How Often Should You Change Your PPE?

We all know the importance of having (and using) the correct Personal Protective Equipment, but do you know how often the item of PPE should be replaced or it's life expectancy?

There is no legislation or Code of Practice stating the life expectancy of any PPE. it is recommended you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  The manufacturer must give the obsolescence deadline or period of obsolescence of PPE or its components. The date of obsolescence is the date from which the PPE becomes useless for its intended use or is no longer fit  for its purpose. (Requirement under  Annex II Article 1.4e, of  EU PPE Directive 89/686, transposed in Ireland as European Communities (Personal Protective Equipment) Regulations 1993).

The manufacturer must provide all information necessary so that the user can determine a reasonable period of obsolescence.  However, the manufacturer is not obliged to affix the date of manufacture on the product or on the instructions for use, although some may do this.

The majority of manufacturers do give information on how to identify the “end of life”, a limiting date of use or a maximum service time.

Now that more trades are back to work, due to an upturn in the construction sector, it is time to check your hard hat (which was in the back of the shed gathering dust).

• Hard hats are normally supplied with an information tag attached giving advice & lifetime expectancy. Some manufacturers say 3 years, others say an in use life of up to 5 years. Obviously how much exposure that they have had, how they have been stored, how many knocks they have had will determine the replacement interval.    
• Generally the following advice will apply:
• Safety helmets need to be changed when damaged, when they have been involved in an accident, when affected by sunlight and so forth. Hard hats will need replacing when the harness is damaged or if it is likely that the shock absorption or penetration resistance has deteriorated. For example, when the shell has received a severe impact, or if deep scratches occur (i.e. to a depth greater than 25% of the shell thickness) or if the shell has any visible cracks. Good maintenance will also keep the hat in good working order and prolong its life. Assuming they have been well maintained & none of the above apply , replace  according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Safety helmets should:

(a) be stored in a safe place, e.g. on a peg or in a cupboard on site;
(b) not be stored in direct sunlight or in excessively hot, humid conditions because long-term exposure can weaken the shell;
(c) be checked regularly for signs of damage or deterioration;
(d) have defective parts replaced (if the model allows this). Parts from one model cannot normally be interchanged with those from another;
(e) have the sweatband cleaned regularly or replaced.

• Certain chemicals can weaken the plastic of the shell leading to rapid deterioration in shock absorption or penetration resistance. Chemicals that should be avoided include aggressive cleaning agents or solvent based adhesives and paints. Where names or other markings need to be applied using adhesives, advice should be sought from the helmet manufacturer.

If you need advise on any items of PPE, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

PPE is easy to replace - your life isn't!