personal protection equipment
DESCRIPTION
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENTTRANSCRIPT
Personal Protective EquipmentDefinition: Devices used to protect an
employees from injury or illness resulting from contact with chemical , radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards (OSHA)
The need for PPE and the type of PPE used is based on hazard present; each situation must be evaluated independently
PPE is used as a last resortThe use of PPE signifies that the hazard could
not be controlled by other methods, such as:administrative controls (i.e., shift rotation)engineering or industrial hygiene controls
Engineering & IH ControlsDesign (remove hazard from process)Substitution (of less hazardous materials)Process modification (how and where)Isolate the process or the workerWet methods for dust reductionLocal exhaust ventilation (at source)Dilution ventilation (area)Good housekeeping
The use of PPE signals that the hazard still exists in the workplace
Unprotected individuals in the same area will be exposed
Failure of PPE means that the worker will be exposed
PPE can be combined with other controls
PPEHead protectionEye and Face protectionHearing protectionRespiratory protectionArm and Hand protectionFoot and Leg protectionProtective clothing
Eye ProtectionCommon Uses:
Impact ProtectionChemical HazardsRadiation Protection
welder’s goggles laser goggles UV Infrared
Eye Protection - SelectionVisitor specs are only appropriate for non-
employees with no true exposure to hazardsSafety glasses are used to protect the eyes
from flying objects (no face protection)Chemical splash goggles protect against
fluids by sealing tightly against the faceFace shields provide highest level of
protection
Hearing Protection BasicsNoise induced hearing loss can occur with
exposures >90 dBAA hearing conservation program becomes a
requirement at exposures >85dBAHigher levels of noise exposure have shorter
allowable exposure times
Hearing ProtectionRule of Thumb - if you cannot carry on a
conversation in a normal tone of voice with someone at arm’s length, you are likely near 90dBA
All hearing protection devices should have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) = # of decibels they will reduce noise levels
Be conservative when using NRRs
A couple examplesExample 1
Ear plugs with NRR of 25 dBAexposure = 105 dBA105 minus 25 = 80 dB therefore okay
Example 2same plugsexposure = 125 dBA125 minus 25 = 100 dB not acceptable; must
be below 90 dB
Hearing Protection - TypesEar Plugs - less expensive, disposable, good
ones have fairly high NRRs - sometimes difficult to tell if employees are wearing them
Ear Muffs - more expensive, more durable, typically higher NRRs than plugs, more obvious
Can be used together in very high noise areas
Gloves - Typical UsesChemical protectionBiohazard protectionAbrasion protectionFriction protectionProtection from extremes of heat and cold
Gloves - more caveatsNo glove is good against all hazards; consult
laboratory safety link on EHS web page for glove selection chart
Gloves have a finite lifespan and must be periodically replaced
When donning gloves, examine them for signs of tears, cracks, holes and dry rot
Hands should always be washed after removing gloves
Protective FootwearSteel-toed footwear, preferably with
metatarsal guards, is used to protect feet from crushing injuries caused by heavy objects
Rubber boots are often used to protect feet from exposure to liquids
Chaps or leggings are used in certain applications (i.e., using a chainsaw)
Other Protective ClothingUsed to protect street clothes from hazards
in the workplaceOften hazard specificTo be considered effective, protective
clothing must prevent the contaminant from reaching the clothing or skin of the wearer!
Respiratory ProtectionProtects users by removing harmful materials
that may enter the body via the lungsInhalation is one of the quickest, most
efficient ways to introduce lethal levels of hazardous materials into the body
Respirators - typesAir Purifying Respirators (APR)
Half-faceFull Face
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
RespiratorsDoes not include:
surgical masksdust masks
N-95 respirators are a special class of respiratory protection primarily used in the health care field
Respirators - A Big Caveat!!!Employees should not wear a respirator
unless they have been medically cleared to do so!
This clearance may take the form of a questionnaire, physical examination, pulmonary function testing, chest X-Ray, or a combination of the above
Why?Respirators put additional resistance against
the respiratory system of the wearerPersons with undiagnosed respiratory system
or cardiovascular problems could trigger a serious medical problem (respiratory distress, asthma, heart attack, etc.) by using a respirator
Facial hair…The respirator cannot form a tight seal
against the cheeks and chin, resulting in air leaks which can allow airborne contaminants to be inhaled
Specially designed PAPR hoods can be used for employees with facial hair
small amounts of facial hair that fit inside of the respirator facepiece are acceptable
PPE Acquisition & Replacement
• PPE is provided by Supervisor• If performing activity and you do not have
PPE, contact Supervisor for PPE prior to starting activity
• Employee may be responsible for lost or damaged PPE
• State Equipment Use Policy
EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Employees must use PPE in accordance with training and instructions
• Most job activities require the use of PPE• PPE use is a requirement of the job• If the employee cannot use the PPE then
alternative PPE must be selected, the job must be modified to eliminate the hazard requiring PPE or the employee must change jobs
EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Employee cannot sign waiver and accept risk of injury
• Would not remove liability• Unethical to knowingly place an employee
in an unprotected hazardous situation• PPE is provided to protect employee and is
not intended as an inconvenience
EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES
• The employer SHALL ensure that employees are provided and use appropriate personal protective equipment when they are exposed to hazards requiring their use
• Use of PPE has been incorporated into employee work plans and will be enforced as any other key responsibility/dimension including disciplinary action and may affect workers’ compensation eligibility
BHS 3013-2/S 42 JULY 2012
Section 24 - Duties of employees
To take reasonable care for the safety and health of himself and of other persons…
To co-operate with his employer…
To wear or use at all times any protective equipment or clothing…
To comply with any instruction or measure on occupational safety and health…
Penalty: fine < RM1000 or prison < 3 months or both.
BHS 3013-2/S 43 JULY 2012
Section 26No employer shall levy any employee any charge of anything done…
RecapPPE is hazard specific; the hazards of each
workplace and task must be evaluatedPPE is used as a last resort when the hazard
cannot be controlled by other methodsSupervisors are responsible to ensure it is
available and worn; Employees must wear and maintain their PPE
RecapPPE is only considered effective if it prevents
the contaminant from reaching the wearerRespirators should not be worn by employees
unless they have been medically cleared to do so
Emergency Washing EquipmentWhere emergency washing facilities are needed, they must be readily available andaccessible as follows:
Free from obstructions or obstacles
Can be reached in 10 seconds or less
Function properly
Note: The travel distance to the eyewash or shower should be no more than 50 ft.
Emergency EyewashesRequired where there is the potential
for an employee’s eyes to be exposed to corrosives, strong irritants, or toxic chemicals.
Eyewash must irrigate and flush botheyes simultaneously and allow the user to hold the eyes open with both hands.
On-off valve must be activated in one second and remain open.
Must deliver at least 0.4 gallons per minute for 15 minutes.
Emergency Showers
• Required if there is a potential for substantial portions of the body to come into contact with corrosives, strong irritants, or toxic chemicals.
• Must provide 20 gallons per minute for at least 15 minutes.
• A bathroom shower does not meet these water flow requirements.
Emergency washing equipment is rarely used since emergencies by definition are rare events.
On the rare occasion it is needed, a worker’s eyesight can be saved.
The employee with corrosive liquid splashed in the eye will often need help in finding the eyewash and in keeping his eyes open for 15 minutes.
A short training for all at-risk workers should be done – where equipment is located and how to use it.