PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)General Provisions:Every employer shall, at his own expense, furnish his workers PPE whenever necessary by reason of the hazardous nature of work that may cause injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body.(OSHS; Rule 1080.01)PPE shall be of the approved design & construction (per OSHS & OSHA /ANSI) appropriate for the exposure & work to be performed, the employer shall be responsible for the adequacy & proper maintenance of PPE used in his workplace.
The employer shall be responsible for the adequacy and proper maintenance of personal protective equipment used in his workplace
No person shall be subjected or exposed t a hazardous environment condition without protection.Types of personal protective equipmentEYES AND FACE PROTECTIONRESPIRATORY PROTECTIONHEAD PROTECTIONHAND AND ARM PROTECTIONHEARING PROTECTIONHAIR PROTECTIONSAFETY SHOESSAFETY BELTS, LIFE LINES AND SAFETY NETS
1. EYE AND FACE PROTECTIONHAZARD:1. Flying Objects2. Liquids 3. Injurious Radiation4. Glare or Combination or these hazardsRequirements in choosing PPE (minimum requirements)Provide adequate protection against the particular hazard for which they are deigned or intended toComfortable for useFit snug and shall not unduly interfere with the movements of the user4. durable, easily cleaned and capable of being disinfected5. Be kept clean and in good condition6. Be of approved type.
Safety glassesThe most widely used type of eye protection similar to regular glasses, though much stronger and more resistant to impact and heat. Equipped with side shields for extra protection.
GogglesSurrounds the eye area, they give you more protection in situations where you might encounter splashing liquids, fumes, vapors, powders, dusts, and mists. They must indicate that they are chemical splash goggles to be worn for that purpose.
Face shieldsFace shields offer you full face protection and are often used around operations which expose you to molten metal, chemical splashes, or flying particles. Many face shields can be used while wearing a hard hat.
NOTE: You should always wear safety glasses or goggles when using a face shield for added protection. Face shields alone are NOT considered adequate eye protection.
Welding helmets and gogglesWelding helmets provide both face and eye protection. Welding helmets/goggles use special absorptive lenses that filter the intense light and radiant energy that is produced during welding operations. As with face shields, safety glasses or goggles should be worn when using a welding helmet.
Contact lensYou may not wear your contacts while using a full face respirator.Wear your contacts with caution if you work in areas where you might be exposed to fumes, dusts, powders, vapors, chemical splashes, molten metals, or intense heat, light or glare-- some chemicals can react with contacts and cause permanent injury.
If you get anything under your contacts, take time to remove and clean them. Follow your eye doctor's instructions for cleaning and caring for your contacts.
It is wise to keep an extra pair of contacts or a pair of glasses handy in case you should lose or damage one of your contacts while you are working.
2. RESPIRATORY PROTECTIONHAZARDSHarmful dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes and sprays
PROPER SELECTION- Identify Hazard- Evaluate the Hazards- Choose appropriate PPE
Types of respirators1. Air-supplying respirators-supply the wearer with fresh air from an alternative source -SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus)
2. Air purifying respirators- remove contaminants by passing the breathing air through a purifying element
3. Filter Mask - Most common type and most readily available type of respirator. Most are disposable and used only for single usage.NOTE: Do not use filter apparatus for confined spaces or low oxygen areas. They do not and never supply fresh air
3. HEAD PROTECTION HAZARDS: Impact penetration, falling and flying objects, blows, electric shock and burns
1.Reference: ANSI-Z89.12. 3 CLASSESCLASS ACLASS BCLASS C3. Provision of Chinstrap4. Total weight of complete hard hats shall not be more than .45kg (16 ounces)4. Never paint5. Never place anything inside while using it6. Wash it regularlyCLASS-A HARD HATSClass A hard hats are designed to: - Protect you from falling objects; and - Protect you from electrical shocks up to 2,200 volts.- Also called as class G (General purposes)
CLASS-B HARD HATSClass B hard hats are designed to: - Protect you from falling objects; and - Protect you from electrical shocks up to 20,000 volts.- Also called class E (Electrical purpose)
CLASS-C HARD HATS- Protect you from falling objects; - DO NOT protect you from electrical shocks; and - DO NOT protect you from corrosive substances
BUMP CAPSBump caps are made from lightweight plastic and are designed to protect you from bumping your head on protruding objects. Bump caps DO NOT: - Use a suspension system; - Protect you from falling objects; or - Protect you from electrical shocks.WARNING: You should never substitute a bump cap for a hard hat.
4. HAND AND ARM PROTECTIONHAZARDS: Handling sharp edges, abrasive object, hot metals, and corrosive substances & performing electrical works
TYPES:Ordinary Working Hand GlovesChemical Hand GlovesElectrical Hand GlovesWelding Gloves
TYPES OF GLOVESMetal mesh gloves resist sharp edges and prevent cuts.
Leather gloves shield your hands from rough surfaces.Vinyl and neoprene gloves protect your hands against toxic chemicals.
Rubber gloves protect you when working around electricity.
Padded cloth gloves protect your hands from sharp edges, slivers, dirt, and vibration.
Heat resistant gloves protect your hands from heat and flames.Latex disposable gloves are used to protect your hands from germs and bacteria.Lead-lined gloves are used to protect your hands from radiation sources.
