Personal Protective Equipment

These notes will help you to

Examine your workplace,
Review the work procedures you require your employees to follow,
Select appropriate PPE (except for respirators and insulating ruer equipment! to
protect your employees, and Teach your employees how to wear and care for the PPE
you provide"
These notes will help you comply with #S$%&s general PPE requirements" This standard requires
employers to estalish general procedures, called a PPE program, to give employees necessary
protective equipment and to train them to use it properly" Respirators and insulating devices are
not included in this guide ecause #S$% requires employers to develop separate programs
specifically addressing the issues associated with those types of protective" %lthough not
specifically directed to construction and maritime industry, the information, methods, and
procedures in this guide are also applicale to, and will help you comply with, #S$%&s general
PPE requirements for the construction industry"
What is personal protective equipment?
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, includes a variety of devices and garments to protect
workers from in'uries" (ou can find PPE designed to protect
Eyes,
)ace,
$ead,
Ears,
)eet,
$ands and arms, and
*hole ody"
PPE includes such items as
+oggles,
)ace shields,
Safety glasses,
$ard hats,
Safety shoes,
+loves,
,ests,
Earplugs, and
Earmuffs"
Respirators and ruer insulating equipment (gloves, sleeves, lankets! are also considered
PPE, ut ecause #S$% has specific requirements for those kinds of PPE, this general guide
does not address such equipment"
The Need For PPE
Who must provide PPE?
(ou must provide PPE for your employees if
Their work environment presents a ha-ard or is likely to present a ha-ard to any part of
their odies.
Their work processes present a ha-ard or are likely to present a ha-ard to any part of
their odies.
/uring their work, they might come into contact with ha-ardous chemicals, radiation, or
mechanical irritants.
%0/ you are unale to eliminate their exposure or potential exposure to the ha-ard y
engineering, work practice, or administrative controls"
Eye and Face Protection
When must I provide eye protection for employees?
(ou must provide eye protection for employees whenever they are exposed to potential eye
in'uries during their work if work practice or engineering controls do not eliminate the risk of in'ury"
Some of the things that might cause eye in'uries include the following1
/ust and other flying particles, such as metal shavings or wool fiers"
2olten metal that might splash"
%cids and other caustic liquid chemicals that might splash"
3lood and other potentially infectious ody fluids that might splash, spray, or splatter"
4ntense light such as that created y welding arcs and lasers"
How do I select the proper protective eyewear for employees?
3egin with the following criteria1
Eye protection must protect against the specific ha-ard(s! encountered in the workplace"
4t must e reasonaly comfortale to wear"
Eye protection must not restrict vision or movement"
Eye protection must e durale and easy to clean and disinfect"
Eye protection must not interfere with the function of other required PPE"
4n addition, the %merican 0ational Standards 4nstitute, 4nc" (%0S4! has issued standard
requirements for the design, construction, testing, and use of protective devices for eyes and
face"
#S$% requires that all protective eyewear you purchase for your employees meet the
requirements of %0S4 567"898:6: for devices purchased after ;uly <, 8::=, and %0S4 567"898:>6
for devices purchased efore that date"
If employees wear eyeglasses with prescription lenses may I consider these eye
protection?
0o" Eyeglasses designed for ordinary wear do not provide the level of protection necessary to
protect against workplace ha-ards" Special care must e taken when choosing eye protectors for
employees who wear eyeglasses with corrective lenses such as the following1
Prescription spectacles, with side shields and protective lenses meeting the requirements
of %0S4 567"8, that also correct the individual employee&s vision"
+oggles that can fit comfortaly over corrective eyeglasses without disturing the
alignment of the eyeglasses"
+oggles that incorporate corrective lenses mounted ehind protective lenses"
(ou also must provide protective eyewear to employees who wear contact lenses and are
exposed to potential eye in'ury" Eye protection provided to these employees may also incorporate
corrective eyeglasses" Thus, if an employee must don eyeglasses in the event of contact lens
failure or loss, he or she will still e ale to use the same protective eyewear"
What !ind of eye and face protectors are there? What are they for?
