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FAQ-Personal Protective Equipment

On this page you will find frequently asked questions from our customers on the subject of personal protective equipment (PPE). If you have a question that is not answered here, please do not hesitate to ask us. We will be happy to answer them personally or by e-mail to Mr. Lübko.

Your questions:

Our answers:

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Explanation: Personal protective equipment (PPE) serves to protect against hazards at the place of use and is required by law. BGR 198 already prescribed from a working height of 1m.

 

Why do I have to wear PPE against falls from a height?

The European legislator stipulates that employers are obliged to take measures to protect their employees. This also applies to work at height and fall hazards, where there is a risk of a fall resulting in serious or even fatal injury.

 

What is the legal basis?

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG)
  • PPE Usage Ordinance (PSA-BV)
  • Technical rules for workplaces (ASR A2.1)
  • DGUV regulations
  • DGUV rules
  • DGUV Information
  • DGUV principles

 

At what height do I have to wear PPE?

According to ASR A2.1, it is necessary to wear PPE from a fall height of 2.00 m. In the case of water or substances in which it is possible to sink, it is necessary to wear PPE from 0.00 m in accordance with ASR A2.1.

 

What are the different types of PPE?

  • Safety harnesses according to DIN EN 361
  • Lanyards according to DIN EN 354
  • Lifting/connecting devices according to DIN EN 354 and 795
  • Travelling fall arresters according to DIN EN 353-2
  • Fall arrester according to DIN EN 355
  • Retractable type fall arresters according to DIN EN 360
  • Anchor devices according to DIN EN 795

 

How do I know which PPE to use?

A risk assessment must be carried out in the company/at the workplace (by the company safety officer and, if necessary, external consultants). After the hazard has been determined, a product selection can take place according to the criteria of approval, labelling and instructions for use. The desired radius of action, user weight and drop height/distance should be taken into account.

 

How do I determine the required clear height to select my fall arrest system?

The required clear height is calculated from the fall distance and the safety distance. The following pictures illustrate two common cases.

 

PSA_Calculation drop height_1

PSA_Calculation drop height_2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How often do I have to check my PPE?

The following applies in principle: Before each use, the PPE must be visually inspected by the user for damage. In addition, an inspection by an expert (trained in accordance with DGUV principles 312-906) is required once a year.

 

How long can I use my PPE against falls from a height?

The duration of use of PPE against falls from a height depends on various factors. One factor is wear and tear. Empirical values according to DGUV regulation 112-198 state that safety harnesses are ready for discard after 6-8 years and textile lanyards are ready for discard after 4-6 years. However, this information may vary depending on the manufacturer.

PPE against falls from a height can be stored for a period of 2 years if stored properly. This results in a maximum service life of 10 years for harnesses and a maximum of 8 years for lanyards. Decisive data are the date of manufacture and the date of first use, which must be documented in the operating instructions/test book.

Damaged PPE or PPE that has been stressed by a fall must generally be withdrawn from use.

Important note: PPE must not be labelled independently. If the PPE is to be personalized (e.g. with user names), this can be done by means of an additional name label, provided that the user has been informed in advance. Labeled PPE is declared ready for discard upon inspection.

 

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