PPE Lifespan Calculator

The lifespan of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important to ensure the safety of workers. Indeed, PPE at the end of its life may no longer properly fulfill its protective function, thus endangering the health of users. It is therefore important to know the lifespan of PPE to plan its maintenance, replacement, or disposal.

PPE Lifespan Calculator

To help you calculate the lifespan of PPE, we provide you with an online calculator. This calculator allows you to determine the lifespan of PPE based on its manufacturing date, commissioning date, and validity period. You just need to enter this information in the designated fields, and the calculator will give you the expiration date of the PPE.

How to Enter Calculator Parameters

You need to provide the following information to calculate the lifespan of PPE:

• Manufacturing Date of the PPE: This is the date when the PPE was manufactured. It is indicated on the equipment label.
• Validity Period of the PPE: This is the period during which the PPE is considered safe and effective from the manufacturing date. It is indicated by the manufacturer. It can be expressed in years, months, or usage cycles. It can be infinite for some PPE, in which case you should leave the field empty.
• Commissioning Date of the PPE: This is the date when the PPE was used for the first time. It may be different from the purchase date of the PPE.
• Service Duration of the PPE: This is the period during which the PPE has been used. It can be expressed in years, months, or usage cycles. This duration can be specified by the manufacturer or determined by the user based on the usage and environment of the PPE.
• Usage and Environment of the PPE: The lifespan of PPE can be influenced by usage conditions (temperature, humidity, exposure to chemicals, etc.) and usage intensity. According to these criteria, the lifespan of the PPE can be drastically shortened. For example, a safety harness used by a facade painter will be exposed to humidity and paint products. It will have a shorter lifespan than a harness used indoors. Another example, a rope used daily for high-altitude work will have a shorter lifespan. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations and the applicable standards depending on the PPE.

What to Do When PPE Reaches the End of Its Life?

When the lifespan of PPE is reached, the equipment should be disposed of. It is important not to use PPE at the end of its life, as it no longer guarantees user protection. It is also important not to repair PPE at the end of its life, as this may compromise its safety. It is recommended to replace the PPE with new equipment and ensure that it complies with current standards.

How to Be Alerted When PPE Reaches the End of Its Life?

To avoid using PPE at the end of its life, it is recommended to set up an alert system to track the lifespan of the equipment. This system can be manual (for example, tracking on an Excel sheet ) or automated (for example, PPE management software ). It is important to regularly check the lifespan of PPE to ensure user safety.