"afety spectacles# These protective eyeglasses are made with safety frames
constructed of metal and?or plastic and are fitted with either corrective or plano impact9
resistant lenses" They come with and without side shields, ut most workplace operations
will require side shields"
Impact$resistant spectacles# This eyewear can e used for moderate impact from
particles produced y such 'os as carpentry, woodworking, grinding, and scaling"
"ide shields" These protect against particles that might enter the eyes from the side"
Side shields are made of wire mesh or plastic" Eye9cup type side shields provide the est
protection"
%oggles# (ou may choose from many different types of goggles, each designed for
specific ha-ards" +enerally, goggles protect eyes, eye sockets, and the facial area
immediately surrounding the eyes from impact, dust, and splashes" Some goggles fit over
corrective lenses"
Welding shields# @onstructed of vulcani-ed fier or fierglass and fitted with a filtered
lens, these protective devices are designed for the specific ha-ards associated with
welding" *elding shields protect your employees& eyes from urns caused y infrared or
intense radiant light, and they protect face and eyes from flying sparks, metal spatter, and
slag chips produced during welding, ra-ing, soldering, and cutting"
&aser safety goggles" Aaser safety goggles provide a range of protection against the
intense concentrations of light produced y lasers" The type of laser safety goggles you
choose will depend upon the equipment and operating conditions in your workplace"
Face shields" These transparent sheets of plastic extend from the row to elow the chin
across the entire width of the employee&s head" Some are polari-ed for glare protection"
@hoose face shields to protect your employees& faces from nuisance dusts and potential
splashes or sprays of ha-ardous liquids"
'an face shields protect employees instead of goggles or protective spectacles?
)ace shields do not protect employees from impact ha-ards" (ou may use however, face shields
in comination with goggles or safety spectacles, to protect against impact ha-ards, even in the
asence of dust or potential splashes, for additional protection eyond that offered y goggles or
spectacles alone"
How do I choose the correct eye protection from among all the different types?
Each kind of protective eyewear is designed to protect against specific ha-ards" 3y completing
the ha-ard assessment of your workplace outlined in the previous section, you will identify the
specific workplace ha-ards that pose a threat to your employees& eyes and faces" Tales 8
through B and )igure 8 will help you find the protective devices most suited for your employees
and your workplace" Aocate the operations and ha-ards most similar to those in your workplace in
Tale 8 and match the numer to the corresponding drawing in )igure 8" *elding and laser
operations require lenses to e tinted to a degree sufficient to protect against the specific intensity
of light present during that tasks your employees perform (see Tales C and B!"
How dar! do lenses on welding helmets and goggles need to (e?
The intensity of light or radiant energy produced y welding, cutting, or ra-ing operations varies
according to a numer of factors including the task producing the light, the electrode si-e, and the
arc current" Tale C shows the minimum protective shade for a variety of welding, cutting, and
ra-ing operations" To protect employees who are exposed to intense radiant energy, egin y
selecting a shade too dark to see the welding -one" Then try lighter shades until you find one that
allows a sufficient view of the welding -one without going elow the minimum protective shade"
How do I protect employees from e)posure to laser (eams?
(ou must provide safety goggles specifically designed to protect the employees& eyes from the
specific intensity of light produced y the laser" The level of protection will vary according the level
of radiation emitted y the laser" 4f your employees are exposed to laser eams, you must
determine the maximum power density, or intensity, that the lasers can produce" 3ased on this
knowledge, you must select lenses that will protect against this maximum intensity" Tale B shows
the minimum optical density of lenses required for various laser intensities" Employers with lasers
emitting radiation etween two measures of power density (or light locking capaility! must
provide lenses that offer protection against the higher of the two intensities"
How can I (e sure that laser safety goggles provide enough protection?
Every pair of safety goggles intended for use with laser eams must ear a lael with the
following information1
The laser wavelengths for which they are intended to e used"
The optical density of those wavelengths"
The visile light transmission"
*nce I have selected the appropriate eye protection equipment how do I ma!e sure
employees use it properly?
