PPE & Safety Signs

Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Signs

2022 WHS (General) Regulations & 1996 OHS Regulations

Are there are substantial differences? – YES

WHS Regulations

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Part3.2 Division 5 – Personal Protective Equipment R44 , R45, R46 and R47

R44 (3) (edited)  – PPE is suitable having regard to the nature of the work and any hazard associated with the work and a suitable size and fit and reasonably comfortable.

R44(4) (edited) –  PPE : Provide information, training and instruction in the proper use and wearing,  storage and maintenance.

Advisory  information on PPE and applicable Australian Standards is provided in the WA Approved Code of Practice – Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and several other Codes of Practice.

Signs

The Australian Standard for safety signs is not prescribed in the WHS Regulations; but can be found in the WA Approved Code of Practice – Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment.

Comment

• Australian standards for PPE are not prescribed in the regulations with minor exceptions:

R221 – Plant used in connection with tree lopping (1A) Harness – AS/NZS 1891.1:2007 

R184A – Use of power tools on engineered stone products (3) (b) Respiratory Protection complies with AS/NZS 1716:2012 .

• The compliance criteria used in R44 (3) – “Suitable for the work, suitable size and fit, and reasonably comfortable” is subjective; may be difficult to police and determine compliance/non-compliance with WHS obligations.

OHS Regulations

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Australian Standards for Personal protective Equipment are prescribed in :

R 3.33 – Personal protective clothing and equipment and R 3.47 – Personal hearing protectors.

Signs

R 3.11. (b) Warning signs for hazards – complies with AS 1319 (edited).

iSOL8 Consultants are experienced in assessing documents and systems for compliance and ease of use.

Contact Craig Power on 0435 763 832, 08 6166 9110 or email craig.power@isol8.systems