PPE must bear the CE conformity marking certifying its compliance with the aforementioned standard that defines its characteristics.

They must also be reviewed annually.

SICUREZZA FORMAZIONE has personnel licensed to review Category III PPE: for more information, click here.

Also find out about our training offers:

FOR CLASSROOM COURSES AT OUR LOCATION, CLICK HERE.

ONLINE COURSES:

– PPE category I and II worker refresher course

COURSES THAT CAN BE ORGANIZED AT YOUR COMPANY:

– Training for work at height and use of category III PPE

– Refresher training for work at height and use of category III PPE