Train your employees to use the protective eyewear" @hecklist @ will help you prepare your
employees to use and care for the eye protection you provide"
+y wor!place gets pretty dirty# How will my employees !eep their protective eyewear clean
and effective?
Train your employees how to clean the eye protectors" %llow them time at the end of their shifts to
do the following1
/isassemle goggles or spectacles,
Thoroughly clean all parts with soap and warm water,
@arefully rinse off all traces of soap, and
Replace all defective parts"
#ccasionally, you must disinfect the protective eyewear" To do so, after cleaning you can do the
following1
4mmerse and swa all parts for 8D minutes in a germicidal solution"
Remove all parts from the solution and hang in a clean place to air dry at room
temperature or with heated air"
/o not rinse the parts after sumerging them in the disinfectant" Rinsing will remove the
germicidal residue that remains after drying"
%lso use ultraviolet disinfecting and spray9type disinfecting solutions also may e used
after washing"
+y employees wor! in shifts# 'ould I provide one pair of protective eyewear for each
position instead of each employee?
(es" 4f you do this, however, you must disinfect shared protective eyewear after each use" 4f the
goggles or spectacles do not have to e individually designed to incorporate an employee&s
corrective lenses and you disinfect the eyewear etween uses y different employees, more than
one employee may use the same set of protective eyewear"
Head Protection
When do my employees need head protection?
(ou must provide head protection for your employees if1
#'ects might fall from aove and strike them on the head.
They might ump their heads against fixed o'ects, such as exposed pipes or eams. or
They work near exposed electrical conductors"
What should I loo! for in head protection?
4n general, protective helmets, or hard hats, should
Resist penetration y o'ects,
%sor the shock of a low,
3e water resistant and slow urning, and
@ome with instructions explaining proper ad'ustment and replacement of the suspension
and headand"
Hard hats require a hard outer shell and a shock-absorbing lining. The lining should
incorporate a head band and straps that suspend the shell from 1 to 1 1/4 inches (2.54 cm
to .1! cm" a#a$ from the user%s head. This design pro&ides shock absorption during
impact and &entilation during #ear.
's #ith de&ices designed to protect e$es( the design( construction( testing( and use of
protecti&e helmets must meet standards established b$ ')*+. ,rotecti&e helmets
purchased after -ul$ 5( 1..4( must compl$ #ith ')*+ /!..1-1.!0((1" #hereas( those
purchased before this date must meet the ')*+ /!..1-1.0. standard.
What types of head protection are availa(le?
$ard hats are divided into three industrial classes1
'lass ,# These helmets are for general service" They provide good impact protection ut
limited voltage protection" They are used mainly in mining, uilding construction,
shipuilding, lumering, and manufacturing"
'lass -# @hoose @lass 3 helmets if your employees are engaged in electrical work" They
protect against falling o'ects and high9voltage shock and urns"
'lass '# /esigned for comfort, these light9weight helmets offer limited protection" They
protect workers from umping against fixed o'ects ut do not protect against falling
o'ects or electric shock"
2ook at the inside of an$ protecti&e helmet $ou are considering for $our emplo$ees( and
$ou should see a label sho#ing the manufacturer%s name( the ')*+ standard it meets( and
its class. 3igure 2 sho#s the basic design of hard hats.

How do I choose the correct protective helmets from among the different types?
Each kind of protective helmet is designed to protect against specific ha-ards" 3y completing the
ha-ard assessment outlined aove, you will identify the specific workplace ha-ards that pose a
threat to your employee&s head"
I have purchased new hard hats that meet the ,N"I requirements# Have I fulfilled my
responsi(ility to protect my employees. heads?
0o" 4ssuing appropriate head protection to employees is a ma'or first step, ut you must make
sure that the hard hats continue to provide sufficient protection to your employees" /o this y
training your employees in the proper use and maintenance of hard hats including daily
inspection of them" 4f your employees identify any of the following defects, remove the hard hats
from service1
The suspension system shows signs of deterioration such as1
@racking,
Tearing, or
)raying"
The suspension system no longer holds the shell from 8 inch to 8 8?= inches (C"<=cm 9 B"86cm!
away from the employee&s head" The rim or shell is cracked, perforated, or deformed" The rim
or shell shows signs of exposure to heat, chemicals, ultraviolet light, or other radiation" Such
signs include1
Aoss of surface gloss,
@halking, or
)laking (a sign of advanced deterioration!"
