Main risks

• Insufficient protection due to choosing unsuitable equipment, the wrong size or poor fit.
• A false sense of security that may lead to increased exposure to risk.
• Reduced peripheral vision, hearing or mobility, increasing the likelihood of bumps, trips or entanglement.
• Equipment failure due to wear, breakage, cracks, open seams or loose parts during use.
• Skin irritation, allergies or overheating caused by prolonged contact, sweat or lack of ventilation.
• Cross-contamination when reusing or sharing dirty equipment.
• Fatigue or breathing difficulty when using respiratory protection in hot environments or during strenuous work.
• Incompatibility between items (e.g. goggles with masks or earmuffs with helmets) that reduces protection.
• When working at height, a poorly adjusted or degraded restraint or fall-arrest system may result in serious falls.

Safe use

• Select equipment according to the specific risk and the work environment; verify its compatibility with other garments and tools.
• Choose the correct size and adjust straps, bands and fastenings as per the manufacturer's instructions; check the seal on respirators and the correct fit of helmets, goggles and gloves.
• Inspect before each use: look for cracks, deformations, open seams, fatigued elastics, damaged fastenings, scratched visors or expired filters. If in doubt, do not use it.
• Don and doff the equipment with clean hands and avoid skin contact with potentially contaminated surfaces (filters, the outside of masks, gloves, face shields).
• During the task, watch for signs of excessive discomfort, fogging, dizziness or heat. Take breaks in a safe area and hydrate when necessary.
• Do not modify the equipment or use non-original parts. Replace consumables and components following the manufacturer's guidance (e.g. filters, earmuff cushions, visors or helmet suspension harnesses).
• In the presence of dust, splashes or vapours, use the appropriate combination of eye, face and respiratory protection, and remove it only in clean areas.
• Avoid heavy facial hair or other factors that prevent proper sealing of filtering facepiece respirators.
• For restraint or fall-arrest systems, use suitable anchor points and check buckles and fastenings before putting them under load.

Storage and maintenance

• Clean the equipment after use following the manufacturer's instructions; use neutral soap or recommended products and avoid solvents or abrasives.
• Allow to dry completely at room temperature, away from direct heat sources or flames.
• Store in a clean, dry and ventilated place, protected from direct sunlight, dust, moisture, oils and chemicals.
• Do not compress or hang items by elastics or straps. Preserve the shape of helmets, harnesses, visors and hearing protectors.
• Keep filters, lenses and spares in their sealed packaging until use; record the opening date where relevant.
• Periodically check the expiry date and service life; replace equipment that is hardened, discoloured, cracked or with a persistent odour.
• Replace wear parts (pads, straps, internal suspensions, worn gloves) when they lose fit or comfort.
• Wash technical and high-visibility garments according to the manufacturer's instructions to avoid reducing their properties.

Restrictions on use

• Do not use the equipment for risks other than those indicated by the manufacturer or in conditions for which it is not designed.
• Filtering facepiece respirators are not suitable in oxygen-deficient atmospheres or where contaminants are unknown or highly concentrated.
• Do not use the item if it is dirty, wet, damaged, expired or if you cannot adjust it correctly.
• Avoid sharing personal-use items (respirators, earplugs or in-ear protectors, gloves) without proper cleaning and disinfection.
• Keep the equipment out of reach of children and pets; it is not a toy.
• Avoid loose cords, jewellery or loose clothing that may get caught in moving machinery.
• For work with electrical, chemical, thermal or height hazards, use only equipment specifically intended for that type of risk.
• If you experience breathing difficulty, severe dizziness, severe irritation or very limited vision, stop the activity and remove the equipment in a safe area.