Professional Documents
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
(2) Every worker shall cooperate with the employer in carrying out the provisions of this Standards. He
shall report to his supervisor any work hazard that may be discovered in his workplace.
(3) Every worker shall make proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished in accordance with
the provisions of this Standards for his protection and that of others, and shall follow all instructions
given by the employer in compliance with the provisions of this Standards.
(4) It shall be the duty of any person, including any builder or contractor or enforcement agent, who
visits, builds, renovates, or installs devices, or conducts business in any establishment or workplace, to
comply with the provisions of this Standards and all regulations of the emp
2/1/19
The existing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) personal protective equipment (PPE) standards are found
in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910 Subpart I for General Industry, Part 1915 Subpart I for Maritime, Part 1917
Subpart E for Marine Terminals, Part 1918 Subpart J for Longshoring and Part 1926 Subpart E for Construction. This document
will focus on standards for PPE intended for use in general industry.
A Look at the Standards
29 CFR 1910.133 Eye and Face Protection: “The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or
face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic
liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.” Eye and face protection must comply with:
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1American National Standard for Eye and Face Protection which was last updated in 2015. (See Quick Tips
#125 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements: Eye and Face Protection, #315 Safety Goggles: Types, Uses and
29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory protection: “The employer shall provide arespirator to each employee when such equipment is
necessary to protect the health of such employee. The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable for
the purpose intended. The employer shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protection
#193 SCBA Information
#275 Types of Respirators
29 CFR 1910.135 Head protection: “The employer shall ensure that each affected employee wears a protective helmet when
working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects. The employer shall ensure that a protective
helmet designed to reduce electrical shock hazard is worn by each such affected employee when near exposed electrical
conductors which could contact the head.” Performance criteria for head protection are provided in the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) Z89.1 American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection. This standard is incorporated by
reference in 29 CFR 1910.135 and 29 CFR 1910.6. The most recent revision was issued on May 15, 2014. (See Quick Tips #241
footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the
sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.” Protective footwear must comply with ASTM F-2412-
18a: Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection and ASTM F-2413-18 Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for
29 CFR 1910.137 Electrical protective equipment: details the design requirements for specific types of electrical protective
equipment—rubber insulating blankets, rubber insulating matting, rubber insulating covers, rubber insulating line hose, rubber
insulating gloves, and rubber insulating sleeves used for the primary insulation of employees from energized circuit parts. It also
details the in-service care and use of all electrical protective equipment covered by this standard. (See Quick Tip #262 Electrical
29 CFR 1910.138 Hand protection: “Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when
employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations;
severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.” Employers should select
appropriate hand protection relative to the application, present conditions, duration of use and any identified or potential hazards.
(See Quick Tips #166 Chemical Resistance Guide for Gloves, #191 Chemical Resistant Gloves Guide, #262 Electrical Safety
Gloves: Inspection and Classification, #301 Cut-Resistant Glove Selection and Use, #306 Safety Glove Size Chart, #386 Leather
Work Glove Selection, #394 Choosing the Right Disposable Glove, and #396 Glove Selection – Using ANSI/ISEA 105-2016
29 CFR 1910.140 Personal Fall Protection Systems: “Employers shall ensure that each personal fall protection system used to
comply with this part must meet all applicable requirements of this section. This section establishes performance, care, and use
criteria for all personal fall protection systems such as personal fall arrest systems and positioning systems.”
Fit snugly and not unduly interfere with the movements of the wearer
Be durable
Be easily cleanable
Hazard Assessment
Employers must assess their workplaces to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which require the use of
PPE. A documented and certified walk-though survey (hazard assessment) of each work area must be done. The certification
must show the date of assessment, area evaluated and the name of the person certifying the evaluation. The survey should
Penetration
Compression (roll-over)
Chemicals
Heat
Harmful dust
After the survey has been completed, the employer must select proper PPE. Employees who purchase their own equipment must
Employee-Owned Equipment
Employers must ensure all PPE used by employees regardless if supplied by the employer or employee is adequate for the
Training
OSHA states in 29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1), each employee who is required to wear any type of PPE must be trained to know at least
the following:
To ensure each employee is properly trained, clear measurable objectives should be thought out. Since the regulation requires the
employee to demonstrate an understanding of the above list, objectives should center on this criteria. For example, in reviewing
limitations of gloves, the employee should know about permeation and breakthrough times of the chemicals they are working
with. They should also know how to clean and inspect the gloves, and how to properly dispose of a glove that cannot be
decontaminated.
The employer must verify that all the necessary training has been provided. A written certification showing the name of the
employee and date of training is required. The document must be identified as a certificate of training. Retraining must be
completed if there is a change in workplace conditions, a change in the PPE used or the employee demonstrates inadequacies in
Payment of PPE
This rule outlines what is required of employers in regards to the payment of the PPE and also provides clarification on:
Replacement PPE
Employee-owned PPE
Upgrading PPE
A: Work areas must undergo a hazard assessment anytime there is a process change, new equipment is introduced, an upward
trend in accident statistics that indicate a problem area is noted, or when reviewing the appropriateness of the previously selected
PPE.
Q: If an employee is allowed to use their own PPE, who is responsible for maintaining and sanitizing the PPE?
A: The employer is still required to ensure that the PPE is appropriate for the task, including proper maintenance and sanitation of