Personal Protective Equipment

(PPE)

1
 Purpose of PPE

To protect employees from hazards

not eliminated from the workplace

2
 Protective Equipment
 Personal protective equipment
– Eyes
– Face
– Head
– Extremities
 Protective clothing
 Respiratory devices
 Protective shields and barriers

3
 Design and Condition
 Safe design and  Defective and damaged
construction for work equipment shall not be
performed used
 Sanitary and reliable  Must properly fit users
condition
– Provided
– Used
– Maintained
 Laundered
 Repaired
 Replaced

4
 Purchase of PPE

 The employer is normally responsible

for the cost of personal protective
equipment.

 PPE used by trades

may be an exception

5
 Protect Against Hazards
 Hazards  Capable of causing
– Physical injury or impairment in
– Chemical the function of any part
– Biological/Infectious of the body through
(routes of entry)
– Inhalation
– Skin absorption
– Ingestion
– Contact with skin and/or
eyes

6
 Required Implementation
 Engineering Control  Administrative Control
– Ventilation – Personal Hygiene
– Isolation – Maintenance
– Selected Equipment – Hand washing
– Redesign process or – Scheduled breaks
procedure – Assignment schedules

7
 Certified Hazard Assessment
 Prepared by
– Consultant
– VA Personnel
 Insert - date of
written hazard assessment
 Insert - how to obtain
a copy of the written hazard assessment
 Required by 29 CFR 1910.132d

8
 Overview of Hazard
Assessment
 Bloodborne  Shops
pathogens – Safety glasses
– Latex gloves – Safety shoes
– Gown – Hearing protection
– Safety glasses  Facilities
– Hand washing – Rubber gloves
 Handling trash – Non-slip shoes
– Rubber gloves – Safety glasses (when
– Safety shoes mixing detergents)

9
 Reassessment of Hazards

Facility safety officer is responsible to

reassess workplace hazards as necessary
by:
– Identifying and evaluating new equipment and
processes
– Reviewing accident records
– Re-evaluating the suitability of previously
selected PPE

10
Personal Protective Equipment
Program
 Defined by insert appropriate facility
policy
– Ordering
– Repair
– Maintenance
– Other requirements

11
 Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (29 CFR 1910)
 General Requirements -- 132
 Eye and Face Protection -- 133
 Respiratory Protection -- 134
 Head Protection -- 135
 Foot Protection -- 136
 Electrical Protection -- 137
 Hand Protection -- 138
 Hearing Protection -- 95
 Specialized Standards -- e.g., 1030

12
Eye and Face Protection
(29 CFR 1910.133)

13
 Hazards to Eyes/Face
 Physical  Biological/Infectious
– Flying Particles – Blood
– Molten Metal – Saliva
– Potentially Injurious – Semen
Light Radiation – Body Tissue
– Ultraviolet (UV) light – Wastes
 Chemical – Animal Tissue
– Gases or Vapors – Potentially Infectious
– Liquids Materials
– Acids or Caustics

14
 Safety Glasses
 Can be used with side shields (Required
if flying objects are present)
 Plastic
– Can fit over corrective lenses
– Can be worn alone
 Can accommodate most types of
prescriptive lenses

15
 Goggles
 Should fit face snugly (sealing entire eye
area)
 Specially-coated lenses or ventilation
holes may prevent fogging
 Anti-fogging materials can be used
 When removing goggles, tilt head down
so that debris on top of goggles does not
fall into eyes

16
Other Eye and Face Protection
 Face Shields  Sunglasses
– Worn for extremely – Provide protection against
hazardous jobs sun
– Worn with safety glasses or – Should filter 99 to 100
goggles percent UV
– Do not completely protect – Provide no protection
face against flying objects
 Hoods – Can reduce chances of
– Protect entire head and cataracts
face
– Can be worn with
respirators

17
Inspection and Maintenance of
Eye and Face Protection
 Must be kept clean
 Must be free of scratches and other defects that
may obstruct vision
 Must be disinfected
– Periodically, if used by same person
– After each use, if shared
 Headband should be replaced when slack,
worn, or dirty

18
 Eye Safety
 Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
for chemicals used
– Identify eye protection required
– Become familiar with emergency response procedures
 Contact Lenses
– Do NOT provide protection
– Should NOT be worn around chemicals or chemical
vapors

