Introduction

Technical treatment of different textile materials is laid down blizzard to the world. In this globalization of science and technology, new technologies like fine chemicals, optical fibers, high polymer plastics, resins, temperature-resistant textile fibers, fiber-reinforced composites etc have proved improved alternative in the form of technical textiles and has updated the blueprint of production; consumption and trade in a considerable way.

Utilisation

Besides traditional textile practicing, technical textiles are used by various industries like advertising banner, automobile, agriculture, aviation, civil engineering, chemical, leather, horticulture, medical, mining, petroleum, packaging, pharmaceutical, electrical, environment protection, food processing, furniture, printing, rubber, transportation, protective and safety clothing etc.

It covers safeguard against cuts, nuclear, biological and chemical hazards, high voltages and static electricity and other types of harsh effects covering stab wounds, explosions, abrasion, ballistic, fire and extreme heat, dust and particles. Hence, there is a requirement to safeguard the sensitive machinery and equipment by means of cleaning the rooms or stores and provided it with covering and also to protect the employees by providing personal protective equipment according to the workplace.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

According to European Council Directive 89/856/EEC protective clothing is that: by an individual any tool or method intended to be put on or held for protection against one or more health and safety hazards in the execution of the user's activities is called Protective Personal Equipment and in short form it is called as PPE. To trim down the possible hazards significantly for the individual worker, PPE is the ultimate protective application after the whole planning, training and procedural efforts.

There are three types of personal protective equipment according to hazard/ risks involved:

. Low risks Personal Protective Equipment: This falls under category-I: Low risks or general personal protective equipment like simple gloves, head gear, footwear, sun glasses, traditional work wear etc.

. Medium risks Personal Protective Equipment: This falls under category-II type: Medium risks.

. High Risks Personal Protective Equipment: This falls under category-III: Like respiratory/lung related equipment for fire fighter, protective gloves against very high temperatures etc for very risky operation of works.

PPE Program for safety purposes

At the place of work frequent causes of main hazards are in the form of:

. Mechanical harm
. Soaring elements/ fine particles generated during the process
. Heat, concentrated light, sound and dust
. Radiation, germs, chemical wastes, gaseous pollution
. Unpleasant weather / Unconditional workplace

While considering or implementing PPE program and to come across these risks one has to review and analyze the type of involved risks and take required steps accordingly. Though many changes take place at the work place frequent review is a must.

In any organization hazardous / risks are drop off in the following ways:

. Abolishment - Fist and fore most is to eliminate hazards or hazardous work practice at the place of work itself is an important step, which can bring down the risk.

. Replacement - Substitute a risky or hazardous work practice with a less hazardous place one.

. Segregation - People who are not educated/ informed in the work place, short out the hazardous practice / areas as Danger Zone.

. Engineering - It covers some alteration in the apparatus or providing protector to machinery.

. Awareness/ Training Program - This covers training to increase the awareness to reduce the risks at the work places.

. Personal protective Equipment - It should be applied only when other control measures are not possible, or to increase protection, this is the last but not least acceptable alternative.