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What is PPE

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements and Usage ==========================================================

This document outlines the requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) and its proper usage to ensure worker safety and regulatory compliance. It addresses hazard assessment, PPE selection, training, maintenance, and related legal obligations.

Hazard Assessment and Equipment Selection

Employers are required to assess the workplace to identify hazards that necessitate the use of PPE. This assessment should identify potential hazards like chemical exposures, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants that could cause injury through absorption, inhalation, or physical contact. Based on this assessment, employers must select and ensure that employees use appropriate PPE that protects them from the identified hazards. [4] [5]

The selection of PPE should consider all potential routes of hazard to employees, including inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, and eye or skin contact. The performance of PPE materials in providing a barrier to these hazards is also critical, as the amount of protection provided is material-hazard specific. [3]

Types of Personal Protective Equipment

A variety of PPE is available to protect workers from different hazards:

  • Eye and Face Protection: Safety glasses, goggles, face shields protect against flying particles, chemical splashes, and radiant energy.
  • Head Protection: Hard hats protect against impact, penetration, and electrical shock.
  • Hand Protection: Gloves protect against cuts, abrasions, burns, and chemical exposure.
  • Foot Protection: Safety shoes and boots protect against impact, compression, and punctures; may also provide protection against electrical hazards or chemical exposure.
  • Body Protection: Vests, aprons, coveralls, and full body suits protect against cuts, abrasions, chemical splashes, and extreme temperatures.
  • Hearing Protection: Earplugs and earmuffs protect against noise exposure.

Specific examples of PPE and their use include:

  • Workers handling rough, sharp-edged, or abrasive materials should wear suitable hand protection to prevent lacerations, punctures, burns, and bruises.
  • When exposed to hazards such as radiation, alkalies, acids, abrasives, and temperature extremes, appropriate head, body, and hand protection must be worn.
  • Employees working over or near water where a drowning hazard exists must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or buoyant work vest.

Proper Use and Maintenance of PPE

To ensure PPE is effective, it must be used and maintained correctly:

  • Defective or damaged PPE must not be used.
  • PPE must be of safe design and construction for the work being performed.
  • PPE must be properly fitted to each employee.
  • A regular system of inspection and maintenance of PPE must be maintained.

Employees must be trained on how to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE, as well as its limitations, proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal. Retraining is necessary when changes in the workplace or types of PPE render previous training obsolete, or when an employee's knowledge or use of PPE is inadequate. [2]

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have several key responsibilities regarding PPE:

  • Ensuring workers use appropriate PPE.
  • Providing instruction on what PPE is needed and how to maintain and clean it.
  • Educating and training workers on the proper use of PPE.
  • Providing approved PPE at no cost to the worker (with some exceptions).
  • Ensuring PPE is available at the work site before work begins.
  • Storing PPE in a clean, secure, and readily accessible location.

Employers must also verify that a workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying the evaluation, and the date(s) of the assessment. [2]

Payment for PPE

Generally, employers are required to provide and pay for PPE necessary to protect employees from workplace hazards. However, there are exceptions:

  • Employers are not required to pay for non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear, provided that these items can be worn off the job site.
  • Employers are not required to pay for everyday clothing, ordinary weather gear, or upgraded/personalized PPE that exceeds requirements, provided adequate PPE is offered at no cost.

The employer must pay for replacement PPE, except when the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE. [7]

Hierarchy of Controls and PPE

PPE is considered a lower-level control method in the hierarchy of controls. It should be used as an interim measure before more effective controls are implemented, where other controls are not available or adequate, during activities like maintenance and repair, or during emergency situations. [1]

A comprehensive strategy involves identifying all hazards, conducting risk assessments, considering all possible control methods from the hierarchy of controls, integrating various approaches, and evaluating the controls frequently. [1]

Levels of Protection (A, B, C, D)

Personal protective equipment is divided into four categories (A, B, C, and D) based on the degree of protection afforded. Level A provides the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection and includes a positive pressure, full face-piece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA, a totally-encapsulating chemical-protective suit, and chemical-resistant gloves and boots. [6] [6]

Compliance and Regulations

Compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines is essential. Employers must stay informed about specific PPE requirements in their jurisdiction, as regulations can vary. [1]

Training Requirements

Training is a critical component of PPE compliance. Employers must provide training to each employee required to use PPE, ensuring they understand:

  • When PPE is necessary.
  • What PPE is necessary.
  • How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE.
  • The limitations of the PPE.
  • The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE.