19
 Laser Eye Safety
 Follow guidance of laser manufacturer
 Wear safety glasses with filters that
protect against the wavelength of light
for the laser being used
 Partial reflections from Class IV lasers
can cause permanent eye damage

20
 Head Protection
(29 CFR 1910.135)

21
 Hazards to Head
 Falling or flying objects
 Electrical conductors
 Contamination from bloodborne
pathogens
 Sunburn and sunstroke
 Cold temperatures

22
 Types and Classes of
Head Protection
 Types of protective hats
– Type 1, Helmets - full brim (at least 1.25”)
– Type 2, Brimless helmets with peak extending
forward from the crown
 Classes of industrial head protection
– Class A, General service - limited voltage protection
– Class B, Utility service - high voltage protection
– Class C, Special service - no voltage protection

23
 Hard Hats (Class A)
 Hard exterior shell
 Shock-absorbing lining
– Headband
– Crown straps
 Protects against impact hazards
 Used in construction

24
Electrical Bump Hats (Class B)
 Protects against impact and penetration
AND against high-voltage shock or burn
 Can be used where there is a possibility
of bumping against a fixed object
 Used by electrical workers
 Sometimes used in construction

25
 Other Head Protection
 Safety Hat or Cap  Hat or Cap
(Class C)
– Protects against
impacts
– Provides lightweight
comfort
– Provides no electrical
protection
– Protects against
exposure to sun (4
inch brim)
– Protects against
exposure to cold (ear
flaps)
– Generally not
considered PPE
26
 Specialized Head Protection
 Hairnets
– Food service employees
– Sanitation and cleanliness
 Hoods
– Can be used in extremely
hazardous situations
– Can be used with
respirators
– Can provide eye and face
protection
 Surgical Caps
– Infection control and
cleanliness
– Worn during medical
procedures that involve
large amounts of blood
 Autopsies
 Orthopedic surgery
27
Inspection and Maintenance of
Head Protection
 Damage
– Dents
– Cracks
– Penetration
– Abuse
– Mutilation
– Other damage that might
reduce the degree of
protection provided
 Visually inspect daily
 Clean periodically
 May adversely affect
protection provided
– Paint
– Sunlight
– Extreme temperatures
28
 Foot Protection
(29 CFR 1910.136)

29
 Foot Hazards and Protection
 Hazards to Feet
– Falling or rolling
objects
– Objects that pierce the
sole
– Electrical exposures
– Slipping
 Foot Protection
– Safety Shoes
– Slip Resistant Soles
– Shoe Covers
– Rubber or Synthetic
Boots
– Leather Work Boots
30
 Safety Shoes
 Steel-reinforced toe (protects foot from
being pierced or crushed)
 Puncture-resistant or heat-resistant soles
(optional)
 Metal-free non-conductive materials
(working around exposed electrical
conductors)

31
 Other Foot Protection
 Boots  Shoe Covers
– Rubber/Synthetic – May be required for
 May be required when some medical
working around procedures
chemicals
 Autopsies
 Slip-resistant Soles
– Leather – OSHA recommends
 Recommended for – Will reduce the
outdoor maintenance number of injuries
activities resulting from slips,
 Avoid wearing around trips, or falls
chemicals

32
Electrical Protection
(29 CFR 1910.137)

33
 Electrical Protective
Equipment (Insulated Rubber)
 Required when exposed  Maintained in a safe and
to electrical hazards reliable condition
– Blankets  Cleaned as needed
– Matting  Requires periodic
– Covers electrical testing
– Line hose
– Gloves
– Sleeves

34
 Inspections
 Before each day’s use
 Following any incident
that caused damage
 Insulating properties
cannot be degraded
 Insulating equipment
failing to pass inspections
or electrical tests may not
be used unless specific
requirements are met
 Cannot use equipment
with:
– Hole, tear, puncture, or cut
– Ozone cutting or ozone
checking
– Embedded foreign objects
– Swelling, softening,
hardening, stickiness, or
inelasticity
35
 Storage
 Location and manner of
storage must protect
from:
– Light
– Temperature extremes
– Excessive humidity
– Ozone
– Other injurious substances
and conditions

36
 Hand Protection
(29 CFR 1910.138)

37
 Hand Protection
 Provided to protect
against
– Absorption of harmful
substances
– Severe cuts or lacerations
– Severe abrasions
– Punctures
– Chemical or thermal burns
– Harmful temperature
extremes
 Types of hand protection
– Machine guards
– Electric eyes
– Push sticks
– Controls requiring two
hands
– Gloves

