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Are back-belts considered personal protective equipment (PPE)?

April 26, 2017back-belts equipment PPE Protective

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Are back-belts considered personal protective equipment (PPE)?

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OH&S Regulations state that PPE may only be used as a substitute for engineering or administrative controls if it is used in circumstances in which those controls are not practicable (Reg 4.50 (2)). Furthermore, if the use of PPE creates hazards equal to or greater than those its use is intended to prevent, alternative personal protective equipment must be used or other appropriate measures must be taken (Reg 8.3 (2)). The current standpoint from WorkSafeBC with back-belt use throughout Canada does not consider back-belts to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). WorkSafeBC does not support, require, or prohibit the use of back-belts for injury reduction. The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) confirms the views of WorkSafeBC in that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence that wearing back-belts protects workers from the risk of job related back injury. Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Regulations through WorkSafeBC also provides general requir