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We will ensure that all items of PPE issued conform to the relevant British (BS) and European (EN) Standards. However, it must be noted that PPE should be considered as a last line of defence in the combat of risk control and should not be used as a shortcut to eliminate risk.
All PPE issued must be maintained in good order and not adapted in any way by the user. Any defective PPE must be reported at once to the relevant manager or supervisor.
The Company’s Contracts / Project / Site Managers are responsible for implementation of this procedure. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all operatives wear the necessary PPE and have the final say.
All operatives are responsible for the correct use of all PPE that has been issued to them and not to tamper with or alter any of the equipment.
The Construction Directors / H&S department are responsible for monitoring compliance with this procedure.
Personal protective equipment applies to all areas of the body, and includes such items as footwear, wet weather gear, safety helmets, goggles, glasses, ear defenders, gloves and height safety equipment.
The following PPE policy is mandatory on all Coinford projects, please refer to client PPE policy for any specific client requirements:
Safety Boots
Safety boots with ankle support, toe and midsole protection that conform to EN ISO 20345 S3 must be worn. Toe protection can be steel, kevlar or composite. Trainer type safety shoes are available and offer the same penetration protection level, however we have reviewed them for our works and due to the fact they have no ankle support and we strongly recommend against them being worn on construction sites, due to the increased risk of ankle injuries.
Wellington Boots
Wellington boots must also have toe and midsole penetration protection that conform to EN ISO 20345 S5. Any works involving placing boots into concrete (pouring RC slabs, oversite floors etc) wellington boots must be worn in place of standard Safety boots. Wellington boots can also be worn during periods of wet weather.
Hard Hat
Hard hats worn must confirm to BS EN 397, be in clean, presentable and good condition. Hard hats must not be painted or defaced. During colder winter months a hard hat liner can be worn underneath the hard hat, secured to the inside of the hard hat. At no time are hoodies allowed to be worn underneath a hard hat.
The colour of the safety helmets will be dictated dependant of the level management:
Site operatives – White
Site/Project Management – Black
Senior Management (Contracts Managers, Directors, H&S Manager) – Black
Hi Vis vest
The standard Hi-Vis will be a Class 2 vest that conform to EN 471 (Note: Class 3 vests are required when on the certain public highway 278 works, dependant on the authority responsible for the road). As with all PPE, no vests are to be defaced, modified or cut down. Supervisors will be required to wear a Hi-Vis which identifies them as a supervisor. All vests to be 'Coinford branded.
Shorts
Shorts can be worn depending on the tasks being completed. Shorts must be of knee length, no shorter, robust material (cargo type short). No sportswear or cut-off jeans allowed. All operatives are to bring shorts AND trousers to work every day. If the work involves working with Concrete/Tarmac or substances hazardous to skin contact, trousers must be worn at all times. Anyone seen to be working with concrete/tarmac without trousers will be asked to leave the site. If operatives do not change clothing when required, then shorts will be banned.
T Shirt
A minimum of a T shirt which covers the shoulders with sleeves is to be worn. Must be clean and presentable. No offensive messages. No vest type tops allowed.
Gloves
Gloves worn must be suitable to the tasks, and robust enough to provide protection. Gloves must conform to BS EN 388. Gloves are not disposable items and in many cases can be machine washed to prolong lifespan. During operations that involve pouring concrete, rubber PVC/neoprene waterproof gloves to be worn.
Safety googles
Eye protection will need to be worn as per the task specific risk assessment. Eye protection for using the petrol saw must conform to BS EN 166B and be of the fully enclosed (goggles) type. Safety glasses may be suitable for lower risk tasks - refer to task RAMS.
Hearing protection
Either ear defenders or ear plugs can be worn when tasks create sound levels above the legal level of 85db. These must be available in the site office. If ear plugs are used, they must be worn correctly. Ensure plugs are changed if they become dirty. Ear defenders must be free from damage and maintained in a clean condition.
Coveralls
During operations pouring concrete from a concrete pump or excavator pouring bucket where concrete is liable to splash, disposable coveralls must be worn over existing clothing. Alongside the coveralls, eye protection confirming to BS EN 166F must also be worn and rubber PVC/neoprene gloves.
The use of Bluetooth earpieces or mobile phone ear buds is strictly prohibited whilst on site.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations requires employers and the self-employed to identify and assess the risks to health and safety at work to enable the provision of appropriate measures to minimise risk.
Where it is identified that PPE is required to help control risks it must be suitable for the activity and conditions in which it is to be used. To be suitable PPE must be:
Assessed as appropriate both to the risk and working conditions;
Selected to take into account factors such as length of time it needs to be worn and the need to be able to see and hear;
Capable of fitting the wearer correctly;
Compatible with other PPE which may need to be worn e. g hard hats;
In accordance with relevant standards and carry a CE mark (if issued after June 1995), see below for list of standards.
Following a risk assessment, if personal protective equipment is required that is over and above the site requirement, then the equipment issued must be appropriate to the particular activity and suitable training must be given.
The following PPE is mandatory on all Company’s construction projects:
Safety Helmet: BS EN.397: 1995
Hi-visibility jacket: EN 471 Class 2 or 3.
Safety Footwear: EN 345/20345 - SPB
Hand Protection: BS EN 388
Other PPE must conform to the following standards:
Eye Protection: BS EN 166 B High Energy Impact (190m/sec)
Ear Protection: BS EN 352 Part 1 / Part 2
Respirators/Dust masks: BS EN 149/2001 FFP3 as a minimum
Height Safety Equipment: Relevant Standard (see WAH procedures)
All PPE issued must be recorded detailing the date of issue and the recipient’s name; this can be recorded in the PPE Issue Register HSF 805.
It is equally important to ensure that all users are made aware of the reason for its issue and for selecting the particular type of PPE. This is in order that they fully appreciate the appropriateness of the PPE and do not substitute it for an inferior type that does not protect against the risk.
Sub-Contractors are to ensure that all Operatives are supplied with a Site Safety Helmet of one colour which should be continuous throughout all of their Operatives.
Only the logo of the Company that is employing the Operative is permitted to be shown and any additional stickers relevant to other contracts are to be removed.
The conditions and standards of the safety helmet must be fully compliant with the latest standards as above. Bump Caps conforming to EN 892 1997 will not be permitted on any Company development.
All Operatives must wear High-Vis jackets / waistcoats (only respective Company logos or plain finish is permitted), and comply with the minimum requirement of the standards detailed above.
Sub-Contractors are to ensure all Operatives wear compliant safety footwear that meets the requirement of the standards detailed above and be suitable for the environment in which the operative will be working, i.e. non slip soles for roofers and full ankle support for ground workers.
Sub-Contractors are to ensure that all Operatives are issued with any additional PPE required which is particular to the scope of works undertaken as determined by their Risk Assessment (i.e. protective eyewear, safety gloves, ear defenders etc.)
PPE must never be regarded as a quick fix to control or avoid an impending risk. It must always be considered as a last line of defence in the combat of risk.
It is not the policy of The Company to issue PPE to sub-contractors. This will be under the discretion of the Company’s Project Management Team. Where PPE is issued to sub-contractors, Company’s Project Management Team may impose a contra-charge against them.
The Company will provide PPE for our site visitors should there be a likelihood of them being exposed to a risk, but this PPE must be returned after the visit is completed.