38
 Glove Selection Criteria
 Selection based on
evaluation of
performance
characteristics
– Task(s) to be performed
– Conditions present
– Duration of use
– Hazards and potential
hazards identified
 Selection based on
individual
characteristics
– Grip
– Dexterity
– Flexibility
– Hand size
– Glove length
 Too tight - may rip
 Too loose - affects grip
and comfort

39
 General Purpose Gloves
 Cotton  Protect against
– Can be specially – Abrasion
coated – Cuts
– Allows handling of – Punctures
delicate components – Snags
– Absorbs oil – Temperature extremes
 Leather
– Rough surfaces
– Heat
– Sparks

40
 Cut-resistant Gloves
 Designed for use with  Protect against
sharp knives and – Cuts
blades – Abrasion
 May contain  Some may protect
– Cut-resistant yarns against punctures
– Composite materials
– Metal mesh (Required
of most meatcutting
and de-boning
operations)

41
 Special Purpose Gloves
 Surgical  Protect against
 Examination specific hazards
 Firefighters – HIV/Hepatitis
 Smelters
– Heat and burns
– Patient protection
 Welders
 Clean rooms

42
 Latex Gloves
 Natural  Synthetic
– Required for surgery – Cannot be used for
– Can be used for surgery
examinations – Can be used for
– Label NOT required examinations
– Hypoallergenic gloves – Label NOT required
NOT tested for natural
rubber proteins
(source of latex
allergies)

43
 Chemical-resistant Gloves
 Must be selected for the Protect against
specific chemical used – Dermatitis
(Consult manufacturer’s – Chemical burns
guidance) – Cancer
 Non-porous  Resist
 Selection based on – Penetration
– Permeation
– Potential toxic effects of
chemicals used
– Degradation
– Likely routes of entry
– Degree of hazard

44
 Penetration
 Natural rubber  Synthetic rubber
– Protects against resists
liquids that mix with – Oils
water – Greases
– Provides no protection – Acids
against petroleum or – Caustics
oil-based solvents – Many petroleum
products

45
 Permeation
 Must consult  Often coated with
manufacturer’s – Polyvinyl chloride
technical data for (PVC)
specific chemical – Nitrile
used – Neoprene
 No protective barrier
– Latex
provides permeation
protection for all
chemicals

46
 Degradation
 Signs of degradation  Inspect before each
– Stiffer use
– More brittle – Rips
– Softer – Holes
– Weaker – Weak seams
 Major indication that – Imperfections
gloves should be
replaced

47
 Hand Safety
 Do NOT wear gloves that are damaged
 Clean off contaminants before you remove gloves
 Remove gloves safely
 Properly decontaminate and store gloves
 Monitor the condition of your gloves as you work
 Follow manufacturer’s guidance for maintenance and
storage
 Dispose of gloves properly

48
Skin Protection

49
 Hazards to Skin
 Hazards  Protections available
– Sunburn – Protective clothing
– Skin Cancer – Sunscreen
– Dermatitis – Insect repellent
– Poison ivy, oak, sumac – Scheduling of work
– Insect and animal – Ointments
bites

50
 Prevention of Sun Damage
 Avoid the sun’s  Wear sunglasses
strongest rays (99 - 100% UV ray
(10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) protection)
 Wear protective  Always wear a
clothing sunscreeen with SPF
– Broad-brimmed hats of 15 or more
– Long pants  Avoid sunlamps,
– Long-sleeved shirts tanning beds, and
tanning parlors

51
Torso Protection

52
 Hazards to Torso
 Hazards
– Heat
– Splashes from hot
metals and liquids
– Impacts
– Cuts
– Acids
– Radiation

53
 Types of Protection
 Options  Materials
– Vests – Fire retardant wool
– Jackets – Specially treated
– Aprons cotton
– Coveralls – Leather
– Full body suits – Rubberized fabrics
– Lead lined coverings – Disposable suits
– Gowns

54
 Lifting or Back Belts
 Must follow  Back belts can be
manufacturer’s obtained by
guidance contacting

55
Appropriate PPE for Exposure
to Bloodborne Pathogens
 Does NOT permit blood  Does NOT permit blood
or other potentially or other potentially
infectious materials to infectious materials to
pass through to reach
– Employee’s work – Skin
clothes – Eyes
– Employee’s street – Mouth
clothes – Other mucous
– Undergarments membranes
 Under normal conditions  For the duration of time
of use to be used

