Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be a priority for all Melbourne factory owners. However, the enormous cost associated with OH&S can scare business owners from providing their workers with adequate protection. The The introduction of PPE vending machines into industrial and manufacturing sectors has been revolutionary, saving on costs, better managing inventory and looking after the welfare of employees.
So what exactly is a PPE vending machine? Personal Protection Equipment has been introduced into a range of custom-made vending machines to be dispensed in the workplace. These so called ‘safety machines’ incorporate card readers that allow user data to be collected, making this an extremely cost-effective inventory control system for companies. Through wireless inventory control system technology, data can be collected and collated in real time. As a complete vending solution, data from all the card readers, both on machines and inventory lockers, can be collated and monitored. This allows the business owner or analyst to move to demand-based ordering, get a better understanding of costs, reduce obsolete inventory, access real-time stock counts and identify items held by each user in the system.
As an employer, you must ensure that the PPE provided is suitable to the nature of the work and any associated hazards. It must also be comfortable and suitable in size and fit for the worker who is to use or wear it. Furthermore, it must be maintained, repaired or replaced to ensure it is in good working order. Lastly, it must be clean and hygienic and used by the worker so far as is reasonably practicable.
The PPE machine's panel interface works the same as a standard vending machine, with all products clearly labelled on shelves. The merchandise ordered by the client can be packaged in any way to suit their needs. The types of products chosen by clients for their vending machines include, gloves, safety glasses, dust masks, ear bands or muffs and sweat bands.
Why use a PPE Vending Machine?
There are two main reasons why PPE vending machines are so popular. The first is that by monitoring safety equipment, which could cost a company thousands of dollars per year, a proper inventory management system and effective OH&S compliance exists on the shop floor.
The benefits to such a scheme are considered to include the following:
Control who has access to PPE vending machines
Monitor usage by employees and contractors for increased accountability
Restrict access to certain items for those who won't need them
Identify departments/users with high usage rates
Reduce the cost of counting, storage, disposal and handling of safety equipment
Reassign crib attendants to more productive work
Locate machines in convenient spots to save time spent travelling and waiting to get equipment, creating more productive work environments
Despite the virtues of incorporating PPE into the workplace, it should only be used where there are already implemented practical higher order control measures available. What’s more, PPE must never be used as an interim measure until a more effective way of controlling possible risks can be used. Finally PPE must not supplement higher-level control measures, which in other words means as a backup.
If you like the sound of PPE vending machines, give Benleigh Vending Systems a call at their Melbourne office. You can contact them on 1300 629 153 or visit their website http://benleighvending.com.au/.