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Personal Protective Equipment

What Employees Need to Know

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Session Objectives

Understand the PPE hazard assessment process

Understand why different types of PPE �are selected

Know how to properly wear and care �for PPE

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Hazard Assessment

Evaluate every job function
Determine if hazards �are present
Check for hazards to all �parts of the body
Determine appropriate PPE

Slide Show Notes

A hazard assessment is essential to understand the types of hazards employees, like you, might be exposed to. It is a requirement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that hazard assessments be performed before PPE is selected. Here is an overview of how a hazard assessment is conducted.

First, your employer evaluates every job function in every department for potential hazards.

If any hazards are found during their assessment, they record what the hazards are.

Then, they determine what part of the body each hazard is a risk to. In this session we’ll focus on the eyes and face, respiratory system, hands, feet, and head.

Finally, your employer determines what type of PPE will protect against the hazards that are found. For example, if there is an eye hazard present, they will determine if safety glasses are adequate or whether goggles are needed.

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Eye and Face Assessment

Flying particles
Molten metal
Hazardous liquids

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An Eye Saved By Safety Glasses

While applying siding with an air powered staple gun, a staple hit a metal plate behind the siding, ricocheted back and one leg of the staple penetrated the wearer’s safety glasses' lens

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Eye and Face Assessment

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Eye and Face Assessment (cont.)

Acid or caustic liquids
Gases or vapors
Light radiation

Slide Show Notes

Here are some other eye and face hazards that are evaluated:

Acid or caustic liquids are especially dangerous because they can do serious damage to the eyes and face. Examples include acids used for etching, caustic liquids used in a number of cleaning operations, and battery acid from electric power vehicles such as forklifts.

Gases and vapors can also cause eye damage. For example, ammonia, which is used in some air-conditioning systems, can cause severe eye damage. Other vapors and gases can cause redness and irritation.

Potentially injurious light radiation refers to bright light from welding and cutting operations, or from laser operations. Eyes can be severely damaged if you look directly at welding or laser operations without proper protection.

Modify this slide to describe the specific hazards in your workplace.

Ask trainees to think of other potential eye and face hazards specific to the workplace that are not listed on this slide.

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Respiratory Protection �Hazard Assessment

Airborne dusts or particulates
Vapors or fumes
Lack of adequate oxygen

Slide Show Notes

Hazard assessments for respiratory protection evaluate the following conditions:

Potential inhalation of airborne dusts, fumes, or similar particulates, which might come from grinding, cutting, sanding, or welding operations. Other dusts might come from wood chips, grain, or other solid granular materials.

Another hazard is the inhalation of vapors or fumes, which can come from a wide variety of operations involving hazardous materials. A few examples include using solvents, spraying with aerosols, painting operations, and bulk handling, including loading or unloading of hazardous materials.

Lack of adequate oxygen usually refers to jobs in confined spaces where there may not be enough oxygen to enter without respiratory protection.

Think about the kinds of jobs and operations in your workplace that require respiratory protection.

Modify or delete this slide and the next slide as they apply or do not apply to your workplace.

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Respiratory Protection �Hazard Assessment (cont.)

Identify the specific source(s)
Review the work processes
Monitor the �exposure

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Hearing Hazard Assessment

Conduct a noise survey
Monitor impacted employees
Repeat monitoring�

Slide Show Notes

To know if we are at risk of hearing loss, we must evaluate our noise exposure.

The first step in evaluating our noise exposure is to conduct a noise survey. A noise survey will identify and characterize high-noise sources and identify employees who are impacted by high-noise levels.

Next, the noise exposure of employees at risk is evaluated. Because employees move about during their workday, a noise dosimeter is typically used. The dosimeter records all the noise levels and computes the average noise exposure level for that particular employee. This information can be transferred to other employees who do similar jobs.

Monitoring is repeated whenever a change in production, process, or equipment influences noise-level exposures.