56
PPE for Bloodborne Pathogens
 Gloves  Surgical caps or hoods
 Gowns or aprons  Shoe covers or boots
 Laboratory coats  Clinic jackets
 Face shields or  Resuscitation bags
masks and eye  Pocket masks
protection  Other ventilation
 Goggles or glasses devices
with side shields
 Mouthpieces

57
Gloves Required for Exposure
to Bloodborne Pathogens
 When reasonably anticipated that employee
may have hand contact with
– Blood
– Other potentially infectious materials
– Mucous membranes
– Non-intact skin
 When performing vascular access procedures
 When handling or touching contaminated items
or surfaces

58
Hearing Protection
(29 CFR 1910.95)

59
 Hearing Protectors
 If exposed to 85 dB or  Must be worn if:
greater for eight-hour Duration Sound Level
TWA: (hours per day) (dBA)
– Hearing protection must be 8 90
available 6 92
– Hearing protection must be 4 95
worn if 3 97
 No baseline audiogram 2 100
has been established 1.5 102
 Hearing threshold has 1 105
changed an average of 10 0.5 110
dB or more at 2000, 0.25 or less 115
3000, or 4000 hertz in
either ear

60
 Locations Requiring
Noise Protection
 Building #  Building #
– Room ### – Insert appropriate
– Mechanical room locations
– Penthouse
 Building #
– Room ###  Building #
– Shop area – Insert appropriate
locations

61
 Types of Hearing Protectors
 Earplugs
– Lightweight
– Comfortable for long
periods of time
– Made of soft fibers or foam
(self-forming)
– Disposable or reusable
– Performed, pre-molded, or
custom molded
 Earmuffs
– Easily put on or removed
– Require entire ear to fit
inside cup (seal)
– May interfere with glasses
or goggles
– Can be designed for use
with hard hats
62
 General Considerations
 Proper initial fit required
 Must be used correctly
 Must receive training in the use and care of
hearing protectors provided
 Must be allowed to select hearing protectors
from a variety of suitable hearing protectors
provided by employer
 Must be replaced as necessary

63
 Hearing Safety
 If you have to shout to talk to someone within 2
or 3 feet - Wear hearing protection
 Off-the-job activities (woodworking, shooting,
etc.) can hurt your hearing - Hearing
protection is recommended
 Never remove hearing protection in high noise
areas
 Do NOT share hearing protection with others

64
Respiratory Protection
(29 CFR 1910.134)

65
 Hazards Requiring Respirators
 Protect against breathing  Healthcare-related
air contaminated with exposures that may
harmful: require respirators:
– Dusts – Tuberculosis
– Fogs – Ethylene oxide
– Fumes – Some chemicals used for
– Mists disinfection or
– Gases preservation (morgues)
– Smokes – Animal fecal matter
– Sprays  Other related exposures
– Vapors – Asbestos
– Infectious biological agents – Paint fumes

66
 Respirators
 Types of Facepieces  Types of Respirators
– Half-face – Air Purifying
– Full-face  N95 (Tuberculosis)
– Hoods  Dust, fume, mist
 Powered air purifying
– Air Supplied
 Self-contained
breathing apparatus
 Air Line

67
 General Considerations
 Written program  Certification by NIOSH
required  Selection in accordance
 Medical examination in with ANSI Z88.2
accordance with ANSI  Fit testing required in
Z88.6 accordance with ANSI
 Annual follow-up Z88.10
 Cleaning and
disinfection
 Proper storage

68
 Emergency Response
(29 CFR 1910.120)
 Facility Emergency  Level A - Encapsulating
Response Plan addresses chemical protective suit
PPE if:  Level B - Respiratory
– An industrial facility protection
intends to use the medical
center, if there is an
emergency
– Medical center provides
support during responses
to natural phenomenon

69
 Summary
 PPE must
– Protect against the hazard
– Protect the route of entry
– Be maintained in a safe
and sanitary condition
– Be used properly
 PPE is available by
contacting
– Your supervisor
– Facility safety office
personnel
 If you have questions
concerning PPE
provided contact
– Your supervisor
– Facility safety personnel
 If you have questions
concerning the health
effects associated with
PPE contact employee
health personnel
70