5. HEARING PROTECTIONUse to reduce (attenuate) noise levelsUse when noise level is above 90 dBTypes:Ear plugsEar muffs
Decibels (dB) Examples0The quietest sound you can hear30 Whisper, quiet library60Normal conversation, sewing machine, typewriter70-80 Television90Lawnmower, shop tools, truck traffic, 8 hours per day is the maximum exposure100 Chainsaw, pneumatic drill, snowmobile115 Sandblasting, loud rock concert, auto horn140 Gun muzzle blast, jet engine, Causes pain29
6. HAIR PROTECTIONRULE 1084.02 (OSHS)All persons with long hair employed around machinery shall completely cover their hair with well fitting caps or other equivalent protection.Caps shall be of material not easily flammable and sufficiently durable to withstand regular laundering, disinfecting and cleaning.
7. SAFETY SHOES/FOOTWEAR HAZARDS- impact, electrical charge, protruding nails, watereg. Safety shoes, Safety boots etc.TYPESCONDUCTIVE SHOES1.1 Use to reduce the possibility of friction sparks in locations where a fire or explosion hazard exists.1.2 Use in hazardous locations where the floors are nonconductive & grounded.1.3 Use for jobs such as cleaning tanks that have contained gasoline or other volatile hydrocarbons.
2. FOUNDRY SHOES2.1 Used when the workers are exposed to splashes of molten metals.
3. ELECTRICAL HAZARD SHOES 3.1 Are intended to minimize hazards resulting from contact w/ electric current.
4. RUBBER BOOTS4.1 Used for areas in contact in concrete or for concrete pouring works
Note: All safety shoes have replacement periods of 6 months to one year
PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR
Steel toe footwear protects your toes from falling objects and from being crushed.
Metatarsal footwear have special guards that run from your ankle to your toes and protect your entire foot.
Reinforced sole footwear have metal reinforcement that protects your foot from punctures.
Latex/Rubber footwear resists chemicals and provides extra traction on slippery surfaces.
PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR
PVC footwear protects your feet against moisture and improves traction.
Butyl footwear protects against most ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, acids, salts, and alkalies.
Vinyl footwear resists solvents, acids, alkalies, salts, water, grease, and blood.
Nitrile footwear resists animal fats, oils, and chemicals.
PROTECTIVE FOOTWEARAlways talk with your supervisor or safety manager about the type of footwear you should be using on your job.
Electrostatic dissipating footwear conducts static electricity to floors that are grounded.
Electrical hazard footwear are insulated with tough rubber to prevent shocks and burns from electricity.
Disposable footwear includes shower slippers, clear polyethylene and nonwoven booties used in dust free work areas.
8. SAFETY BELTS, LIFELINES AND SAFETY BELTSRULE 1086.01 (OSHS)a. Workmen working in unguarded surface above open pits or tanks, steep slopes, moving machinery and similar locations , or working from unguarded surfaces six(6) meters (20 ft.) or more above water or ground , temporary or permanent floor platform , scaffold construction or where otherwise exposed to the possibility of falls hazardous to life or limb , shall be secured by safety belts and life lines. In situations where safety belts and life lines in guarded platforms and scaffolds or temporary floors are not feasible , safety nets shall be provided and installed.
(b) Window washers or cleaners working outside buildings six(6) meter (20ft) or more above the ground or other surfaces unless protected from falling by other means, shall use safety belts attached to suitable anchors.
(c) Working entering a sewer, flue, duct, or other similarly confined places shall be provided and required to wear safety belts with life lines attached and held by another person stationed at the opening ready to respond to agreed signals.
(d) Workers who are required to climb and work on top of poles six(6) meters shall use safety belts. On top of structures where there is no place to strap a safety belt, a messenger line shall be installed for strapping the safety belt or life line.
Safety belts/full body harnessShall be made of chromed tanned leather, linen or cotton webbing At least 11.5cm(4 inch) wide and 0.65cm (1/4 inch ) thick and of sufficient strength to support a weight of 114 kgs (250lbs) without breaking
Life lines(1) Shall be made of good quality manila rope at least 1.9cm(3/4 inch) diameter (2) If made of nylon at least 1.27cm( inch) diameter(3) Shall be of sufficient strength to support a weight of 1140 kgs (2500lbs) without breaking.
Safety NetsShall not be less than 0.94 cm.(3/8 in.) diameter mesh ropes and not less than 1.90 cm.(3/4 in.) diameter border ropes (perimeter) made of manila rope or other materials that can absorb the impact of a falling body equally as nets fabricated from manila rope of the dimensions specified. The mesh shall be arranged not to exceed 15.25 cm. (6 in.) on centers positively and securely attached to avoid wear at each crossing point and at points of contact with the border.(2) Shall be equipped with adequately padded thimbler sockets or equivalent means of attachments. Supports and anchorages shall be sufficient size and strength and beyond the area of possible fall and supported at sufficient heights to prevent sagging to any solid object beneath when cushioning the fall of a worker.
STRATEGY IN PURCHASING OF PPE
Ask suppliers (as many as possible) to send current PPE prices and specifications.Compare the prices.Compare the quality.Compare the availability of supply.Select the best.PPE should be tested by an accredited agencyOSHC.Random testing.Testing CertificateTo be provided by suppliers.CompileStudy/benchmark PPE replacement period.PPE TestingPolicySelection of proper PPEPurchasing of PPEProper trainingMaintenance & InspectionPPE replacement periodEnforcementRecognized list of PPE suppliersWho pays for PPESafety PromotionDisciplinary actionEffective PPE ProgramconclusionAlways use the proper PPE for the proper hazard or workplace, too much PPE can still cause accident without proper caution.