'ould employees wearing hard hats and wor!ing at elevations create a potential ha/ard
for the employees wor!ing (elow?
To protect employees working elow, you must provide chin straps for the protective helmets
worn y employees working at higher elevations, whether in an aerial lift or at the edge of a pit"
The chin straps should e designed to prevent the hard hats from eing umped off the
employees& heads"
'an I require employees to cut their hair if it is long enough to get tangled in machinery?
Aong hair (longer than four inches! can e drawn into machine parts such as chains, elts,
rotating devices, suction devices, and lowers" $air may even e drawn into machines otherwise
guarded with mesh" %lthough you need not require your employees to cut their hair, you must
require them to cover and protect their hair with andanas, hair nets, turans, soft caps, or the
like" These items, however, must not themselves present a ha-ard"
*nce I have selected helmets to protect my employees. heads how do I ma!e sure they
use them properly?
Train your employees to use the hard hats" @hecklist / will help you instruct your employees to
use and care for the head protection you provide"
How do I ma!e sure that the hard hats I provide will (e !ept in good condition?
(ou must train your employees to maintain and care for the head protection" (our training
communicates the importance of wearing head protection and taking proper care of it" 4mportant
information you will want to consider when training employees on how to care for their hard hats
includes the following1
Paints, paint thinners, and some cleaning agents can weaken the shell of the hard hat
and may eliminate electrical resistance" @onsult the helmet manufacturer for information
on the effects of paint and cleaning materials on their hard hats" Eeep in mind that paint
and stickers can also hide signs of deterioration in the hard hat shell" Aimit their use"
Fltraviolet light and extreme heat, such as that generated y sunlight, can reduce the
strength of the hard hats" Therefore, employees should not store or transport hard hats
on the rear9window shelves of automoiles or otherwise in direct sunlight"
%lso, instruct employees to clean the protective helmets periodically y1
4mmersing for one minute in hot (approximately 8=D
o
), or >D
o
@! water and detergent,
Scruing, and
Rinsing in clear hot water"
Foot and &eg Protection
When must I provide foot and leg protection?
(ou must provide foot and leg protection if your workplace ha-ard assessment reveals potential
dangers to these parts of the ody" Some of the potential ha-ards you might identify include the
following1
$eavy o'ects such as arrels or tools that might roll onto or fall on employees& feet"
Sharp o'ects such as nails or spikes that might pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary
shoes"
2olten metal that might splash on feet or legs
$ot or wet surfaces"
Slippery surfaces"
What are the types of protection and where do I use them?
The type of foot and leg protection you provide your employees will depend upon the specific
workplace ha-ards you identify and the specific parts of the feet or legs exposed to potential
in'ury" Safety footwear must meet minimum compression and impact performance standards and
testing requirements estalished y %0S4" Protective footwear purchased after ;uly <, 8::=, must
meet the requirements of %0S4 5=898::8" Protective footwear ought efore that date must
comply with %0S4 5=898:>7" )oot and leg protection choices includes the following1
&eggings" Fse these to protect the lower legs and feet from heat ha-ards, like molten
metal or welding sparks" Safety snaps allow leggings to e removed quickly"
+etatarsal guards" 2ade of aluminum, steel, fier, or plastic, these guards maye
strapped to the outside of shoes to protect the instep area from impact and compression"
Toe guards# Toe guards may e made of steel, aluminum, or plastic" They fit over the
toes of regular shoes" These guards protect only the toes from impact and compression
ha-ards"
'om(ination foot and shin guards" These guards may e used in comination with toe
guards when greater protection is needed"
"afety shoes# These sturdy shoes have impact9resistant toes and heat9resistant soles
that protect against hot work surfaces common in roofing, paving, and hot metal
industries" The metal insoles of some safety shoes protect against puncture wounds"
Safety shoes may also e designed to e electrically conductive to prevent the uildup of
static electricity in areas with the potential for explosive atmospheres, or nonconductive
to protect workers from workplace electrical ha-ards"
What should I loo! for when choosing safety shoes for my employees?
