What Is PPE? The Legal Framework
PPE = personal protective equipment. It is supplied by the employer and used by the operator. In Türkiye the legal basis is Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 + the PPE Regulation (29/11/2006).
- Employer responsibility — supplying the PPE + supervising its use + renewing it
- Operator responsibility — use + care + reporting
- The European standard — EN certified PPE should be preferred (CE labelled)
- Certificate category — Category I (simple), II (intermediate), III (complex, lethal risk)
- Annual inspection — the condition of the PPE + renewal + training
1. Respiratory Protection — The Most Critical
The fine particles released in CNC marble cutting, by waterjet garnet and in sandblasting lead to silicosis. There is no treatment for silicosis and it is irreversible.
| Mask Class | Efficiency | Suitable Work | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 (FFP1) | 80% | Light work, dry dust | EN 149 |
| P2 (FFP2) | 94% | Medium dust, dry marble | EN 149 |
| P3 (FFP3) | 99% | Silicosis risk, engineered stone | EN 149 |
| Half mask + filter | P3 + sustainable | Long periods of use | EN 140 |
| Full face + filter | P3 + eye protection | Heavy dust, sandblasting | EN 136 |
| Air-fed hood | The highest | Enclosed cabinet sandblasting | EN 12941 |
CRITICAL
For sandblasting with silica sand, a full face P3 mask + an air-fed hood is essential. Sandblasting with silica sand in the open air is prohibited in Türkiye. The detail is in the /en/academy/what-is-pressure-sandblasting article.
2. Eye Protection
- Standard safety glasses — EN 166 class, with side protection essential
- Where the risk of flying particles is high — an additional face shield
- Around the waterjet — there is a UHP pressure risk, so a closed face protector
- CNC bridge saw cutting — glasses closed at the sides are enough (an enclosed cabinet is standard)
- Polishing + buffing — 1 mm impact resistant for sparks/particles
- Laser calibration — special laser glasses (the service team)
- Worn / scratched glasses → replace them (they distort vision)
3. Hearing Protection
Workshop noise above 85 dB causes long-term hearing loss. CNC bridge saw cutting is 90-95 dB, the waterjet pump 95-100 dB and sandblasting 100-110 dB.
- Below 85 dB — protection is recommended but not mandatory
- 85-95 dB — ear plugs (foam, EN 352-2)
- 95-105 dB — ear defenders (cup type, EN 352-1)
- 105+ dB — double protection (plugs + defenders)
- On sandblasting and the UHP pump, double protection is generally essential
- Manually replaceable plugs — for daily use
- Active noise cancelling (ANC) defenders — the premium choice
4. Hand & Arm Protection
- General work gloves — leather, cut resistant (EN 388 class)
- Work with chemical exposure — nitrile/butyl (for oil and coolant)
- Glass/sharp edges — cut resistant gloves (Cut Level 4-5)
- Sandblasting — thick leather gloves + a long cuff (it protects against rebound)
- Near a spindle / rotating tool — not even CLOSE-FITTING gloves but BARE hands (the risk of a glove being caught)
- Outdoor work in the cold — insulated gloves
A Dangerous Exception
NO GLOVES are worn near a CNC table + a rotating spindle or blade — a loose glove is the most dangerous of all, and if a glove is caught by a rotating part the arm can be torn off. Take your gloves off when working with an exposed tool.
5. Body & Foot Protection
- Work overalls — long sleeved, protective fabric (EN 14605 liquid-tight), not loose
- Shirt + trousers — with flame retardant properties (EN 14116) — for sparks/hot surfaces
- Around the waterjet — an apron with UHP pressure protection (thick leather or Kevlar)
- Steel toe-capped boots (EN ISO 20345 class S3) — the minimum standard
- A non-slip sole — the workshop is wet all the time
- An oil resistant sole — in contact with coolant + oil
- Upper wrist and elbow protection — for flying particles in sandblasting
6. Head Protection
- An industrial safety helmet — if there is a high risk of objects falling in the workshop (crane, store)
- The EN 397 standard — the minimum impact resistance
- Sandblasting — a full face + hinged hood system
- Polishing machine — a fire resistant cap for sparks
- A name label + emergency contact card on it (in large facilities)
PPE Care & Renewal Schedule
| PPE | Care | Replacement Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Dust mask (FFP) | Single use | A new one every shift |
| Half/full face mask | Cleaning at the end of the shift | Filter 1-3 months, mask body 2 years |
| Safety glasses | Wiping daily with a cloth | Replace when scratched |
| Ear defenders | General cleaning monthly | 6-12 months |
| Gloves (leather) | Weekly check | Replace when torn |
| Work overalls | Weekly wash | 6-12 months |
| Steel toe-capped boots | Monthly cleaning inside | 12-24 months |
| Safety helmet | Annual crack check | 5 years |
Operator Training & Practice
- PPE training before starting work — a legal requirement
- A PPE check at the start of the shift — if anything is missing or worn out, it is supplied
- Supervision of PPE use — the OHS specialist + the shift supervisor
- A workplace accident caused by not wearing PPE — the operator may fall outside insurance cover
- Annual PPE awareness training — changing legislation + new equipment
- A warning + repeat training for an operator who insists on not wearing PPE
Operator Responsibilities (in summary)
- Check your own PPE at the start of the shift — report anything missing to your supervisor
- Do not take your PPE off while working — there is a risk even during a short break
- Request a replacement when PPE wears out or is damaged
- Keep the equipment clean — do not share it (PPE is personal)
- Have your annual health check — early detection of silicosis is critical
- Report any work-related health problem immediately