When a risk cannot be eliminated, the person has to be protected. This lesson explains the order of measures, personal protective equipment and safety signs.
The order of measures
The law gives priority to collective protection over individual protection (Lei n.º 102/2009, article 15(2)(j)). In practical terms, the order is:
- Eliminate the hazard or replace it with something less dangerous.
- Isolate or reduce the risk at source, for example with machine guards, ventilation or barriers.
- Organise the work so as to reduce exposure: rotation of tasks, breaks, clear instructions.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the risk that remains.
Relying on PPE alone is the weakest option: it protects only the person wearing it, and only if it is worn properly.
Personal protective equipment
Decreto-Lei n.º 348/93 (Decree-Law 348/93) sets out the rules for the use of PPE. PPE is any equipment that the worker wears or holds to protect against one or more risks. The main points:
- PPE is used only when the risks cannot be avoided or sufficiently limited by collective means;
- it must be suited to the risk and to the user, and carry the CE marking and instructions;
- it is supplied by the employer at no cost to the worker (Lei n.º 102/2009, article 15(12));
- workers receive information and training on how to use it;
- it is for personal use, as a rule, and must be kept clean, in good condition and replaced when damaged.
Examples of PPE, by part of the body:
- head: hard hat;
- eyes and face: goggles, visor;
- ears: earplugs, earmuffs;
- respiratory system: masks and filters;
- hands: gloves, depending on the risk (cuts, chemicals, heat);
- feet: safety footwear with toe cap and non-slip sole;
- body: protective clothing, high-visibility vests;
- fall from a height: harness with lifeline.
The worker must wear PPE whenever it is mandatory, following the instructions, check its condition before use and report damage or wear. Unsuitable or badly fitted PPE can give a false sense of security.
Safety signs
Decreto-Lei n.º 141/95 (Decree-Law 141/95) sets the minimum requirements for safety and health signs at work. Signs use shapes and colours that can be understood without text. It is worth knowing the main ones:
- Prohibition: a circle with a red border and diagonal bar on a white background. It tells you what you must not do (for example, no smoking).
- Warning: a yellow triangle with a black border. It draws attention to a hazard (electricity, toxic substances, slippery floor).
- Mandatory: a blue circle with a white symbol. It tells you what you must do or wear (wear a hard hat, protect your eyes).
- Rescue and first aid: a green rectangle or square with a white symbol. It shows exits, evacuation routes and first aid points.
- Fire-fighting: a red rectangle or square with a white symbol. It shows extinguishers, hydrants and alarms.
Besides panels, there are illuminated signs, acoustic signals (such as the evacuation alarm) and hand signals, used for example to guide crane and vehicle manoeuvres.
Rules for everyone
- Obey the signs, even if nobody is watching.
- Never cover, remove or damage signs.
- Report it if a sign is missing, unreadable or badly placed.
- Ask your superior when you do not understand a sign.