+enerally, safety shoes must e sturdy and must have impact9resistant safety toes, instep
protection, and heat9resistant soles (see )igure B!" %ll safety shoes must comply with the %0S4
standard(s! mentioned aove" 4n addition, depending on the types of worker exposures, you may
need to provide specially designed safety shoes such as conductive or electrical9ha-ard safety
shoes"
'onductive "hoes1 Electrically conductive shoes protect against the uildup of static electricity"
Essentially, these shoes ground the employees wearing them" Employees working in explosive
and ha-ardous locations such as explosives manufacturing facilities or grain elevators must wear
conductive shoes to reduce the risk of static electricity uildup on an employee&s ody that could
produce a spark and cause an explosion or fire" /uring training, employees must e instructed
not to use foot powder or wear socks made of silk, wool, or nylon with conductive shoes" )oot
powder insulates and retards the conductive aility of the shoes" Silk, wool, and nylon produce
static electricity"
@onductive shoes are not general9purpose shoes and must e removed upon completion of the
tasks for which they are required" Employees exposed to electrical ha-ards must never wear
conductive shoes"
Electrical ha/ard safety$toe shoes are nonconductive and will prevent your employees& feet
from completing an electrical circuit to the ground" They can protect employees against open
circuits of up to >DD volts in dry conditions" Electrical ha-ard, safety9toe shoes should e used in
con'unction with other insulating equipment and precautions to reduce or eliminate the potential
for your employees& odies or parts of their odies to provide a path for ha-ardous electrical
energy" 0ote1 0onconductive footwear must not e used in explosive or ha-ardous locations. in
such locations, electrically conductive shoes are required"
Train your employees to recogni-e that the insulating protection of electrical ha-ard, safety9toe
shoes may e compromised if
The shoe is wet
The ruer sole is worn through
2etal particles ecome emedded in the sole or heel. or
#ther parts of the employees& odies come into contact with conductive, grounded
items"
Foundry "hoes0 4n addition to insulating your employees& feet from the extreme heat of molten
metal, foundry shoes prohiit hot metal from lodging in shoe eyelets, tongues, or other parts"
These snug9fitting leather or leather9sustitute shoes have leather or ruer soles and ruer
heels" 4n addition, all foundry shoes must have uilt9in safety toes"
*nce I have selected equipment to protect my employees. feet and legs how do I ma!e
sure they use it properly?
Train your employees to use the protective footwear" @hecklist E will help you instruct your
employees to use and care for the foot and leg protection you provide"
Hand and ,rm Protection
When must I provide hand and arm protection?
4f your workplace ha-ard assessment reveals that your employees risk in'ury to their hands and
arms, and engineering and work practice controls do not eliminate the ha-ards, you must provide
your employees with appropriate protection" The in'uries you may need to guard against in your
workplace include the following1
3urns
3ruises
%rasions
@uts
Punctures
)ractures
%mputations
@hemical exposures"
What !ind of equipment is necessary to protect the hands and arms?
)or many workplace operations, machine guards such as point9of9operation guards will e
sufficient" )or example, install a arrier that makes it impossile for employees to put their hands
at the point where a tale saw lade makes contact with the wood it cuts" )or other ha-ardous
operations, you may e ale to institute work procedures that eliminate the risk of in'ury to your
employees& hands or arms" *hen such measures fail to eliminate the ha-ard, however, protective
gloves will e the primary means of protecting employees& hands" *hen the risk of in'ury includes
the arm, protective sleeves, often attached to the gloves, may e appropriate"
Is there one !ind of glove that will protect against all wor!place ha/ards?
0o" The nature of the ha-ard(s! and the operation to e performed will determine your selection
of gloves" The variety of potential occupational hand in'uries may make selecting the appropriate
pair of gloves more difficult than choosing other protective equipment" Take care to choose gloves
designed for the particular circumstances of your workplace"
What !inds of protective gloves are availa(le?
