WHY WEAR SAFETY SHOES? (PPE)

You may have already heard the term "PPE" or perhaps you have to wear special equipment at work. But do you know the reasons why? Parade Protection will explain from A to Z why you need to wear PPE in the workplace.

In this article, we will first look at what PPE is. Parade Protection will then explain the benefits of wearing PPE. Then we'll look at the consequences of not wearing PPE. Finally, we'll show you some of Parade Protection safety shoes to help you find the right one for you.

1 : What is PPE?

First of all, let's start at the beginning. The acronym "PPE" stands for personal protective equipment. In this article we will only cover PPE for workers.

According to the Labour Code, PPE is defined as "devices or tools to be worn or held by a person to protect them from one or more risks likely to endanger their health or safety". Protective equipment protects different parts of the body and can take a variety of forms: goggles, gloves, earplugs, breathing apparatus, safety shoes, etc.

This equipment protects users during their working hours from risks of various origins:

- mechanical (impacts, cuts, falls, splashes, etc.)
- electrical
- organic
- chemical (contact with corrosive and irritating liquids, inhalation, etc.)
- heat and cold
- noise...

2 : Why wear personal protective equipment?

The risk assessment carried out by the company must be the starting point for the use of PPE. This risk assessment enables the employer to define preventive measures to put in place to protect the health and safety of its employees. These measures may be technical, organisational or human, but always follow the general principles of prevention, i.e. eliminating or reducing risks.

If it is impossible or insufficient to eliminate the risks, the employer must put in place collective protection measures. If this is technically impossible or insufficient, he must provide his employees with the appropriate personal protective equipment free of charge, in accordance with article R423-95 of the Labour Code.

Regulation 2016/425, on personal protective equipment dictates a number of actions and obligations for employers, including:

- Make PPE available free of charge

- Check that PPE has been correctly selected on the basis of a risk analysis

- Prevent and train users to wear PPE correctly

- Ensure that the equipment is used effectively

- Check PPE compliance

- Inform the people responsible for implementing or maintaining PPE

- Ensure that the PPE is in good working order and in a satisfactory state of hygiene through maintenance, repair and replacement

For their part, employees also have duties in relation to PPE. Under Articles L4122-1 of the Labour Code, workers are obliged to wear the PPE made available to them:

"[...] Every worker has a responsibility to take care, in accordance with their training and abilities, of their own health and safety and that of other persons affected by their acts or omissions at work [...] ”. This is a ‘best endeavours obligation’ under which employees must make every effort to ensure their own safety and the safety of their surroundings in the workplace.

In addition, employees must ensure that their equipment is in good condition before use, comply with safety and PPE use instructions, and alert the employer to any work situation presenting a potential risk.

This means that both parties, employer and employee, are liable.

3 : What are the consequences of not wearing PPE?

Failure by employees to comply with safety instructions, and in particular failure to wear personal protective equipment, is considered negligence by law. The law provides for various penalties ranging from a warning to dismissal for the employee concerned. Penalties vary according to the seriousness of the negligence and on a case-by-case basis. It is up to the employer to identify and enforce them.

As far as the employer is concerned, if they fail in their duty of safety and an accident occurs in the workplace, the employer incurs civil and criminal liability.

Both parties are therefore liable.

Apart from the criminal penalties for both parties, the consequences of not wearing PPE can be considerable for your health. It should not be forgotten that personal protective equipment is there to ensure the full safety and protection of the user in the workplace. Raising awareness and training employees to wear PPE is therefore essential to avoid any danger.

4 : Parade Protection safety shoes

For some people, PPE can be perceived as a constraint: uncomfortable, embarrassing or unsightly. That's why it's so important to involve employees in their choice of PPE.

To find the most suitable safety footwear compatible with your work environment, read our article explaining the different standards.

Below is a selection of Parade Protection shoes:

VERGER (unisex) - S1P – The eco-friendly safety shoe

SLALUM (unisex) - S1P – The spirit of ultra-comfortable trainers

TREYK (unisex) -S3 – The all-terrain shoe

BRIANA (women) - S3 - Designed for women

JAMMA (unisex) - S3 – The iconic sneaker

NARENA (unisex) - S3 – The all-options safety shoe for the construction industry

You're sure to find the right safety shoes at Parade Protection!

-20%

Narena

-40%

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