Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Oregon OSHA Online Course 203

This material is for training purposes only. Its purpose is to inform Oregon employers of best practices in occupational safety and health and general Oregon OSHA compliance requirements. This material is not a substitute for any provision of the Oregon Safety Employment Act or any standards issued by Oregon OSHA. For more information on this online course and other OR-OSHA online training, visit the Online Course Catalog.

II. General. Personal protective equipment and devices should be used only when it is impossible or impractical to eliminate a hazard or control it at its source through engineering design. Wearing personal protective equipment does not eliminate the hazardous condition. Every effort will be made to first eliminate the hazardous condition through engineering and/or administrative control strategies. If it is not possible or feasible to eliminate hazardous conditions, personal protective equipment will be used to establish a barrier between the exposed employee and the hazard to reduce the probability and severity of an injury.

III. Responsibility and accountability.

A. Managers are responsible to ensure supervisors conduct worksite/task analyses to identify hazardous conditions that may or may not be eliminated through engineering or administrative controls. In those tasks that expose employees to hazardous conditions which cannot be eliminated through engineering or administrative controls, managers will implement and monitor this Plan to ensure area supervisors are properly training, supervising and enforcing PPE safety rules.

B. Supervisors are responsible, if directed, to carry out the provisions of this plan. They will:

1. Conduct worksite/task analysis initially and as needed to assess the need for personal protective equipment. Sources of hazards include:

a. Hazards from impact/motion, high/low temperatures, chemicals, materials, radiation, fall objects, sharp objects, rolling or pinching objects, electrical hazards, and workplace layout.

2. Certify in writing the tasks evaluated, hazards found, and actions recommended: Engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE.

3. Select appropriate PPE. If a task exposes an employee to hazards which can not be eliminated through engineering or administrative controls, the supervisor will identify and select PPE suitable for the specific task performed, conditions present, and frequency and duration of exposure.

a. Supervisors are encouraged to take advantage of the services provided by Oregon OSHA consultants, our workers’ compensation insurer consultants, private consultants and PPE suppliers for expert assistance in selecting PPE.

b. Supervisors should invite exposed employees to participate in PPE selection. Employees need to give feedback to the supervisor about the fit, comfort, and suitability of the PPE being selected.

4. Train exposed employees before they are assigned to the hazardous task.

a. Training should include:

(1 When PPE is necessary;
(2 What PPE is necessary;
(3 How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE;
(4 The limitations of the PPE; and
(5 The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE.

b. After the employee(s) demonstrate correct use, care, and disposal procedures of the PPE, the supervisor and employee will certify completion of training.

5. Supervise employees on safe use and care of PPE. Supervisors will regularly monitor employees for correct use and care of PPE, and provide follow-up training if required to ensure each employee has adequate skill, knowledge, and ability to use PPE.

6. Enforce PPE safety rules. Supervisors will enforce PPE safety rules following provisions of the company progressive disciplinary procedures.

C. Employees. Employees are accountable to comply with PPE safety rules including:

1. The correct use and care of PPE.
2. Reporting changes in exposure to hazardous conditions that might require a follow-up analysis of the task for PPE.
3. Reporting and replacing defective PPE.

IV. Selection Guidelines.

A. Eye and Face Protection. Employees must use 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. Requirements for side protection, prescription lenses, filter lenses, and identification of the manufacturer are detailed in OAR 437, Division 2/I. Eye and Face PPE must comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989 or be demonstrated to be equally effective.

B. Head Protection. Employees must wear protective helmets when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from employee initiated impact or impact from falling or other moving objects. Protective helmets designed to reduce electrical shock hazards will be worn by each employee when near exposed electrical conductors which could contact the head. Helmets will comply with ANSI Z89.1-1986 or be equally effective.

C. Foot Protection. Employees must wear protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or from object piercing the sole, and where employees’ feet are exposed to electrical hazards. PPE for foot protection must comply with ANSI Z41.1991 or be equally effective.

D. Hand Protection. Employees must use appropriate hand protection when their 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. Supervisors must base the selection of hand protection on evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the specific tasks to be performed, conditions present, duration of use and the hazards and potential hazards identified.

E. Respiratory Protection. Employees will wear appropriate respiratory protection when adequate ventilation or substitution with non-toxic chemicals, etc., is not possible or feasible. Respirator protection must comply with ANSI Z288.2-1969 and provisions detailed in OAR 437, Division 2/I 1910.134.

F. Fall Protection. Fall protection must be provided when employees are exposed to (1) a vertical fall of ten feet or more over a lower level or (2) any height over dangerous equipment. Fall protection will consist of either passive or active fall protection. Fall protection must comply with ANSI A10.14-1991 and provisions detailed in OAR 437, Division 3, Construction and OAR 437-02-125.

G. Electrical Protection. Electrical protective equipment such as insulating blankets, mating, covers, line hoses, gloves, gloves and sleeves must be provided to employees who are exposed to electrical hazards. Electrical protective equipment will comply with the requirements in OAR 437, Division 2/I, 1910.137.

V. Monitoring.

A. Supervisors will monitor worksite tasks for changes in, or the introduction of new hazards. If new hazards are discovered, they will conduct a task analysis for appropriate PPE. A worksite analysis will be conducted at least annually for each task that requires employees to use PPE.

B. The safety committee will monitor the effectiveness of this Plan and make recommendations to management to improve the plan.

VI. Review.

Reviewed by ______________________________	Date ____________________
Approved by ______________________________	Date ____________________

Sample Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Test

(Supervisors should give this test after training the employee on the proper use and care of PPE. The supervisor should review the test and discuss any areas requiring additional training. When the supervisor is confident that the employee has an adequate knowledge and ability to properly use PPE associated with the job, the supervisor should certify training.)

1. List the type(s) of PPE required for your task.



2. What are the hazards you are being protected against for each type of PPE used in your job?



3. Describe procedures for the use and care of the PPE you are using.



4. What should you look for to determine the PPE you are using is in good working order?



5. What actions do you take when your PPE becomes defective?



Certification

I have personally trained __________________________________ and answered all questions pertaining to the proper use and care of PPE. I certify that he/she has adequate knowledge and ability to proper use and care for the PPE associated with his/her job.

_________________________________________ Supervisor’s Signature

_________________ Date

I have been adequately trained on the use and care of PPE to be used by me. My supervisor has answered all questions to my satisfaction and I understand he/she will be available for follow-up training if needed.

_________________________________________ Employee’s Signature

_________________ Date