PPElaitteet

PPElaitteet, or PPE-laitteet, refers to personal protective equipment designed to protect workers from health and safety hazards in work environments. The term is used in Finnish industrial safety contexts and aligns with international PPE concepts. PPE is intended to reduce exposure to hazards rather than eliminate them, and proper use requires training, fitting, and maintenance.

Major categories include respiratory protection (masks and respirators), eye and face protection (goggles and face shields), hearing protection (earplugs and earmuffs), head protection (hard hats), hand protection (gloves), body protection (protective clothing, aprons, suits), and foot protection (safety shoes and boots). Some devices are specialized for chemical, thermal, or electrical hazards.

Regulation and standards: In the European Union, PPE is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and CE-marked after conformity assessment. Specific standards apply for each category, such as EN 149 for respirators, EN 166 for eye protection, EN 352 for hearing protection, EN 397 for helmets, and EN 374 for protective gloves. Similar frameworks exist in other regions (for example, OSHA standards in the United States).

Use and maintenance: PPE must be selected based on a hazard assessment and properly fitted to the wearer. Training should cover correct usage, limited lifespan, inspection before use, cleaning, storage, and replacement of damaged equipment. PPE does not compensate for missing engineering controls or unsafe work practices.

Limitations and future: PPE reduces risk but has limits; comfort and fit influence compliance. Ongoing evaluation, smart PPE, and integration with engineering and administrative controls improve protection.