Personal Protective Equipment - Whats it all about? Written by: Gene Herbest Made available by .

Personal Protective Equipment - What’s it all about?

Written by: Gene Herbest

Made available by www.nationalsafetyinc.com

REFERENCES

• AR 385 Series• AR 11-34• TB Med Series• DA Pam 385-1• 29 CFR 1910• ANSI Z41-1991

Personal Protective Equipment

• Definition: Devices used to protect workers from injury or illness resulting from contact with chemical , radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards (AR 385 Series & OSHA)

• The need for PPE and the type of PPE used is based on hazard present; each situation “must be” evaluated independently (Risk Assessment)

Some Caveats

• PPE is used as a last resort

• The use of PPE signifies that the hazard could not be controlled by other methods, such as:– administrative controls (i.e., shift rotation)– engineering or industrial hygiene controls

Engineering & IH Controls

• Design (remove hazard from process)

• Substitution (of less hazardous materials)

• Process modification (how and where)

• Isolate the process or the worker

• Wet methods for dust reduction

• Local exhaust ventilation (at source)

• Dilution ventilation (area)

• Good housekeeping

Back to the caveats...

• The use of PPE signals that the hazard still exists in the workplace

• Unprotected workers in the same area will be exposed

• Failure of PPE means that the worker “will be” exposed

• PPE can be combined with other controls

So, what is it???

PPE• Head protection• Eye and Face protection• Hearing protection• Respiratory protection• Arm and Hand protection• Foot and Leg protection• Protective clothing

Head Protection

Hard Hats work by dissipating force

Eye Protection

Eye Protection• Common Uses:

– Impact Protection• Grinding

• Drilling

– Chemical Hazards• Parts washer

• Spray Painting

– Radiation Protection• welder’s goggles

• laser goggles

• UV

• Infrared

Eye Protection - Selection

• Safety glasses are used to protect the eyes from flying objects (no face protection)

• Chemical splash goggles protect against fluids by sealing tightly against the face

• Face shields provide highest level of protection

Face Shield - the highest level of face protection

Hearing Protection

Hearing Protection Basics

• Noise induced hearing loss can occur with exposures >90 dBA

• A hearing conservation program becomes a requirement at exposures >85dBA

• Higher levels of noise exposure have shorter allowable exposure times

Noise levels versus Duration

Sound Level (dBA)

90

92

95

100

105

110

115

Exposure (hours)

8

6

4

2

1

0.5

0.25

Hearing Protection

• Rule of Thumb - if you cannot carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice with someone at arm’s length, you are likely near 90dBA

• All hearing protection devices should have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) = # of decibels they will reduce noise levels

• Be conservative when using NRRs

A couple examples

• Example 1– Ear plugs with NRR of 25 dBA– exposure = 105 dBA– 105 minus 25 = 80 dB therefore okay

• Example 2– same plugs– exposure = 125 dBA– 125 minus 25 = 100 dB not acceptable; must be

below 90 dB

Hearing Protection - Types

• Ear Plugs - less expensive, disposable, good ones have fairly high NRRs - sometimes difficult to tell if workers are wearing them

• Ear Muffs - more expensive, more durable, typically higher NRRs than plugs, more obvious

• Can be used together in very high noise areas

Arm and Hand Protection

Gloves - Typical Uses

• Chemical protection

• Biohazard protection

• Abrasion protection

• Friction protection

• Protection from extremes of heat and cold

Gloves - more caveats

• No glove is good against all hazards

• Gloves have a finite lifespan and must be periodically replaced

• When donning gloves, examine them for signs of tears, cracks, holes and dry rot

• Hands should always be washed after removing gloves

Handwashing and gloves

Foot and Leg Protection

Protective Footwear• Steel-toed footwear, preferably with metatarsal

guards, is used to protect feet from crushing injuries caused by heavy objects

• All safety footwear shall comply with ANSI Z41-1991

• Rubber boots are often used to protect feet from exposure to liquids

• Chaps or leggings are used in certain applications (i.e., using a chainsaw)

Other Protective Clothing

Other Protective Clothing

• Used to protect the work uniform from hazards in the workplace

• Often hazard specific

• To be considered effective, protective clothing must prevent the contaminant from reaching the clothing or skin of the worker!

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory Protection

• Protects users by removing harmful materials that may enter the body via the lungs

• Inhalation is one of the quickest, most efficient ways to introduce “lethal” levels of hazardous materials into the body

Respiratory System

Respirators - types

• Air Purifying Respirators (APR)– Half-face– Full Face

• Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

• Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Respirators

• Does not include:– surgical masks– dust masks

• N-95 respirators are a special class of respiratory protection primarily used in the health care field

Respirators - A Big Caveat!!!

• workers “should not” wear a respirator unless they have been medically cleared to do so!

• This clearance may take the form of a questionnaire, physical examination, pulmonary function testing, chest X-Ray, or a combination of the above

Why?

• Respirators put additional resistance against the respiratory system of the wearer

• workers with undiagnosed respiratory system or cardiovascular problems could trigger a serious medical problem (respiratory distress, asthma, heart attack, etc.) by using a respirator

Respirators are incompatible with facial hair

Facial hair…

• The respirator cannot form a tight seal against the cheeks and chin, resulting in air leaks which can allow airborne contaminants to be inhaled

• Specially designed PAPR hoods can be used for workers with facial hair

• small amounts of facial hair that fit inside of the respirator facepiece are acceptable

PPE Usage

• PPE that is required to safely conduct work should be purchased/ordered by the work section and/or unit

• Employers are responsible for ensuring that PPE is “available and worn”

• workers “are” responsible for wearing & maintaining PPE, and reporting worn or defective PPE to their Employer

Recap

• PPE is hazard specific; the hazards of each workplace and task “must be” evaluated (risk assessment)

• PPE is used as a last resort when the hazard cannot be controlled by other methods

• Employers “are” responsible to ensure it is available and worn; workers must wear and maintain their PPE

Recap

• PPE is only considered effective if it prevents the contaminant from reaching the worker

• Respirators should not be worn by workers unless they have been medically cleared to do so

Dressed for Success!

For additional information on PPE...

• Contact your Employer

• Or contact National Safety, Inc. directly

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Asking me to overlook a simple safety violation would be asking me to

compromise my entire attitude toward the value of “your” life!

QUESTIONS?