+loves made from a wide variety of materials are designed for virtually every workplace ha-ard"
4n general, however, they may e divided into four groups1
/urale work gloves made of metal mesh, leather, or canvas"
)aric and coated faric gloves"
@hemical and liquid resistant gloves"
4nsulating ruer gloves"
+etal +esh &eather or 'anvas %loves1 Sturdy gloves made from metal mesh, leather, or
canvas provide protection against cuts, urns, and sustained heat"
&eather gloves1 Aeather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, lows, chips, and rough
o'ects" *elders in particular need the duraility of higher9quality leather gloves"
,lumini/ed gloves1 These gloves usually are used for welding, furnace, and foundry work
ecause they provide reflective and insulating protection against heat" %lumini-ed gloves require
an insert made of synthetic materials that protect against heat and cold"
,ramid fi(er gloves1 %ramid is a synthetic material that protects against heat and cold" 2any
glove manufacturers use aramid fier to make gloves that are cut9 and arasive9resistant and
wear well"
*ther synthetic materials1 Several manufacturers make gloves with other synthetic farics that
offer protection against heat and cold" 4n addition to protection against temperature extremes,
gloves made with other synthetic materials are cut9 and arasive9resistant and may withstand
some diluted acids" These materials do not stand up against alkalis and solvents"
Fa(ric and 'oated Fa(ric %loves1 These gloves are made of cotton or other faric to provide
varying degrees of protection"
Fa(ric gloves1 These gloves can protect against dirt, slivers, chafing, and arasion" These
gloves do not provide sufficient protection, however, to e used with rough, sharp, or heavy
materials" %dding a plastic coating to some faric gloves strengthens them and makes them
effective protection for a variety of tasks"
'oated fa(ric gloves1 2anufacturers normally make these gloves from cotton flannel with
napping on one side" 3y coating the unnapped side with plastic, faric gloves are transformed
into general9purpose hand protection offering slip9resistant qualities" These gloves are used for
tasks ranging from handling ricks and wire rope to handling chemical containers in laoratory
operations" *hen selecting gloves to protect against chemical exposure ha-ards, always check
with the manufacturer (or review the manufacturer&s product literature! to determine the gloves&
effectiveness against the specific chemicals and conditions in the workplace"
'hemical$ and &iquid$1esistant %loves0 +loves made of ruer (latex, nitrile, or utyl!, plastic,
or synthetic ruer9like material such as neoprene protect workers from urns, irritation, and
dermatitis caused y contact with oils, greases, solvents, and other chemicals" The use of ruer
gloves also reduces the risk of exposure to lood and other potentially infectious sustances"
Some common gloves used for chemical protection are descried elow" 4n addition, Tale =
rates various gloves as protectors against specific chemicals and will help you select the most
appropriate gloves to protect your employees"
-utyl ru((er gloves1 These gloves protect against nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, red
fuming nitric acid, rocket fuels, and peroxide" $ighly impermeale to gases, chemicals, and water
vapor, utyl ruer gloves also resist oxidation and o-one corrosion" 4n addition, they resist
arasion and remain flexile at low temperatures"
Natural late) or ru((er gloves1 The comfortale wear and pliaility of latex gloves as well as
their protective qualities make them a popular general9purpose glove" 4n addition to resisting
arasions caused y sandlasting, grinding, and polishing, these gloves protect workers& hands
from most water solutions of acids, alkalis, salts, and ketones" *hen selecting hand protection,
you should e aware that latex gloves have caused allergic reactions in some individuals and
thus may not e appropriate for all of your employees" $ypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, and
powderless gloves are possile alternatives for individuals who are allergic to latex gloves"
Neoprene gloves" These gloves have good pliaility, finger dexterity, high density, and tear
resistance which protect against hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids, and alkalis"
Nitrile ru((er gloves" These sturdy gloves provide protection from chlorinated solvents such as
trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene " %lthough intended for 'os requiring dexterity and
sensitivity, nitrile gloves stand up to heavy use even after prolonged exposure to sustances that
cause other gloves to deteriorate" 4n addition, nitrile gloves resist arasions, punctures, snags,
and tears"
How do I ma!e sure my employees properly use the equipment I have selected?
