Deutsch
English
Suomi
France
Ungarisch
Niederländisch
Italienisch
What does PPE mean and why is it so important?
The abbreviation PPE means Personal Protective Equipment which, according to the BGHM (professional association for wood and metal), is declared as follows:
“Personal protective equipment within the meaning of the PPE Usage Ordinance (PSA-BV) is any equipment that is intended to be used or worn by employees in order to protect themselves against a risk to their safety and health, as well as any additional equipment used for the same purpose and which is associated with personal protective equipment.”
To carry out risk assessment, the STOP principle is to be applied for every workplace or activity. To reduce existing hazards using the STOP principle, you must first consider how the exposure to risk can be reduced through Substitution (e.g. Use of other work processes and materials), through Technical solutions (e.g. structural separation, suction), Organizational measures (e.g. time limitation, training), Only then should the residual risks through the use of PPE be further minimized.”
Protective clothing for forest and forestry work
The so-called cut protective clothing (also called personal protective equipment or protecprotective cloththing) is indispensable for industrial safety in wood processing.
Below, we will explain the most important features for the individual areas so that you can make the right choice that suits best your needs.
Cut protection trousers
The cut protection trousers are the best known protective clothing and at the same time are the most important protective clothing with cut protection. Equipped with awide range of protection classesand available in different cuts, these trousers enable optimal protection during forestry work.
As multifunctional workwear, In addition to the legally prescribed DIN EN classifications (EN 381-5) and protection classes, cut protection trousers also have additional features. In addition to the use of warning colours, trousers with a cut protection function are characterized by their robust workmanship and, in most cases, have water-repellent properties and numerous pockets and attachment options that can be advantageous for work in the forest.
Legal requirements and safety criteria for cut protection trousers
All cut protection trousers available in our online shop meet the requirements of DIN EN 381, regardless of manufacturer and type of model. In addition, the corresponding cut protection classes are clearly marked. Legally prescribed features are:
>> EN 381-5
>> The declared cut protection class.
In addition, cut protection trousers are marked with additional test seals and quality awards. The best-known test marks and quality seals include:
The CE mark
A Europe-wide certificate that the product has passed its type test and thus meets all legal safety standards.
The FPA test mark of the KWF
A seal of quality which is awarded by the Supervisory Authority for Forest Work and Forestry Technology (KWF) and proves that the usability of the product has been checked and found to be suitable for the corresponding use.
In addition to the legal requirements that high-quality protection trousers for forest work must meet, there are also a number of features that can speak for a product individually or in combination with one another. The processed material and the quality contribute significantly to ensuring that you can enjoy your product for a long time. Cut protection trousers should always be water-repellent, breathable, retain heat and at the same time be easy to clean and maintain. In order to meet the daily demands during the work in the forest, the trousers must provide comfort and freedom of movement.
High-quality protective trousers meet the following criteria
>> high quality of the material and its processing
>> high wearing comfort in combination with freedom of movement
>> water-repellent, breathable and heat-regulating texture
For maximum safety, the colour schemes of cut protection trousers must ensure that they are quickly recognizable, ideally, through the introduction of reflective warning strips to ensure maximum visibility.
Cut protection jackets and forestry worker jackets
For maximum safety, the jacket that is worn during forestry work must be tailored to the requirements. For “normal” forestry work, forestry workers’ jackets meet all the required criteria for safe and accident-free work. In addition to the criteria for protective trousers, these products are also tested for their use and marked as suitable for the specific application with the corresponding KWF certification marks. Although less frequently used than forestry workers’ jackets, jackets with cut protection are playing an increasingly important role when working in the forest.
Legally prescribed features are:
>> EN 381-11
>> The declared cut protection class
High-quality workmanship and equipped with important cut protection features, these jackets enable optimal protection from the hips upwards. Identical to the features of cut protection trousers, cut protection jackets meet all the requirements of modern work clothing, which are expressed in maximum protection and high wearing comfort.
Cut protection shoes
In addition to trousers and jackets with cut protection features, shoes also play an important role in ensuring your safely with maximum protection during work. In our online shop, you can find a variety of shoes that cover all the requirements and properties of modern work shoes. >>Here<< we have put together for you what is important when it comes to cut protection shoes and forest shoes.
Cut protection gloves
Use cut protection gloves to ensure maximum protection when working with a chainsaw. A distinction is made between two different types. Design A and Design B and beyond, you can choose whether both or only the left glove has the appropriate properties. We have summarized that for you here: https://www.ratioparts.de/lp-schnittschutzklassen/ Legally prescribed features are:
>> EN 381-7
>> The declared cut protection class
Safety helmets
Helmets for forestry workers are also often sold under the terms forest helmet, forestry work helmet, forest helmet combination or other names. Regardless of their name, they play an important role in your personal protective equipment and must meet the requirements of the DIN EN 397 standard. This regulates the protection against mechanical impacts on the head, the protection against lateral deformation of the helmet, the flame resistance, as well as the chin strap fastening.
As with all products in your personal protective equipment, in addition to the test marks such as the KWF marking, wearing comfort plays a key role. You can find the right products in our online shop, regardless of whether you are a hobby or professional user. In addition, we can provide you with the corresponding spare parts and accessories, such as communication modules or safety glasses that can be integrated into the helmet.
Legally prescribed features are:
>> EN 397
In addition to the safety helmets that meet the EN 397 standard, we also offer products that also meet the EN12492 standard and can therefore also be used for climbing, such as pruning trees. You can find an explanation of the functionality here, for example: https://www.ratioparts.de/vorstellung-protos/
