personal protective equipment
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad of other potentially dangerous situations. Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions, the use of engineering or work practice controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent possible. When work practice and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure its use.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury and other hazards.
The Requirement for PPE To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful work environment. In general, employers are responsible for:
■ Performing a "hazard assessment" of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards.
■ Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.
■ Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.
Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.
■ Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program.
Employees should:
■ Properly wear PPE,
■ Attend training sessions on PPE,
■ Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and
■ Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.
The hazard assessment should survey of the facility to develop a list of potential hazards in the following basic hazard categories:
■ Impact,
■ Penetration,
■ Compression (roll-over),
■ Chemical,
■ Heat/cold,
■ Harmful dust,
■ Light (optical) radiation, and
■ Biologic. In addition to noting the basic layout
Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad of other potentially dangerous situations. Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions, the use of engineering or work practice controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent possible. When work practice and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure its use.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury and other hazards.
The Requirement for PPE To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful work environment. In general, employers are responsible for:
■ Performing a "hazard assessment" of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards.
■ Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.
■ Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.
Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.
■ Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program.
Employees should:
■ Properly wear PPE,
■ Attend training sessions on PPE,
■ Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and
■ Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.
The hazard assessment should survey of the facility to develop a list of potential hazards in the following basic hazard categories:
■ Impact,
■ Penetration,
■ Compression (roll-over),
■ Chemical,
■ Heat/cold,
■ Harmful dust,
■ Light (optical) radiation, and
■ Biologic. In addition to noting the basic layout