Train your employees to use the protective gloves and sleeves" @hecklist ) will help you teach
your employees how to use and care for the equipment"
-ody Protection
When must I provide my employees with full (ody protection?
(ou must provide ody protection for employees if they are threatened with odily in'ury of one
kind or another while performing their 'os, and if engineering, work practice, and administrative
controls have failed to eliminate these ha-ards" *orkplace ha-ards that could cause odily in'ury
include the following1
4ntense heat
Splashes of hot metals and other hot liquids
4mpacts from tools, machinery, and materials
@uts
$a-ardous chemicals
@ontact with potentially infectious materials, like lood
Radiation"
If only part of the (ody faces potential in2ury must I provide my employees with full (ody
protection?
%s with all protective equipment, protective clothing is availale to protect against specific
ha-ards" (ou need to provide personal protective equipment only for the parts of the ody
exposed to possile in'ury" /epending upon ha-ards in your workplace, you may need to provide
your employees with one or more of the following1
,ests
;ackets
%prons
@overalls
Surgical gowns
)ull ody suits"
4f your ha-ard assessment indicates that you must provide full ody protection against toxic
sustances or harmful physical agents, you must1
4nspect the clothing carefully,
Ensure proper fit, and
2ake sure the protective clothing functions properly"
From what material should protective clothing (e made?
Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each suited to particular ha-ards" @onduct
your ha-ard assessment" 4dentify the sources of any possile odily in'ury" 4nstall any feasile
engineering controls, and institute work practice controls to eliminate the ha-ards" 4f the possiility
of odily in'ury still exists, provide protective clothing constructed of material that will protect
against the specific ha-ards in your workplace" 2aterials for protective clothing include the
following1
Paperli!e fi(er# /isposale suits made of this material provide protection against dust
and splashes"
Treated wool and cotton# Protective clothing made from treated wool and cotton adapts
well to changing workplace temperatures and is comfortale as well as fire resistant"
Treated cotton and wool clothing protects against dust, arasions, and rough and
irritating surfaces"
3uc!# This closely woven cotton faric protects employees against cuts and ruises
while they handle heavy, sharp, or rough materials"
&eather# Aeather protective clothing is often used against dry heat and flame"
1u((er ru((eri/ed fa(rics neoprene and plastics# Protective clothing made from
these materials protects against certain acids and other chemicals"
3e aware that different materials will protect against different chemical and physical ha-ards"
*hen chemical or physical ha-ards are present, check with the clothing manufacturer to make
sure that the material selected will provide protection from the specific chemical or physical
ha-ards in your workplace"
How do I ma!e sure employees properly use the (ody protection I provide?
Train your employees to use the protective clothing" @hecklist + will help you instruct
them in the use and care of the ody protection"
Hearing Protection
When must I provide hearing protection for my employees?
/etermining the need to provide hearing protection can e tricky" Employee exposure to
excessive noise depends upon a numer of factors1
$ow loud is the noise as measured in deciels (d3%!G
*hat is the duration of each employee&s exposure to the noiseG
/o employees move etween separate work areas with different noise levelsG
4s noise generated from one source or multiple sourcesG
+enerally, the louder the noise, the shorter the exposure time efore you must provide hearing
protection" )or instance, employees may e exposed to a noise level of :D d3% for 6 hours per
day efore you must provide hearing protection for them" Suppose, however, that the noise level
reaches 88< d3% in your workplace" Then you must provide hearing protection if their anticipated
exposure exceeds 8< minutes"
Tale < shows when you must provide hearing protection to employees exposed to occupational
noise at specific levels for specific periods" 0oises are considered continuous if the interval
etween occurrences of the maximum noise level is 8 second or less" 0oises not meeting this
definition are considered impact or impulse noises" Exposure to impact or impulse noises (loud
momentary explosions of sound! must not exceed 8=D d3" Examples of impact or impulse noises
may include the noise from a powder9actuated nail gun, the noise from a punch press, or the
noise from drop hammers"
Will earplugs reduce employee e)posure to high noise levels?
