Personal

Protective
Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective
Equipment
in
the
Past
People have used
Personal
Protective
equipment (PPE)
for centuries to
protect
themselves while
they at work.

For example:
Medieval knights had armor.

Blacksmiths have always used

a leather apron.

Cowboys wear leather chaps.

Eskimos wear a heavy parka,

gloves, and boots.
Firemen wear heavy coats and
special helmets.

Employer
Responsibiliti
es

Employer Responsibilities:

Employers are required to

conduct an assessment to
determine the various
physical hazards and health
hazards that may be
present in your work area.

Physical hazards includes:

Sources of motion
Sources of high and low temperatures
Sources of light radiation:
-

welding

- brazing

- heat treating
- high intensity lights

Sources of falling objects

Sources of sharp objects
Sources of rolling or pinching objects
Sources of electric hazards
Floor conditions

Physical hazards includes:

- Types of chemicals you could be exposed t

- Sources of harmful dusts; and
- Sources of nuclear radiation

Selection
PPE:
EmployerofResponsibilities:
Once your area has
been assessed,
your employer
must select, with
your help,
appropriate
personal
protection
equipment for you
to use while
performing your
job.

Providing PPE
Once your area has been assessed,
your employer must provide, at no cost
to you, appropriate personal protection
equipment that fits, for you to use
while performing your job.

NOTE: If you have your own

personal protective equipment,
it must be approved by your
employer before you can use it
on the job. Check with your
supervisor or safety manager
before using your own
equipment.

Employer Responsibilities:
Training
Your employer must also provide you with
training. Your training must include:
When PPE is necessary?
What PPE is necessary
How to properly use your
PPE ?
How to care for your PPE?
How to store your PPE?

Employer Responsibilities:
Maintenance of PPE
In addition to
providing you with PPE,
your employer must
maintain the PPE used
by employees. If a
piece of PPE cannot be
repaired, it must be
discarded and replaced.

Employer Responsibilities:
Recordkeeping
Finally, your
employer must maintain
records of the
workplace assessment
and of your training.

Employee
Responsibiliti
es

Employee Responsibilities:
Attend Training Sessions
You are responsible for attending all PPE
training sessions. Remember, the best PPE in
the world is useless unless you know how to
use and care for it

Employee Responsibilities:
Assess Potential Hazards

Before you start any

job, assess the real and
potential hazards
associated with that job.

Employee Responsibilities:
Follow ALL Warnings and Precautions
Take time to read any and all
warnings and precautions that
may appear on tools, equipment,
chemicals, MSDSs, and personal
protective equipment.

Employee Responsibilities :
Listen and Follow Directions
Listen and follow
the directions that you
may be given by your
supervisor or safety
manager. They want
you to return home
today, and everyday,
safe and sound to your
family and friends.

Employee Responsibilities :
Report
Report any and ALL
unsafe conditions you
may find in your work
area to your supervisor
or safety manager.

REMEMBER: Safety is a team effort!