1. Personal Protective Equipment - What’s it all about?
Written by: Gene Herbest
Made available by

2. REFERENCES AR 385 Series AR 11-34 TB Med Series DA Pam 385-1
29 CFR 1910
ANSI Z

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. So, what is it???

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

9. Head Protection

10. Hard Hats work by dissipating force

12. Eye Protection

13. Eye Protection Common Uses: Impact Protection Chemical Hazards
Grinding
Drilling
Chemical Hazards
Parts washer
Spray Painting
Radiation Protection
welder’s goggles
laser goggles UV
Infrared

14. 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

15. Face Shield - the highest level of face protection

16. Hearing Protection

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. A couple examples Example 1 Example 2 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

21. 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

22. Arm and Hand Protection

23. Gloves - Typical Uses Chemical protection Biohazard protection
Abrasion protection
Friction protection
Protection from extremes of heat and cold

24. 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

25. Handwashing and gloves

26. Foot and Leg Protection

27. 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 Z
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)

28. Other Protective Clothing

29. 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!

30. Respiratory Protection

31. 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

32. Respiratory System

33. Respirators - types Air Purifying Respirators (APR)
Half-face
Full Face
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. Respirators are incompatible with facial hair

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. Dressed for Success!

43. For additional information on PPE...
Contact your Employer
Or contact National Safety, Inc. directly

44. 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!

45. QUESTIONS?