Viewpoint: PPE providers consider vending vision

There is a vast array of roles and applications that demand the use of personal protection equipment (PPE) within the engineering community.

However, no matter how many controls and safe systems of work that are put in place, there are always going to be some hazards that cannot be controlled.

Fortunately, the risks to people can be mitigated. For many businesses, PPE equipment may be distributed in the same way as parts and spares – via a counter and a stores person, for instance.

Early obstacles

In this situation employees are required to collect their own safety equipment when they need it via a fairly simplistic logging process.

Unfortunately, this solution comes with a number of pitfalls. These include: inadequate location; potential for human error; PPE sizing issue; and accountability and logging.

When you consider these factors it’s easy to see how the provision of PPE can be a financial burden on a company, particularly when employees use the stores facility regularly for lost or forgotten items.

The problem can then become compounded if a poor auditing system is in place, as there is little chance of documenting compliance and where the gaps are.

There is, however, one potential solution in the form of a new technology offering – the PPE vending machine.

Vending machines are not a new technology, but with the ability to have access control via devices such as a dedicated employee swipe card or key fob, it is possible to ensure all employees are wearing the correct PPE, and that each and every dispense is recorded for greater accountability.

Where the technology really comes into its own is through the ability to tailor an individual’s access to ensure they can only withdraw the PPE that is suitable to their job.

Vending machines are not a new technology, but with the ability to have access control via devices such as a dedicated employee swipe card or key fob, it is possible to ensure all employees are wearing the correct PPE, and that each and every dispense is recorded for greater accountability

This helps avoid the risk of equipment not being strong enough or designed for the role in hand. Similarly, electronic access offers a traceable record of how often employees collect PPE, making it easy to monitor those who make numerous dispenses and those not updating it as regularly as they should.

A further consideration for companies seeing a high turnover of PPE equipment is to enforce an authorisation level for some of the more costly pieces of kit.

This measure helps to keep costs down as it means equipment can only be replaced for genuine reasons such as wear and tear, rather than because equipment is lost on a day-to-day basis.

Needless to say, the core responsibility of employers is to provide the right equipment to the right individuals.

Where companies can offer quick and easy distribution of the full range of PPE equipment, in a convenient location, it is also highly likely that they will see an increase in the take-up of that equipment.

• Nigel Hewitt is the new business development manager for vending solutions at Eriks.