What was the monitoring strategy employed by your workplace? �Who conducted the monitoring? Was it done internally or by an outside company? Discuss here.�Show trainees a map that indicates all the high-noise areas and the results of your facility’s noise monitoring, if available.��

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Head Hazard Assessment

Falling objects
Exposed electrical conductors
Low-hanging obstructions

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Foot Hazard Assessment

Falling, rolling, or sharp objects
Electrical hazards
Slippery walking surfaces
Hazardous materials
Cold weather conditions

Slide Show Notes

A hazard assessment does not forget potential foot hazards. There are many possible hazards to the feet, including:

Falling, rolling, or sharp objects that are dropped on feet by workers who handle heavy objects. In some workplaces, there may be exposure to heavy rolling objects such as large rolls of paper or forklift tires, which can crush someone’s foot. Another potential hazard is the presence of sharp objects that might pierce the sole of a worker’s shoe and foot.

There may be electrical hazards in some workplaces that require the use of insulated footwear that contains no metal.

Slippery walking surfaces may cause falls. While a fall might not injure the foot, slippery floors are considered a foot hazard because proper footwear is required to reduce the hazard.

Hazardous materials could be a foot hazard if there is a possibility of them splashing on the feet or seeping in through the soles.

Finally, cold weather conditions can be a foot hazard if there is the possibility of frostbite.

These are the primary types and causes of foot injuries.

Ask trainees to think of any other potential foot hazards specific to the workplace that are not listed on this slide.

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Hand Hazard Assessment

Skin absorption of �harmful substances
Severe cuts or lacerations
Severe abrasions

Slide Show Notes

A hand hazard assessment is very comprehensive, because there are so many different possible causes of hand injuries.

Skin absorption of hazardous materials, which often occurs through the hands, can cause skin damage.

Severe cuts and lacerations can result from working with machinery and equipment. These machines should have protective guarding, but you still need to know about the possible hazards. Cutting equipment such as saws and drills can cause severe injury if a hand is placed near the point of operation. Hand tools can cause cuts and punctures. Even metal straps or wires used for packaging can cause severe cuts if not handled carefully.

Severe abrasions, including scrapes, tearing of the skin, and removal of the skin, are other possible hand injuries. They can occur when using items such as sanders, grinders, conveyor belts, rotating shafts, scrap metal, and broken glass. Once again, you should know how to protect yourself against these kinds of hazards.

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Hand Hazard�Assessment�(cont.)

Punctures
Chemical burns
Thermal burns
Frostbite

Slide Show Notes

Other types of hand hazards include:

Puncture wounds, which can result from a wide variety of tools and equipment such as drills, nail guns, and even screwdrivers. Slivers of metal or wood can also cause deep punctures that can become infected.

Burns can be caused by handling acids, caustics, and many strong hazardous materials. Depending on the concentration of the corrosive, burns can be quite severe.

Thermal burns—that is, burns from heat—can result from welding, cutting, and brazing operations. Steam equipment, such as a boiler, involve many extremely hot items such as pipes and tanks. Industrial ovens for baking, drying, or annealing present obvious thermal burn hazards.

Finally, frostbite can result from working outside in frigid conditions or from working with cryogenic materials.

Ask trainees to think of any other potential hand hazards specific to the workplace that are not listed on this slide. Other hazards might include repetitive motion or exposure to vibrations.

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Clothing Assessment

Hot or cold �materials or objects
Hazardous materials
Welding hazards
Heavy, sharp, or �rough materials
Moving machinery

Slide Show Notes

Evaluating hazards includes an assessment to determine proper clothing. Here are some of the hazards that would require you to wear protective clothing:

Hot or cold materials or objects can cause skin damage. If you work around steam lines or in other hot environments, or work in refrigerated areas or other cold environments, you probably need protective clothing and other equipment.

If you work with hazardous materials you may need to wear protective clothing, in addition to protective gloves, boots, and eyewear, to guard against splashes.

Welding often requires wearing fire-resistant clothing to prevent being burned by sparks.

If you work with heavy, sharp, or rough materials you usually need to wear protective clothing to protect against cuts and abrasions on your body, arms, and legs.

Finally, if you work around moving machinery you should be alert to the type of clothing you wear, since loose clothing may get caught in the moving parts.

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Selecting Eye and �Face Protection

Safety glasses
Goggles
Face shields
Shaded filter lenses
Prescription eyewear
ANSI Z87

Slide Show Notes

In this part of the session we’ll talk about how your employer selects the appropriate personal protective equipment for different hazards. We’ll also focus on how to properly wear and care for each piece of PPE. Let’s start with the different types of eye and face protection.

Safety glasses with side protection are designed to protect against flying objects such as metal or wood chips.

Goggles protect the eyes against flying objects and from floating dust, hazardous liquids, gases, and vapors.

Face shields are needed to protect against splashes, hot slag, flying debris, and molten metals. The face shield that is selected should be specific to the hazard.

Shaded filter lenses are worn to protect against potentially harmful light radiation, such as from welding operations or certain laser equipment.

Prescription safety glasses may be appropriate if you need corrective eyewear. Wearing contact lenses is not recommended when exposed to such hazards as dust, hazardous liquids or vapors, and high temperatures.

All approved eye and face protection must be marked “Z87,” meaning that it complies with the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, standard for eye PPE.

Bring examples of the different types of eye protection that have been selected for each hazard identified in your organization’s hazard assessment.

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Wear and Care of Eye Protection

Fits comfortably
Does not distort �or block vision
Put on before exposure
Clean regularly
Dispose when damaged

Slide Show Notes

If eye protection is required for your job function, it’s important that you wear and care for it properly. Here are some steps to follow:

PPE for the eyes and face should always fit comfortably. Eyewear shouldn’t pinch your nose or put pressure on your head.

Eyewear should not distort or block your vision. If you are experiencing dizziness or headaches from wearing eye protection, try another style or brand.

Remember to put eyewear on before being exposed to a hazard. This may seem obvious, but many eye injuries occur each year because workers forget to put on their protective eyewear before starting a hazardous job.

Keep protective eyewear clean by washing regularly with soap and water, or with special cleaning products. Regular cleaning helps make sure that your vision is not blocked or blurred. If you are exposed to dust or hazardous liquids while wearing goggles, make sure to clean off the top rim of the goggles before removing them. This prevents dust or liquid from dripping or falling into the eyes when the PPE is removed.

Dispose of protective eyewear if scratched or otherwise damaged because it may not fit correctly, may distort your vision, or provide inadequate protection.

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Selecting Respiratory Protection

Filtering face piece (dust mask)
Air purifying respirator

- Cartridge type

Slide Show Notes

As with protective eyewear, there are different kinds of respiratory PPE that may be selected according to the kind of hazards involved.

A filtering face piece, or dust mask, is worn to protect against inhaling dust. You may choose to wear a dust mask voluntarily �if you are exposed to low levels of dust. However, if you are exposed to high levels of dust, or hazardous dust above permissible exposure limits, or PELs, you are required to wear a filtering �face piece.

Air purifying respirators—either full-face or half-face—are the most common type of respiratory protection. These respirators use a cartridge or filter to purify the air being breathed, and provide protection against vapors and fumes. Air purifying respirators must be worn by workers when monitoring shows that PELs have been exceeded. At levels below the PEL, you may choose to wear a respirator.

Cartridges for air purifying respirators are carefully chosen by �your employer. No type of cartridge will filter out all possible contaminants, so the cartridge will be specific to the hazard. In addition, it’s important to know how long it takes for a hazardous material to “break through” the cartridge; this lets you know how often the cartridge must be replaced.

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Selecting Respiratory Protection (cont.)

Air-supplied respirator
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
NIOSH-approved

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Wear and Care�of Respiratory�Protection

Medical approval
Conduct a fit test
Inspect before �each use

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Wear and Care of �Respiratory Protection (cont.)

Check the seal
Clean regularly
Store properly

Slide Show Notes

Here are some more steps to follow if you wear a respirator in the workplace.

Check the seal of the respirator every time you put it on, to make sure it fits your face properly. A positive seal check involves breathing out while blocking the exhalation valve to see if air escapes. A negative seal check involves covering the inhalation valves while breathing in. The respirator should stay caved in—if it doesn’t, the seal leaks.

You should clean your respirator regularly. Daily cleaning might involve using an alcohol wipe. A thorough cleaning, needed periodically, involves taking the respirator apart and cleaning it with soap and water, then leaving the parts to air dry.

It’s also important to properly store respirators to protect them from dust and other contaminants. Place the respirator in a sealed plastic bag, and store so its natural shape is not distorted.

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Hearing Protection

Earplugs
Canal caps
Earmuffs

Image courtesy of Elvex Corporation

Slide Show Notes

Hearing protection is required when you work in areas that contain loud sound. There are many types of hearing protection, including earplugs, canal caps, and earmuffs.

