A Brief Analysis of the Useful Life of Special Protective Equipment and the Principle of Discarding

China Labor Safety Net News. The lifespan of labor protection equipment depends on various factors, including the working environment, frequency of use, and the type of protective gear. Some regions have established strict regulations based on local conditions. For example, in Shandong Province, specific usage periods for helmets in factories and mines are defined: 36 months for metallurgical rolling mill slab operations, 48 hours for cold water operations, 24 months for coal and civil engineering tasks, and 12 months for geological survey workers such as installers, drillers, and samplers. The service life of protective equipment varies by region due to differences in operational demands.

First, the service life of common special protective equipment:

1. Seat Belts: After two years of use, seat belts should be tested in batches. If they pass, they can continue to be used. However, any tested belt must replace its safety rope before reuse. Frequent users should regularly inspect the appearance, and if any damage is found, the belt should be replaced immediately. Seat belts typically last between 3 to 5 years.

2. Anti-static Shoes and Overalls: According to GB12014, anti-static overalls must be worn with anti-static shoes specified in GB4385. Due to frequent washing, the anti-static performance may degrade. Therefore, in high-temperature or high-intensity environments, companies should set shorter usage periods. During wearing, anti-static shoes should not be tested for more than 200 hours. If they fail, they should not be used.

3. Insulating Shoes and Gloves: Insulating shoes include leather, rubber, and plastic types. Each company should determine the usage period based on work intensity and environment. Important points to note: storage for more than 18 months requires electrical performance testing. If the soles are damaged, the shoes cannot be used. At least one electrical test should be conducted every six months during use. If it fails, the item should be discarded. Insulating gloves should be checked before each use with a breath test and tested at least every six months. Any不合格 items must be replaced.

4. Hearing Protection Equipment: This includes earplugs, earmuffs, and noise-reducing helmets. Noise-reducing helmets offer the best protection, blocking both air-conducted and bone-conducted noise. In extremely noisy areas, earmuffs are recommended, while earplugs provide the least protection. Their sound attenuation in the 1000-2000Hz range is only about 10-20dB.

Second, the principles for scrapping special protective equipment: Generally, three key factors should be considered: 1) Degree of corrosion—operations can be categorized as heavy, moderate, or light corrosion, reflecting the environment and nature of the work. 2) Loss of function—depending on how much protection is reduced, items may be vulnerable, moderately damaged, or require mandatory replacement. 3) Durability—based on the usage cycle, equipment can be classified as durable, medium, or short-lived. Durability reflects the material quality and overall reliability of the protective gear.

Third, several common misunderstandings about personal protective equipment (PPE):

Misunderstanding 1: PPE is optional. Experts emphasize that PPE helps reduce occupational hazards. Under the "Occupational Disease Prevention Law," employers must provide suitable PPE, and employees are required to wear it.

Misunderstanding 2: No smell means no danger. Many harmful gases are odorless, tasteless, and colorless, making them undetectable by senses. Relying on sensory perception can lead to poisoning.

Misunderstanding 3: Gauze masks protect against dust. Regular gauze masks are not suitable for dust protection. Even thick ones cannot effectively block harmful respiratory dust. Specialized dust masks are necessary.

Misunderstanding 4: Medical masks prevent toxic gases. They are designed to block droplets, not gases. Different respirators are needed for different toxins, such as activated carbon masks for volatile organic compounds.

Misunderstanding 5: Dust masks can be reused after washing. High-efficiency filters in these masks are made of non-woven materials and rely on electrostatic charges. Washing damages the filter structure and reduces effectiveness. PPE is a passive measure; it should be used after implementing advanced technologies and engineering controls. It is important to understand that PPE has limitations and must be chosen based on the working environment and application scope.