%s with other types of ha-ards, you must implement feasile engineering controls and work
practices efore resorting to PPE such as earplugs or earmuffs" 4f engineering and work practice
controls do not lower employee exposure to workplace noise to acceptale levels, then you must
provide employees with appropriate PPE"
What if my employees are e)posed to different levels of noise throughout the day?
4f employees move from location to location and the noise level is different in each location, or if
the noise levels in an area change throughout the day (e"g", equipment turns on or off!, you must
calculate an Hequivalent noise factorH to determine whether you must provide hearing protection"
2easure the noise level at each location in which the employee works"
)or each noise level, find the allowale duration in Tale <"
)or each location, divide the actual time the employee spends there y the permissile duration
for the noise at the measured level, according to Tale <"
%dd all the results from your division"
4f the total is greater than one, you must implement engineering controls or work practices or
provide hearing protection to your exposed employees"
The formula for calculating this exposure is as follows1
What !inds of devices protect against high noise levels? Is cotton sufficient as earplugs?
Plain" cotton does not effectively protect against occupational noise" (ou may, however, choose
from several products that are effective at protecting your employees& hearing"
"ingle$use earplugs" 2ade of waxed cotton, foam, or fierglass wool, these ear plugs are self9
forming and, when properly inserted, work as well as most molded earplugs"
Preformed or molded earplugs" Sometimes single use and disposale, these plugs must e
individually fitted y a professional" 0ondisposale plugs should e cleaned after each use"
Earmuffs# Earmuffs require a perfect seal around the ear" +lasses, long sideurns, long hair, and
facial movements such as chewing may reduce the protective value of earmuffs" (ou may
purchase special earmuffs designed for use with eyeglasses or eards"
If I provide my employees with hearing protection can they then wor! in areas with any
level of noise for any period of time?
0o" $earing protectors reduce only the amount of noise that gets through to the ears" The
amount of this reduction is referred to as attenuation" %ttenuation differs according to the type of
hearing protection used and how well they fit" The hearing protectors you choose must e
capale of achieving the attenuation needed to reduce the employee&s noise exposure to within
the acceptale limits noted in Tale <" #nce 4 have selected equipment to protect my employees&
hearing, how do 4 make sure they use it properlyG
Train your employees to use the hearing protection" @hecklist $ will help you train your
employees to use and care for the earplugs or earmuffs that you provide"
*nce I have provided my employees with hearing protection and training in how to use it
how do I !now that it is really protecting their hearing?
4f your employees are exposed to occupational noise at or aove 6< d3% averaged over an 69
hour period, then you must institute a hearing conservation program that includes regular testing
of employees& hearing y qualified professionals"
"ummary
(ou must consider many factors when selecting PPE to protect your employees from workplace
ha-ards" *ith all of the types of operations that can present ha-ards and all of the types of PPE
availale to protect the different parts of a worker&s ody from specific types of ha-ards, this
selection process can e confusing and at times overwhelming" 3ecause of this, #S$% requires
that you implement a PPE program to help you systematically assess the ha-ards in the
workplace and select the appropriate PPE that will protect your workers from those ha-ards" %s
part of this PPE program, you must do the following1
%ssess the workplace to identify equipment, operations, chemicals, and other workplace
components that could harm your employees"
4mplement engineering controls and work practices to control or eliminate these ha-ards to the
extent feasile"
Select the appropriate types of PPE to protect your employees from ha-ards that cannot e
eliminated or controlled through engineering controls and work practices"
4nform your employees why the PPE is necessary and when it must e worn"
Train your employees how to use and care for the selected PPE and how to recogni-e PPE
deterioration and failure"
Require your employees to wear the selected PPE in the workplace"
The asic information presented here attempts to estalish and illustrate a logical, structured
approach to ha-ard assessment and PPE selection and application for you to use as a starting
point for your PPE program"