Information about PPE Inspection

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) includes protective devices that are designed to protect users against risks which may threaten their health. PPE must not threaten users health, must not prevent movement related to the work and must meet the requirements set by REGULATION (EU) 2016/425 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment.

1. CATEGORY - LOW RISK

Low risk is when the user can assess by himself the level of protection and risk and select the proper PPE. This category includes PPE exclusively intended to protect the wearer against the following:

• Mechanical actions (gardening gloves, thimbles, etc.).
• Slightly aggressive cleaning agents (gloves for diluted solutions).
• Risks when handling hot items up to 50°C (gloves, aprons).
• Weather conditions, which are neither exceptional or extreme (headgear, seasonal outdoor clothing).
• Minor impacts and vibrations (light protective anti-scalping helmets, gloves, light footwear, etc.).
• Sunlight (sunglasses).

For these types of PPE, the manufacturer may perform tests and certify the products themselves. PPE in this category are marked with the CE symbol.

2. CATEGORY – MID-LEVEL RISK

This category includes PPE that offers a higher level of protection. For examples, gloves that offer strong protection against cuts, punctures and abrasion. Products in this category must be tested and certified by an independent, accredited institution.

PPE in this category must be marked with the CE symbol and include additional pictograms or information identifying their specific features. The instruction manual should include the name and address or identification number of the independent, accredited testing institution.

3. CATEGORY – SERIOUS OR MORTAL RISK

PPE in this category is designed to protect against mortal dangers or dangers that may seriously and irreversibly harm the user´s health. This category only includes the following:

• Respiratory filtering devices for protection against aerosols in solid or liquid form or against irritants, dangerous, toxic or radioactive gases.
• Equipment for respiratory protection devices that provide full insulation from the atmosphere including diving.
• PPE that provides only limited protection against chemical attacks or ionizing radiation.
• Emergency equipment for use in hot environments with comparable effects of an air temperature of a 100 °C or higher, where there may or may not be infrared radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material.
• Emergency equipment for use in cold environments with comparable effects of an temperature of -50°C or lower.
• PPE that protects against falls from heights.
• PPE against electrical risks and dangerous voltages or equipment that is used as insulation high-tension work.

PPE in this category must be tested and certified by an independent, accredited institution and the quality assurance system used by the manufacturer to guarantee the quality of production must be independently checked. The PPE must be marked with the CE symbol, and it must include the identification number of the accredited institution. For example: CE 1019.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

• Only the manufacturer may repair or modify PPE products.
• Inspections must be performed on all parts of PPE products.
• The final step in each inspection is a functionality test.
• The products must be inspected every 12 months from the date of first use or from the date of the last inspection by a competetiv person.
• Every inspection must be recorded.
• Before inspection, it is important to clean heavily soiled PPE using only the recommended cleaning agents and procedures!
• If you have any questions about the correct use of PPE, contact the manufacturer or distributor.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS