Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Creative Safety Supply April 2014 | Page 2

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) OSHA’S 29 CFR 1910.1 MANDATES THAT EMPLOYERS REQUIRE, PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN NECESSARY PPE WHEN HAZARDS ARE PRESENT Employers must assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present that require the use of personal protective equipment. If such hazards are present, protective equipment must be selected. Workers must then be trained, properly fit, and required to use the selected PPE. Employers must also properly maintain PPE. PROTECTION FROM HEAD INJURIES HARD HATS PROTECTION FROM FOOT & LEG INJURIES Hard hats can protect workers from head impact, penetration injuries, and electrical injuries such as those caused by falling or flying objects, fixed objects, or contact with electrical conductors. Also, OSHA regulations require employers to ensure that workers cover and protect long hair to prevent it from getting caught in machine parts such as belts and chains. PROTECTION FROM HAND INJURIES BOOTS PROTECTION FROM HEARING LOSS Workers exposed to harmful substances through skin absorption, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperatureextremes will benefit from hand protection. GLOVES EAR PROTECTION PROTECTION FROM EYE & FACE INJURIES OTHER TYPES OF MANDATORY EYE & FACE PROTECTION FACE SHIELD Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can help prevent damage to hearing. Exposure to high noise levels can cause irreversible hearing loss or impairment as well as physical and psychological stress. Earplugs made from foam, waxed cotton, or fiberglass wool are self-forming and usually fit well. A professional should fit your workers individually for molded or preformed earplugs. Clean earplugs regularly, and replace those you cannot clean. PROTECTION FROM BODY INJURY Besides spectacles and goggles, personal protective equipment such as special helmets or shields, spectacles with side shields, and faceshields can protect workers from the hazards of flying fragments, large chips, hot sparks, optical radiation, splashes from molten metals, as well as objects, particles, sand, dirt, mists, dusts, and SAFETY GLASSES glare. SAFETY GOGGLES In addition to foot guards and safety shoes, leggings (e.g., leather, aluminized rayon, or other appropriate material) can help prevent injuries by protecting workers from hazards such as falling or rolling objects, sharp objects, wet and slippery surfaces, molten metals, hot surfaces, and electrical hazards. In some cases, workers must shield most or all of their bodies against hazards in the workplace, such as exposure to heat and radiation as well as hot metals, scalding liquids, body fluids, hazardous materials or waste, and other hazards. In addition to fire-retardant wool and fire retardant cotton, materials used in whole-body personal protective equipment include PROTECTIVE CLOTHING rubber, leather, synthetics, and plastic. OTHER TYPES OF MANDATORY BODY PROTECTION WELDER’S MASK SAFETY SUIT APRON SAFETY HARNESS VISIBILTY VEST RESPIRATORY PROTECTION RESPIRATOR When engineering controls are not feasible, workers must use appropriate respirators to protect against adverse health effects caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. Respirators generally cover the nose and mouth or the entire face or head and help prevent illness and injury. A proper fit is essential for respirators to be effective. Required respirators must be NIOSHapproved and medical evaluation and training must be provided before use. Each PPE symbol is a general requirement. There are different levels of PPE required for individual work tasks. For instance, there are Type 1 and Type 2 hard hats, as well as electrical classes G, C and E. Employers must specify the required type of PPE to be used. Symbols and signage serve as reminders and warnings for each piece of PPE, but employees must be trained on the proper use, limitations, fit and maintenance of PPE. References: Some excerpts are taken directly from OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1910.1 & the OSHA PPE Fact Sheet. This guide is for general information purposes only. It is not a substitute for review of applicable laws and standards. For complete PPE requirements, please visit www.OSHA.gov. Creative Safety Supply | phone: [phone] | fax: [phone] www.creativesafetysupply.com | email: [email protected]