Why Drivers Need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its importance have never been more prevalent than in recent times thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, however, for many industries, it has always been a vital part of creating a safe work environment. 

Drivers of heavy goods vehicles are long familiar with PPE and its benefits. PPE is designed to protect you from hazardous situations, and driving a heavy goods vehicle is a very hazardous job role indeed - particularly when handling and transporting dangerous goods. 

Here’s why drivers need PPE and what exactly PPE is.

What is PPE?

Personal protective equipment is designed to safeguard the wearer from any potential health and safety hazards whilst at work. PPE includes protective clothing such as gloves and overalls,as well as masks that will protect your face, and goggles that are designed to protect your eyes. PPE can mitigate the risk of a range of different factors which have been highlighted through health and safety risk assessments. 

PPE is essential for protecting employees from hazards which cannot be controlled further - even where prior steps have been taken for protection. For example, providing hard hats at a building site will always be required, even if workers have been trained in how to handle materials and to navigate a dangerous working environment. 

Why do drivers need PPE?

Safety is paramount 

When working any job that could put you at risk, your employers should be taking proactive steps to protect you from harm’s way. Driving a heavy goods vehicle is a particularly high-risk job, which means that the appropriate safety measures must be taken. In this case, PPE will mitigate the risk of injury when necessary. 

Protect yourself and others

Typical PPE equipment for drivers includes high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and protective gloves. High-visibility clothing will protect drivers and ensure their visibility in areas of high traffic or at night/in areas of low visibility, as well as helping the driver to remain seen and visible while at rest stops. Protective gloves and safety footwear are essential PPE items for drivers loading and unloading their vehicles, protecting hands and feet from rough surfaces and heavy objects falling. 

Specialist loads 

If your transport unit is carrying hazardous goods then you are required to carry additional PPE under ADR law. Transporting, loading and unloading dangerous freight increases the risk of health and safety issues for drivers, who can face danger to the lungs from breathing in contaminated air, the head and feet from falling material, the eyes from flying particles or splashes of corrosive liquids or the skin from contact with corrosive materials. 

Drives of hazardous goods vehicles carrying dangerous goods should be provided with the adequate PPE that will mitigate their risks depending on the classification of their freight under ADR, but this PPE can include eye rinsing liquid, a warning vest, protective gloves and eye protection goggles.

It’s important to note that while PPE is imperative for the protection of drivers, it cannot be substituted for appropriate training and a thorough knowledge of your cargo. Don’t forget to research what PPE you need before you set off on your next job.