Practice Questions Flashcards
Why should PPE only be considered as a last resort
- Engineering controls should be a priority
- PPE only protects the sole user
- PPE has to be used by a competent user
- PPE is a lot of work. It requires training, correct storage, inspections, and parts
What equipment warrants an instant fail if shock or overloaded?
Any piece of equipment that has been subject to a shock or overload should be instantly failed
What are evident signs of wear or damage when looking at a device?
- Body Deformation (Metal, Plastic, and Textile)
- Cracks
- Corrosion
- Severe Abrasion (More than 10% of material worn)
- Deep Scratches
What is the process of inspection?
- Aquire equipment history, data, and technical documents
- Review last inspection report
- Review product history
- Look for the CE marking and its authenticity
- Ensure that the product hasn’t exceeded its lifetime
- Compare to new equivalent (Old to New)
- Visual and Tactile testing
- Function test at ground level with 35KG for some gear
- Make the decision to fail or pass with relevant paperwork
What are the general requirements to consider for a product to comply with the CE marking?
General:
- Ergonomics
- PPE doesn’t cause harm to the user (Materials, Health…)
- Comfort and efficiency factor (Fit, Lightness, Strength…)
- PPE instructions for use
Common Requirements:
- Adjustment, aging, rapid interventions
Requirements Specific to Particular Hazards:
- Slipping, falls from height, heat, cold, radiation…
What are the storage, transport, and quarantine requirements for PPE?
- Avoid extreme temperatures
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Keep well ventilated
- Store uncompressed
- Avoid harsh or corrosive substances
- Clean and dry the product if needed
- Quaratine if damaged, defective or awaiting repair
What are the lifetimes for Plastics, Textiles, and Metal products?
- Plastic = 10 years from the date of manufacturing
- Textiles = 10 years from the date of manufacturing
- Metal = Unlimited lifetime
What are the contents needed for a safety register?
- Date of purchase
- Date of first use
- Date of manufacturing (and expiration if appropriate)
- User/ Company
- Record of previous inspections
- Product history
- Serial Number / personal identifying number
- Complying standards (CE, ANSI etc…)
- Model and Manufactuer
- Single address for the manufacturer
What are the two essential tasks when destroying fall protection PPE?
Administrative destruction
- File should show that the product has been pulled from service with an accompanying picture of the product.
Physical destruction
- Destruction of the product so that it cannot be mistakenly reused once disposed of. Cutting less than 2m lengths for rope, sawing in half, or using a cutting disk in a grinder to deem unusable.
What markings are required on PPE?
- A CE marking
- Serial number (traceability)
- An icon directing the user to read the instructions for use
Markings must be clear and legible.
When should a detailed inspection be carried out?
At a maximum, every 12 months. Local laws may require detailed inspections sooner.
E.g: UAE = Every 6 months.
Can a product be approved to a provisional standard?
Yes, but the product will be limited to professional use only.
E.g: PETZL ZigZag.
How long must I keep inspection records after a product is destroyed?
5 Years.
Local laws may vary.
When and who should PPE be inspected by?
- Pre-use checks = The user
- Periodic Inspections = A competent person
- After a shocklod = A competent person
- Specilist and detailed inspections = Manufacturer
What are the different categories of PPE?
CATEGORY 1:
- Protects against a single hazard.
E.G: Garden gloves, eyeglasses, thimble
CATEGORY 2:
- Protects the user from hazards that can cause more harm.
E.G: Crampons, Sports harnesses
CATEGORY 3:
- Protects the user from immediate hazards that will harm with no notice. Will protect the user without intervention by the user like falling from a height.
E.G: Fully body harnesses, Carabiner