Employees must demonstrate an understanding of the training and the ability to use PPE properly before being allowed to perform work requiring its use. Retraining is required when changes in the workplace or PPE types occur, or when an employee's knowledge or skill is inadequate. [2]

Conclusion

Ensuring safety and compliance with regulations requires a comprehensive approach to PPE, including hazard assessment, proper selection, use, and maintenance of equipment, and thorough employee training. Employers must stay informed of their responsibilities and provide the necessary resources to protect their employees from workplace hazards.

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7 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Construction Safety and Health Standards (MIOSHA)

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# 1910.120 - APPENDIX B GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE LEVELS OF PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE GEAR This appendix sets forth information about personal protective equipment (PPE) protection levels which may be used to assist employers in complying with the PPE requirements of this section. As required by the standard, PPE must be selected which will protect employees from the specific hazards which they are likely to encounter during their work on-site. Selection of the appropriate PPE is a complex process which should take into consideration a variety of factors. Key factors involved in this process are identification of the hazards, or suspected hazards; their routes of potential hazard to employees (inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, and eye or skin contact); and the performance of the PPE materials (and seams) in providing a barrier to these hazards. The amount of protection provided by PPE is material hazard specific. That is, protective equipment materials will protect well against some hazardous substances and poorly, or not at all, against others. In many instances, protective equipment materials cannot be found which will provide continuous protection from the particular hazardous substance. In these cases the breakthrough time of the protective material should exceed the work durations. Other factors in this selection process to be considered are matching the PPE to the employee's work requirements and task-specific conditions. The durability of PPE materials, such as tear strength and seam strength, should be considered in relation to the employee's tasks. The effects of PPE in relation to heat stress and task duration are a factor in selecting and using PPE. In some cases layers of PPE may be necessary to provide sufficient protection, or to protect expensive PPE inner garments, suits or equipment. The more that is known about the hazards at the site, the easier the job of PPE selection becomes. As more information about the hazards and con…

[2] OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training (NCDOL)

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# 29 CFR Subpart I-Personal Protective Equipment # 1910.132-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Scope/Application: Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. ## STANDARD HIGHLIGHTS - Programs, Plans and Procedures-hazard assessment - Inspections and Tests-initial hazard assessment - Recordkeeping-hazard assessment - Certification-written certification - Training and Communications-initial and refresher training, communicate selection ## Programs, Plans and Procedures 1910.132(d)(1)-The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present. ## Inspections and Tests 1910.132(d)(1)-The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present. Recordkeeping 1910.132(d)(2)-The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment. ## Certification 1910.132(d)(2)-The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written c…

[3] General Industry Safety and Health Standards (MIOSHA)

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# 1910.132 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1910.132(a) Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. ## 1910.132(b) Employee-owned equipment. Where employees provide their own protective equipment, the employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance, and sanitation of such equipment. ## 1910.132(c) Design. All personal protective equipment shall be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed. 1910.132(d) Hazard assessment and equipment selection. 1910.132(d)(1) The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall: 1910.132(d)(1)(i) Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment; 1910.132(d)(1)(ii) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and, 1910.132(d)(1)(iii) Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. Note: Non-mandatory appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment. 1910.132(d)(2) The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of th…

[4] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA 29 CFR 1926) - 1926.65 App B - General Description and Discussion of the Levels of Protection and Protective Gear

