A guide to the current classifications for Personal Protective Equipment
This guide will help you understand the many codes relating
to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the level of protection afforded by
the products that bear them.
CE All PPE should carry the CE Mark appearing in
the form of the letters CE which is an abbreviation for Conformitι Europιenne
(French for European Conformity). Any product bearing the CE mark conforms to
all current requirements and other applicable provisions imposed upon it by
European legislation, and that the product has been subject to the appropriate
conformity assessment procedure(s).
SAFETY FOOTWEAR
EN345 (200 Joules) All safety footwear, regardless
of style, should have steel toe-caps conforming to EN345 (200 Joules). This
means the steel toe-cap will withstand the impact of 20kg in weight falling on
to the toes from a height of 10.2 metres. This standard also relates to
compression protection corresponding to approximately 1.5 tonnes resting on the
toe area.
FLAME RETARDANT
Wearing appropriate protection when working in foundries or
when welding is essential, but ensure that you have the correct product for your
particular environment and work.
EN470 Part 1 specification for use in welding and
similar activities.
EN531 specification for industrial workers exposed
to heat.
HIGH VISIBILITY GARMENTS
All high visibility garments should meet the current
requirements of The Safety at Street Work and Road Works Code of Practice.
EN471 Class 3 is the highest protection level
(maximum protection). This level of protection should be worn on trunk roads and
all other roads forming the Primary Route Network (PRN), roads displaying
green/blue directional signs and all other roads where the speed limit is 40mph
and above.
EN471 Class 2 provides intermediate protection
(medium visibility) and is the minimum requirement when working on all roads
where the speed limit is less than 40mph.
EN471 Class 1 offers the lowest level of
protection and should be only worn in areas of minimal risk, possibly off road
situations such as transport depots.
WATERPROOF CLOTHING
EN343 is the code relating to waterproof garments.
But these garments are also available in three classifications.
EN343 Class 3 affords the highest level of foul
weather protection.
EN343 Class 2 will provide an intermediate level
of foul weather protection.
EN343 Class 1 - provides the lowest level of
foul weather protection.
HEAD PROTECTION
There are two types of protective headgear that provide two
different levels of protection.
EN397 relates to the industrial safety helmet that
will protect against falling objects.
EN812 will normally be found on
baseball-style caps with an inner scalpguard liner to protect against the
accidental scraping and bumping of the head. This type of product is not to be
worn if there is a risk of being struck on the head by falling objects.
PROTECTION FROM NOISE
EN352 is the minimum requirement under current
European legislation for ear defenders and ear plugs.
EYE PROTECTION
EN166 represents the minimum requirement for
safety goggles and spectacles as laid down by European directives.
SAFETY HARNESS
Safety harnesses for working at height should always have
the following codes.
EN361 is the minimum standard required under
current European legislation for a full body safety harness.
EN354 relates to the lanyard used in PPE worn for preventing falls when working at
height.
GLOVES
EN388 is the classification for gloves designed to protect the hands against
mechanical risks
EN407 Protective gloves against thermal hazards
(heat and/or fire)
EN511 Protective gloves against cold
EN374 Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms
EN12477 is the standard for protective gauntlets for welders
COLD STORE CLOTHING
EN342 is the minimum standard for garments worn
for protection against cool environments.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
EN1149 Class 1 Electrostatic properties - Part 1 : test method for measurement of surface resistivity.
KNEE PROTECTION
EN14404 Personal Protective Equipment - knee protectors for work in the kneeling position.
CHAINSAW PROTECTION
EN381 is the classification for protective
clothing for users of hand-held chainsaws. There are 11 separate parts to this
particular classification that cover different garments e.g. boots, gloves,
jackets, trousers etc.
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