There are many different styles and brands of earplugs, but they are all very similar. Earplugs offer great protection from noise and are lightweight and unobtrusive. Just remember to make sure the plugs are clean before inserting them in your ear. Get a new pair at the beginning of each day.

Canal caps are useful for employees who are exposed to loud noise for short periods of time or someone who has to walk through a high-noise area to get from one department to another. They usually do not have the same protection as the plugs because they do not enter the ear canal; they merely cap the canal’s entrance.

Earmuffs are generally used as a supplemental protection from noise. They might be used in addition to earplugs to help reduce noise exposure even further. Headphones from portable radios do not count as hearing protection devices. If the earmuffs do not fit perfectly or seal adequately, they can actually increase noise exposure because noise may actually echo inside the “muff.” The following guidance should be followed when wearing earmuffs:

Muffs must fully enclose the ears and seal against the head.

Pull hair back and out from beneath the muffs.

Make sure glasses and caps don’t interfere with seal.

Adjust headband so cushions exert even pressure.

Clean muffs with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

Bring samples of the types of hearing protection devices that your workplace makes available to employees. Describe how employees can obtain the hearing protection devices. Where do they go to get them? What do they have to do?

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Selecting Head Protection

Hard hats
Electrical insulation �hard hats
Bump caps
ANSI Z89

Slide Show Notes

As with other types of PPE, if head hazards are found in your workplace, your employer selects head protection specific to each hazard. Here are some examples:

Hard hats protect the head from impact or penetration. They are usually made of high-density polyethylene so that they are lightweight, but strong enough to protect against falling objects.

Electrical insulation hard hats are used to reduce the risk of electrical shock and can protect against such hazards as power lines. However, do not assume that a hard hat will protect against electrical hazards just because it is not made of metal.

Bump caps should be used around low-hanging objects such as pipes, steel structures, or machinery parts. However, bump caps are not intended to protect against falling objects or electrical hazards.

Hard hats in the workplace must meet ANSI standards and be marked with “Z89” to show that they meet these standards.

When discussing the selection of head protection, bring examples of the different types of head protection that have been selected for each of the hazards identified in your organization’s hazard assessment.

If possible, have your safety supply vendor let you borrow a variety of different types of head protection for demonstration so employees can pick out the equipment that works best for them and meets the requirements of the job.

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Wear and Care of �Head Protection

Fit properly
Inspect before �each use
Clean regularly
Used only to protect the head

Slide Show Notes

Head protection needs to be worn correctly and cared for properly.

Head protection must fit properly. There are different kinds of suspension systems for hard hats, and you should know how to adjust the suspension for a secure and comfortable fit.

Inspect the hard hat before each use. Check for cracks or any other damage that might reduce the ability of the hard hat to provide protection. This includes inspecting the suspension system for cracks, worn straps, or other damage. Make sure the suspension system is installed properly, not backwards.

Clean hard hats regularly with soap and water.

Finally, hard hats should be used only for their intended purpose, which is to protect the head. They should not be used as a seat or a step stool, as this might damage them and reduce their ability to protect the head properly.

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Selecting Foot Protection

Steel-toed boots
Metatarsal protection
Puncture- or slip-resistant soles
Chemical resistance
Waterproof and cold-weather footwear
ANSI Z41

Slide Show Notes

Wearing foot protection is another important way to reduce the risk of serious injuries. Different types of foot PPE include:

Steel-toed work boots or shoes protect against rolling or falling objects that could crush your toes.

Some footwear provides metatarsal protection—that is, it protects the bones of the foot behind the toes. Other types of protective footwear provide steel in the heel and along the ankle to help keep the ankle from being twisted.

The sole of the shoe or boot can protect against different kinds of hazards. Some soles are puncture-resistant to protect against sharp objects, while slip-resistant soles prevent injury on wet or slippery floors, and still others prevent absorption. Be aware that surfaces with water on them require a different kind of slip-resistant sole than surfaces with oily substances.

Chemical-resistant boots are needed if there is a risk of splashing from liquid chemicals, acids, or caustics.

Waterproof and cold-weather footwear may be needed if you work in wet, muddy, or cold conditions. Rain boots made of PVC or rubber can help keep feet dry. Special liners can help insulate feet against extreme cold.

