PERSONAL PROTECTIVE

EQUIPMENT (PPE)

EROS G. ZUÑIGA
Safety Consultant
 Why is PPE Important?
Even with engineering controls,
personal protective equipment (PPE) maybe required
as part of normal safety procedures. If a control fails,
or something else unexpected happens,
it would be best if
the worker is wearing the required PPE
that will provide the protective barrier
between the worker and the hazard
 The PPE should

Match the specific hazard associated

with your job.
Properly fit and be correctly worn.
Be regularly inspected & maintained
in good condition.
 Head Protection
The most common form of protective equipment
for your head is the hard hat.
Primarily, a hard hat is intended to protect your
head from an impact. Some types of hard hats also
offer protection from electrical shock.

Most jobs related hard head injuries

are the result of an impact from a
falling or moving object. A hard hat is
constructed to reduce the effects of the impact
by deflecting or absorbing some or all of its force.
 Construction of the Hardhat

• An outer shell made of an impact resistant

material such as high strength plastic, fiberglass or
metal.
• A suspension harness or webbing attached to the
outer shell that provides protective clearance
between the outer shell and your head.
• An adjustable headband attached to the suspension
harness.
 Classification of Hardhats

• CLASS A – Low Voltage Protection

• CLASS B – High Voltage Protection

• Class C – No electrical protection

Inspection and Maintenance

• The shell has no cracks, deep cuts, gouges,

or areas where the material has been rubbed
thin.
• The suspension harness is not stretched,
frayed, rotted, or worn thin.
• The connections between the harness and
shell are not loose or broken.
• The headband is not frayed or damaged.
 Eye and Face Protection
• Impact – material fragments, chips or other flying objects
that can strike the eyes or face.
• Irritating dusts – particles in the air that can settle in the
eyes, making it difficult to work safely.
• Chemical splashes – contact with hazardous substances
that can cause skin or eye injuries.
• Extreme heat – exposure to temperatures high enough to
physically burn skin or eyes.
• Optical radiation and glare – direct or indirect exposure to
sources of extremely bright or harmful wavelengths of
light.
 Proper Fit
• Face shields should provide enough clearance between the
plastic shield and your face for safety glasses or goggles.
The adjustable headband should be snug enough to keep
the face shield in place as the worker tilts the head forward
or when the shield is lifted up out of the way.
• Safety glasses should rest comfortably on the worker’s
nose or ears, and should be secure enough to keep them
from slipping down the nose when the worker bends over.
• The headband on safety goggles needs to be tight enough
to maintain the seal between the goggles and your face.
Inspection and Maintenance
 Examine each item for such problems:
- Worn or damaged headbands on face shields and goggles.
- Loose or damaged ear and nose pieces on safety glasses.
- Cracked, scratched, pitted, or loose lenses on face shields,
safety glasses or goggles.
- Plugged ventilation holes on goggles.
- Damaged, loose or missing side or top shields on safety
glasses.

 Cleaning and decontaminating face shields, safety glasses

and goggles should be done according to manufacturer’s
instructions.
 Hand Protection for the ffg. Hand
Hazards
• Abrasions - bruises, scrapes, and scratches from routine materials
handling. Appropriate glove type: leather or heavy fabric or a combination of
both.
• Cuts - lacerations from knives and other cutting tools or materials
with sharp edges. Appropriate glove type: gloves made of stainless steel or
aramid fibers (KEVLAR)
• Temperature extremes – burns from exposure to extremely hot or cold
surfaces, materials or environment. Appropriate glove type: gloves or liners
with temperature rating, usually KEVLAR.
• Chemical - injuries or illness caused by contact with hazardous
substances. Appropriate glove type: rubber type gloves; such as neoprene,
nitrile, polyvinyl chloride, natural rubber, butyl rubber, etc.
• Electrical shock – injuries caused by contact with live electric current.
Appropriate glove type: made of non-conductive materials such as vulcanized
rubber or synthetic rubbers called elastomers.
 Inspection and Maintenance

• All gloves should be stored right side out, and

left in their natural shape, with cuffs unrolled
• Regular and thorough inspection of all types of
gloves is important. These gloves should be
inspected carefully for:
- Punctures, tears, cracks or abrasions.
- Changes in the texture of the material, such as
swelling, softening, hardening, or sticky spots.
 Type of Foot Protection for the
following Foot Hazards
• Impact – heavy falling or rolling objects that can
injure the toes or instep
• Puncture – sharp objects that can pierce the
bottom of the foot
• Chemical – direct contact with hazardous
substances that can cause serious injuries or
illness.
• Electric Shock – contact with exposed electrical
components.
Inspection and Maintenance
• Protective footwear for chemical and electrical hazards requires
special attention. Both types must be inspected often for:
– Holes that could allow a hazardous chemical or electrical current
to reach the skin.
- Worn or abraded places where the protective material may be
thin
- Nails or other metal objects imbedded in the soles or heels.
- Discoloration, cracks, cuts, swelling, or other signs of damage to
the material.
- Broken or missing fasteners used to close the top of the boot.

• When cleaning and decontaminating safety footwear, follow the

manufacturers’ recommendations.
Type of Respiratory Protection for the
following Respiratory Hazards

Dust
Mist
Vapors and Gases
Fumes
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
 Inspection and Maintenance
• All respirators must be properly stored, and left
in their natural shape.
• Regular and thorough inspection of all types of
respirators is important. These gloves should
be inspected carefully for:
- Punctures, tears, cracks or abrasions on face piece.
- Changes in the texture of the material, such as
swelling, softening, hardening, or sticky spots.
- Worn or damaged headbands
 Limitations of PPE

• The type of PPE used for a specific hazard

• Fit of the PPE

• Test, storage and maintenance of PPE