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR # Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Part Number: 1926 - Part Number - Title: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction - Subpart: 1926 Subpart D - Subpart Title: Occupational Health and Environmental Controls Standard - Number: 1926.65 App B - Title: General Description and Discussion of the Levels of Protection and Protective Gear - GPO Source: e-CFR This appendix sets forth information about personal protective equipment (PPE) protection levels which may be used to assist employers in complying with the PPE requirements of this section. As required by the standard, PPE must be selected which will protect employees from the specific hazards which they are likely to encounter during their work on-site. Selection of the appropriate PPE is a complex process which should take into consideration a variety of factors. Key factors involved in this process are identification of the hazards, or suspected hazards; their routes of potential hazard to employees (inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, and eye or skin contact); and the performance of the PPE materials (and seams) in providing a barrier to these hazards. The amount of protection provided by PPE is material-hazard specific. That is, protective equipment materials will protect well against some hazardous substances and poorly, or not at all, against others. In many instances, protective equipment materials cannot be found which will provide continuous protection from the particular hazardous substance. In these cases the breakthrough time of the protective material should exceed the work durations. Other factors in this selection process to be considered are matching the PPE to the employee's work requirements and task-specific conditions. The durability of PPE materials, such as tear strength and seam strength, should be considered in relation to the employee's tasks. The effects Submit Feedback

[5] General Industry Safety and Health Standards (MIOSHA)

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Source excerpt

# 1910.132 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (cont.) ## 1910.132(f) Training. (cont.) - 1910.132(h) Payment for protective equipment. 1910.132(h)(1) Except as provided by paragraphs (h)(2) through (h)(6) of this section, the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, shall be provided by the employer at no cost to employees. - 1910.132(h)(2) The employer is not required to pay for non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (including steel- toe shoes or steel-toe boots) and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear, provided that the employer permits such items to be worn off the job-site. - 1910.132(h)(3) When the employer provides metatarsal guards and allows the employee, at his or her request, to use shoes or boots with built-in metatarsal protection, the employer is not required to reimburse the employee for the shoes or boots. - 1910.132(h)(4) The employer is not required to pay for: - 1910.132(h)(4)(i) The logging boots required by 29 CFR 1910.266(d)(1)(v); - 1910.132(h)(4)(ii) Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots; or 1910.132(h)(4)(iii) Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen. - 1910.132(h)(5) The employer must pay for replacement PPE, except when the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE. - 1910.132(h)(6) Where an employee provides adequate protective equipment he or she owns pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the employer may allow the employee to use it and is not required to reimburse the employee for that equipment. The employer shall not require an employee to provide or pay for his or her own PPE, unless the PPE is excepted by paragraphs (h)(2) through (h)(5) of this section. - 1910.132(h)(7) This paragraph (h) shall become effective on February 13, 2008. Em…

[6] Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 29 CFR 1910) - 1910.132 - General requirements.

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Source excerpt

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR # Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Part Number: 1910 - Part Number - Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Subpart: 1910 Subpart I - Subpart Title: Personal Protective Equipment Standard - Number: - 1910.132 - Title: General requirements. - GPO Source: e-CFR ## 1910.132(a) Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. ## 1910.132(b) Employee-owned equipment. Where employees provide their own protective equipment, the employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance, and sanitation of such equipment. ## 1910.132(c) Design. All personal protective equipment shall be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed. 1910.132(d) Submit Feedback

[7] Designing an Effective PPE Program

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# Designing an Effective PPE Program (cont.) ## How do I begin planning a protection strategy? (cont.) - protection of workers - compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, guidelines, codes, and similar requirements - compliance with internal company requirements - technical feasibility A good comprehensive strategy involves identifying all the hazards, conducting risk assessments, considering all possible control methods from the hierarchy of controls, integrating various approaches, and evaluating the controls frequently to make sure that the hazard continues to be controlled. ## When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be used? PPE is used to reduce or minimize the exposure or contact to harmful physical, chemical, ergonomic, or biological agents. Remember, a hazard is not "gone" when PPE is used, but the risk of injury may be reduced. For example, wearing hearing protection reduces the likelihood of hearing damage when the ear plugs or muffs are appropriate for the kind of noise exposure and when the PPE is used properly. However, using hearing protection does not eliminate the noise. PPE should only be used: - as an interim (short-term) measure before more effective controls are implemented; - where other controls are not available or adequate; - during activities such as maintenance, clean up, and repair where more effective controls are not feasible or adequate; - during emergency situations. ## What does the law say about who pays for personal protective equipment (PPE)? By law, workers must use personal protective equipment in the workplace when it is required. Employer responsibilities include making sure workers use the appropriate PPE, providing instruction on what PPE is needed and the maintenance and cleaning of the equipment, and educating and training workers on the proper use of PPE. In every jurisdiction, it is clear that the employer is responsible for making sure these requirements are met. However, the law i…

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