Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Compiled by
Dr. S.D. Allen Iske, Associate Professor
University of Central Missouri
CHAPTER 7
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Methods of Controlling Exposure
to Hazards Within the Workplace
• Engineering Controls - designed into the workplace
• Administrative Controls - worker rotation, proper
housekeeping and training
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-Equipment,
clothing or materials which are used in the workplace, for
the purpose of reducing the risk of injury or illness due to
workplace hazards.
Introduction
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to the use of
respirators, special clothing, safety glasses, hard hats, or
similar devices whose proper use reduces the risk of
personal injury or illness resulting from occupational
hazards.
• Least desirable method applied for protection.
• Engineering controls—eliminating toxic substances,
changing process design, using barriers or guards,
isolating or enclosing hazards.
• Administrative controls—worker rotation, implementing
proper housekeeping, proper worker training.
Programs and Policies
• When hazards cannot be removed through engineering or
administrative controls, the use of PPE becomes the best
method for protection.
• Creating a program to introduce PPE, both written policies
and enforcement measures are important.
• Management and the work force should embrace the use
of PPE.
Types of PPE and Coverage Area
• Head protection
• Eye and face protection
• Hearing protection
• Fall arrest protection
• Respiratory protection
• Hand and arm protection
• Protective footwear
• Special work clothing
Program to Introduce PPE
• Assessments of hazards in the workplace are conducted
to determine the need for PPE to protect workers.
• Management should complete the following:
1. Write a policy on usage of the PPE and communicate it to the
employees.
2. Select the proper equipment.
3. Implement a thorough training program to make certain
employees know the correct use and maintenance of their
equipment.
4. Enforce the use of PPE.
Policy
• The written program should include a policy, hazard
assessment or PPE-needs assessment, selection of PPE
to be used, worker training and motivation in use of PPE,
and enforcement of company PPE policy.
• The policy should clearly state the need for and use of
PPE.
• It also should identify any exceptions and limitations to the
use of PPE.
• Details of the specific work conditions are often stated.
• Management must follow the same safety rules.
Selection of Proper Equipment
• Except for respiratory protection devices, few items of
PPE are tested according to performance specifications
and approved by impartial or third-party examiners.
• ANSI standards
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Certified Equipment List
• SEI (Safety Equipment Institute)
• developed policies for third-party certification of safety equipment
• existing certification programs include eye and face protection,
emergency eyewash and shower equipment, firefighters’ helmets,
protective headwear, protective footwear, and personal fall protection
Proper Training
• PPE training programs should include:
• description of what hazards and/or conditions exist in the
workplace environment
• explanation of what has been done, can/cannot be done about
hazards
• explanation of why a certain type of PPE has been selected
• discuss the capabilities and/or limitations of PPE
• demonstrate the use, adjust, or fit of the PPE
Proper Training (Cont.)
• Practice use of the PPE.
• Explain the company policy and its enforcement.
• Discuss how to deal with emergencies.
• Discuss how PPE will be paid for, maintained, repaired,
cleaned, and any other details.
• Use of PPE must be enforced including disciplinary
measures.
• 29 CFR 1910.132-138
• establishes the employer’s obligation to provide PPE to employees
Head Protection (Safety Helmets)
• Used to protect the head from:
• impacts caused by falling objects
• to protect from electrical shock and burns
• to prevent entanglement of hair or the head in machinery
• ANSI standard Z89.1-2003
• A helmet is a device that is worn to provide protection for the head
from, impact, flying particles, electrical shock, and must contain a
suitable harness.
Helmet Classifications
• Type 1—helmet with full brim not < 1¼ inches wide to
reduce the force of impact to top of head
• Type 2—helmets intended to reduce the force of impact
from a blow to the sides or top of head
• Class G (general)—general service, limited voltage
protection (impact hazards, heavy industrial settings—
manufacturing and construction)
• Class E (electrical)—utility service, high-voltage
protection—falling or flying objects, and high-voltage
shock and burns
• Class C (conductive)—special service, no voltage
protection—comfort, bump of head, no electrical
protection
Head Protection (Cont.)
• Bump caps—not a helmet or hard hat; no standards
except manufacturer’s specification; impact from bumping
into stationary objects or from cleaning in tight spaces,
and not from overhead operations; risk of potential injury
is limited. Not to replace helmets required by Z89.1.