Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE)

Document no. ST00.653.1080

Revision 1.1, February 2019

Revision X.Y, Month Year

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Approved by Jim McQueenie Date:

Reviewed by Date:

Morgan Adam
Prepared by Date:

Revision history

Rev Date

Revision control

Major revisions of this document are to be approved by the approver of the document. These major
revisions are identified by using the next whole number for the revision number. Minor revisions are those
of a minor nature that include changes to references or minor wording and are approved by the author of
the document. Minor revisions are shown by using the next decimal number. In both cases a clear
description of the revision change is to be provided including section numbers where applicable.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Contents
1 Purpose 4

2 Scope 4

3 Minimum requirements 4
3.1 The Use of PPE 4
3.2 PPE Requirements 4
3.3 Assessing PPE 5
3.4 Information and Instruction 5
3.5 Potential Hazards and PPE to Consider 5

4 Compulsory documentation 7

5 Definitions 7

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 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

1 Purpose

The purpose of this management standard is to define the minimum requirements for the use of PPE when
working at all Stork locations and at client locations on behalf of Stork.

2 Scope

This management standard is applicable to all Stork businesses globally and shall be referenced when
developing regional and site level procedures to ensure compliance with the standard.

It also applies to those companies/joint ventures where Stork has operational control, and to those
companies/joint ventures that work for Stork as (sub) contractor and where Stork has operational control.
In case of doubt please contact the Stork group HSE team who will provide support and assistance in the
decision process if a (sub) contractor is in scope or not.

This standard does not address requirements to comply with local legislation / regulations as these will be
addressed in Regional Management Systems.

3 Minimum requirements

3.1 The Use of PPE

The use of PPE is regarded as the least effective risk control measure and shall always be considered as a
“last line of defence” should other control measures fail. It shall never increase the overall risk to the
wearer or other individuals in the work area.

PPE that is damaged or excessively contaminated shall not be worn or used. Contaminants can cause skin
complaints such as eczema or dermatitis and in certain cases; prolonged exposure may expose the wearer
to more serious ailments such as certain types of cancers. If there is any doubt then the item of PPE should
be replaced.

3.2 PPE Requirements

All PPE shall meet the regulatory requirements of the geographical location where it is being used.

All personnel shall comply with the PPE requirements of the work area they are entering or the task being
carried out.

The wearing of hooded tops and loose fitting clothing which protrudes out with the PPE being worn is
prohibited due to the risk of snagging and entanglement.

Any items of clothing worn over PPE shall demonstrate the same protective properties as the items of PPE
being worn over i.e. flame retardant.

Stork personnel are responsible for ensuring clients, contractors and visitors are informed of the Stork PPE
requirements for the intended work area.

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 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

3.3 Assessing PPE

The level and types of PPE required to be worn for any task shall be identified during the risk assessment
process.

The following shall be considered when assessing the suitability of items of PPE:

 Does the PPE protect the wearer from the risks and take account of the environmental conditions
where the task is taking place?
 Does using an item of PPE increase the overall level of risk or add new risks?
 Does the PPE fit the wearer correctly?
 Can the item be adjusted to fit the wearer correctly?
 What are the requirements of the task and the associated demands placed on the wearer i.e. the
length of time the PPE is required to be worn, the physical effort required to carry-out the task, the
requirements for visibility and communication?
 If individuals are required to wear more than one item of PPE, are these items compatible i.e. does
the use of a mask make it difficult to properly wear eye protection?

The PPE identified shall be periodically evaluated to ensure its effectiveness.

3.4 Information and Instruction

All personnel required to wear PPE shall have received suitable instruction relevant to the items being
worn.

This shall include:

 The reasons why PPE is required
 When PPE is to be used
 The limitations associated with items of PPE, including any limits to the duration of wear
 How to correctly wear items of PPE
 How to correctly check, store and maintain items of PPE
 How to report any damaged or lost items of PPE and request replacements

3.5 Potential Hazards and PPE to Consider

The following parts of the body and associated hazards shall be considered, but not limited to, when
assessing the need for PPE.

Eyes and Face

Hazards: Chemical or metal splash, dust, projectiles, gas and vapour, radiation.
PPE: Safety glasses (prescription and non-prescription), goggles, face-shields, visors.

Hearing
Hazards: Prolonged exposure to hazardous noise levels identified through noise assessments, short or
sudden exposure to high noise levels.
PPE: Disposable or moulded ear plugs, ear defenders.

Head
Hazards: Impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair entanglement, temperature
extremes, adverse weather (UV levels, rain, snow, wind).
PPE: Hard hats, bump caps (the use of bump caps is dependent on risk assessments and only for certain
activities), rope access helmets.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Hard hats have a shelf life, usually 3 to 5 years, due to the effects of ultra violet on the shell. Therefore,
long hours of exposure to daylight can reduce the life span of a hard hat. All hard hats should be stored
away from direct sunlight or any sources of potential damage when not in use.

Paint, marker pens and adhesive stickers shall not be used on hard hats unless specifically designed for
that purpose. Physical impacts can also affect the structural integrity of a hard hat. It is recommended
that hard hats are inspected on a regular basis and changed out as and when required.

In cold environments, the use of thermal hoods in conjunction with hard hats shall be adopted. Hooded
tops shall not be worn out with the PPE e.g. under a hard hat.

Breathing
Hazards: Dust, vapour, fumes, gas, oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
PPE: Disposable filtering face-mask, half- or full-face respirators, air-fed helmets, breathing apparatus (air-
line fed, full duration, escape duration).

Face fit tests shall be carried out to ensure the correct fit of the respiratory protective equipment where
required.

Body and Legs

Hazards: Hazardous substance contamination, flame and sparks, temperature extremes, adverse weather
(UV levels, rain, snow, wind), chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks, impact or penetration,
contaminated dust, electricity.
PPE: Long sleeve high visibility flame retardant (where applicable) coveralls / work wear / lab coats
branded in line with company requirements, thermal clothing, water proof jacket and over-trousers,
specialist protective clothing associated with an operation i.e. welding, jet cutting, low static, high
voltage.

Hands and Arms

Hazards: Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals, electric shock, skin
infection, disease or contamination, vibration.
PPE: Gloves and gauntlets (the types, material and cut / puncture rating will be dependent on the activity
being carried out and the nature of hazards).

Barrier creams are not a suitable substitute for the use of PPE.

Wearing gloves for long periods of time can make the skin hot and sweaty, leading to the onset of skin
conditions; using a separate cotton inner glove can help prevent this.

Be aware that some individuals may be allergic to materials used in certain types of gloves e.g. Latex.
Where this is the case then other alternatives shall be sourced.

Feet and Ankles

Hazards: Wet environments, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and punctures, falling objects, metal and
chemical splash, abrasion, sprains.

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 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE: Safety boots with protective toe caps, penetration-resistant mid-sole and suitable ankle support i.e.
lace and zip boot; safety shoes with protective toe caps and penetration-resistant mid-sole; safety rubber
boots with protective toe caps.

The use of slip on type safety boots is not recommended as they provide little or no suitable ankle support.

Fall Protection
Hazards: Working at Height, and working next to pits, access hatches, man-holes, trenches and excavations
PPE: Full-body harness, work positioning lanyard, double shock absorbing lanyard which is shorter than the
potential fall distance, self-retracting inertia reel.

4 Compulsory documentation

5 Definitions

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