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SECTION
B4: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Introduction
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all types of equipment
used to increase individual safety while performing potentially hazardous
tasks. This may include safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, lab coats,
respirators, or any equipment used to protect against injury or illness.
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Scope and Application
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) requires PPE to be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary
and reliable condition wherever hazards of processes or environment, chemical
hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants are encountered
in a manner capable of causing injury or illness through absorption, inhalation,
or physical contact. Departments are responsible for ensuring the adequacy
of the equipment and ensuring that it is properly maintained, even in
those cases where employees provide their own PPE.
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Program Description
Engineering controls that eliminate the hazard at the source and do
not rely on the worker’s behavior for their effectiveness offer the
best and most reliable means of protection. Therefore, engineering
controls
are the first choice for eliminating workplace hazards. Whenever engineering
controls are not available or are not fully capable of providing
protection,
the worker must wear personal protective equipment.
Hazard Assessment and Equipment Selection
Departments must assess their workplaces to identify hazards requiring
the use of PPE. Equipment should be selected to provide protection
against the hazards identified during the assessment. The hazard
assessment must be certified in writing. Departments can use the Hazard Assessment worksheet to conduct an assessment of workplace hazards. Once submitted, the Office of Environmental Health
and Safety (EHS) can assist with completing the certification.
Eye and Face Protection
Appropriate eye and face protection, such as safety glasses, goggles,
and face shields, must be used to protect against the hazards associated
with flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids and
caustic liquids, chemical gases and vapors, or potentially injurious
light
radiation.
Head Protection
A protective helmet (hard hat) must be worn when working in areas
where there is the potential for injury from falling objects or
exposed
energized electrical conductors that could contact the head.
Foot Protection
Protective footwear must be worn in areas where there is the potential
for foot injuries from falling or rolling objects, from objects
piercing
the sole, or from exposed energized electrical conductors that could
contact the feet.
Hand Protection
Hand protection must be worn to protect against hazards of skin
absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe
abrasions,
punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, or harmful temperature
extremes.
Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection may be used to protect against inhalation
hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible
or adequate. See Section
C4, Respiratory Protection, for additional information.
Training
Each worker required to use PPE must receive training in the following:
- how to properly wear PPE
- what types of PPE provide protection against the hazards identified
during the assessment
- when PPE must be used · the proper care and useful life
of PPE
- proper disposal of damaged PPE
The department must certify in writing that workers have received
and understood this training. Training
assistance is available through EHS.
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Roles and Responsibilities
Department
- Conduct workplace hazard assessment using the Hazard Assessment worksheet.
- Select PPE appropriate to the hazard identified during the assessment.
- Provide PPE to workers.
- Train workers in elements of PPE use.
- Maintain certifications of hazard assessment and training.
Supervisors
- Ensure workers understand training on PPE.
- Ensure workers use PPE when needed.
EHS
- Provide assistance in conducting a workplace hazard assessment.
- Provide assistance in PPE selection.
- Provide assistance in developing worker training.
- Conduct periodic audits of PPE program.
Individual
- Attend training.
- Use PPE when necessary.
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For More Information
Contact an EHS Safety
Engineer at 258-5294.
Sample forms for the completion and certification of the hazard assessment
and training are available through EHS.
A Personal Protective Equipment Self-Audit Checklist is available
through EHS or may be downloaded either as a PDF
or a customizable Word document.
A copy of OSHA’s regulation, Personal
Protective Equipment, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, is available through
EHS.
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