Lastly, protective footwear must be marked “Z41” to show that it complies with ANSI standards.

Bring examples of the different types of foot protection selected for each of the hazards identified in your organization’s hazard assessment.

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Wear and Care �Of Foot Protection

Fit comfortably
Inspected before �each use
No cracks or holes �in chemical or �waterproof boots
Check soles for �excessive wear
Keep clean

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Selecting Hand Protection

Chemical-resistant gloves
Kevlar,^® metal mesh, cut-resistant gloves
Leather work gloves
Extreme temperature gloves
Electrical work gloves

Slide Show Notes

The proper hand protection is essential for protecting against a wide range of possible injuries. Let’s familiarize ourselves with the different types of hand PPE.

Chemical-resistant gloves can be made of rubber, latex, Viton^®, butyl, nitrile, neoprene, or PVC, and are graded by the manufacturer for degradation, breakthrough time, and permeation rate. The type of chemical-resistant gloves chosen will be specific to the chemical being used.

Gloves made of Kevlar^® and metal mesh are resistant to cuts and punctures. These kinds of gloves should be worn when handling saws, knives, or glass.

Leather or canvas work gloves are commonly used to protect against cuts and scrapes. These can be coated with other materials to improve grip.

Extreme temperatures of hot or cold require special gloves. Gloves made of terrycloth, leather, or pigskin help protect against burns. Gloves with liners are helpful when working in cold conditions.

Electricians need lineman’s gloves designed to protect against different levels of voltage. High-voltage gloves are black rubber with red interior so that any cuts or damage to the outside layer can easily be seen. Liners are worn under these gloves to help absorb perspiration.

Bring examples of the different types of hand protection that have been selected for each of the hazards identified in your hazard assessment.

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Hand Protection

It has been estimated that almost 20% of all disabling accidents on the job involve the hands.

Some examples of traumatic injuries to your hands:

Cuts: Tools and machines with a �sharp edges

Punctures: Staples, screwdrivers, nails, chisels and stiff wire

Sprains, Crushing Injuries: Getting your hands caught in machinery

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Wear and Care of �Hand Protection

Comfortable fit
Inspect before �each use
Keep clean and dry
Discard if damaged �or contaminated

Slide Show Notes

As with all other kinds of personal protective equipment, the proper wear and care of hand protection is extremely important.

Protective gloves should fit comfortably. Gloves should not be too tight, which restricts your hand movement, or too loose, which creates the hazard of being snagged or limits the ability to grip and feel properly.

Inspect protective gloves before each use. Check chemical-resistant gloves for cracks, holes, cuts, or other damage. Gloves that protect against cuts and punctures should not show wear and tear. Electrician’s gloves should not have any tears or scrapes. Aluminized heat-resistant gloves should not have abrasions on the outer surface or damage to the inner linings.

Keep gloves clean and dry. You should decontaminate chemical-resistant gloves after each use.

It’s also important to discard gloves if they become damaged or contaminated.

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Selecting General �Work Clothing

Long-sleeve shirts �and long pants
Flame-retardant clothing
No loose clothing �or jewelry
Chemical-resistant clothing

Slide Show Notes

As a final point about proper protection, we’ll discuss how general work clothing is selected to guard against possible hazards.

Long-sleeve shirts and long pants help protect against skin damage from contact with hot or cold objects. Long-sleeve shirts and long pants also protect against sharp or rough materials that could cause cuts and abrasions. They also may be necessary if working in cold conditions, in addition to coats and jackets.

Flame-retardant clothing should be worn by welders or grinders who are exposed to sparks.

Loose clothing and jewelry should not be worn if you are exposed to moving machinery. Long hair should be tied back. The machinery might grab loose sleeves, ties, lapels, cuffs, watches, bracelets, or rings, and pull body parts into the machine.

Finally, chemical-resistant clothing provides protection against the specific materials being used.

Clarify what clothing is and is not required to protect workers against the specific hazards in your workplace.

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Every job function in every department �is assessed for hazards.

Each part of the body is taken into consideration during assessments.

PPE is selected in response to specific hazards.

Proper wear and care of PPE is necessary to provide effective protection.

Key Points to Remember!

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Selecting PPE—�Any Questions?

Do you understand:

How the appropriate PPE is selected?
What the �limitations are?
How to properly wear and care for PPE?