1. Personal Protective Equipment
Healthcare Workers
Slide Show Notes
Welcome to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training for healthcare workers. This session is for all employees required to wear personal protective equipment.
PPE is frequently the best available defense against job hazards that can cause injuries or health problems. That’s why you’re often assigned PPE and required to wear it.
Today, you’ll learn why using the right PPE for the job is so important. You’ll also learn about hazards that require PPE and how to select, use, and maintain your PPE so that it can always provide the protection you need.

2. Session Objectives You will be able to:
Recognize the importance of PPE
Identify job hazards that require PPE
Select appropriate PPE
Inspect and fit PPE properly
Remove and dispose of PPE safely
Maintain PPE in good, safe condition
Slide Show Notes
The main objective of this session is to provide you with the information you need to use PPE effectively to protect against job hazards. By the time the session is over, you will be able to:
Recognize the importance of PPE to your safety and health;
Identify job hazards that require the use of PPE;
Select appropriate PPE for the task you’re performing;
Inspect and fit your PPE properly;
Remove and dispose of PPE safely; and
Maintain PPE in good, safe condition.

3. What You Need to Know Why using assigned PPE is essential
Common healthcare hazards that require PPE
Types of PPE that could be necessary
Proper selection, inspection, use, and maintenance of PPE
When new or different PPE might be required
Slide Show Notes
During the session, we’ll discuss:
Why using assigned PPE is essential;
Common healthcare hazards that require PPE;
Types of PPE that could be necessary;
Proper selection, inspection, use, and maintenance of PPE; and
When new or different PPE might be required.

4. Why You Need to Wear Assigned PPE
You could face a variety of workplace hazards
Safety controls don’t always eliminate hazards
When hazards can’t be eliminated, PPE serves as a barrier between you and the hazards
OSHA regulations and our policy require appropriate PPE
Slide Show Notes
Why should you bother to wear personal protective equipment? There are several very good reasons.
When you work in the healthcare field, you might be exposed to a variety of workplace hazards, depending on your job. For example, patient care, housekeeping, pharmacy, lab, maintenance, supply, and laundry could expose you to hazardous chemicals, contagious infections, sharps, and radiation. Food service and maintenance could expose you to mechanical or heat hazards.
We use many controls such as ventilation, enclosed processes in the lab, segregation of X-ray equipment, and isolation rooms to help protect you against workplace hazards. But controls can’t always eliminate all job hazards.
When hazards can’t be eliminated, PPE serves as a protective barrier between you and the hazards.
Another reason, of course, why you need to wear assigned PPE is because it is required—both by our workplace policy and by OSHA regulations. OSHA requires us to provide you with appropriate PPE and requires you to wear it.
Are you familiar with the workplace’s policy on required PPE? You should be. Check with your supervisor if you have questions about the policy.
Briefly review your workplace’s policy concerning the use of required PPE.

5. OSHA Requirements What PPE is needed for each task
How to use it correctly
Limitations of PPE
How to maintain PPE properly
Slide Show Notes
OSHA also requires us to provide you with PPE training sessions like this one so that you will know:
What PPE is needed for each task you perform;
How to use PPE correctly;
What your PPE can’t do for you—in other words, its limitations; and
How to maintain your PPE in good, safe condition.

6. Common Healthcare Hazards Requiring PPE
Skin penetration by sharps
Chemicals
Antineoplastic and other potentially harmful drugs
Blood and other potentially infected materials
TB or other airborne bacteria
Slide Show Notes
Many jobs in the healthcare field require some kind of PPE to protect against a variety of possible hazards. For example:
Skin penetration by sharps;
Chemicals;
Antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer patients and other potentially harmful drugs;
Blood and other potentially infectious materials; and
Tuberculosis or other airborne bacteria.

7. Common Healthcare Hazards Requiring PPE (cont.)
Mechanical hazards
Heat
X rays
Light radiation (e.g., lasers or UV)
Any other identified hazard
Slide Show Notes
Other hazards you may face include:
Mechanical hazards, such as moving equipment parts or flying particles;
Heat from steam or hot equipment;
Radiation from X-ray equipment;
Light radiation, such as laser beams or UV rays; and
Any other hazards that your supervisor has identified as a safety or health risk in your job.
Think about the hazards of your job. Can you list them all?
Ask trainees which of these hazards they face in their jobs. Modify the list to include any other hazards trainees may face in their jobs.

8. PPE Is Your Personal Defense Against Hazards
Eyes and face
Skin
Respiratory system
Feet
Hearing
Head
Slide Show Notes
PPE is your personal defense against whichever of these hazards you face while working. Depending on the task you’re performing, you could be exposed to hazards that could injure your:
Eyes or face;
Skin;
Respiratory system;
Feet;
Hearing; or
Head.

9. Eye and Face Protection
Shatterproof safety glasses
Goggles
Filtered lenses
Face shields
Eye protection with prescription glasses
Slide Show Notes
Several types of PPE are available to protect your eyes and face.
Shatterproof safety glasses protect against impact from flying chips or particles. Side shields provide additional protection and may be worn to protect against chemical and blood splashes.
Goggles generally provide more protection than safety glasses and can protect eyes not only from flying particles, but also blood, liquid chemicals, and hazardous gases, vapors, mists, and dust.
Filtered lenses are required to keep out harmful light radiation, such as when working around lasers or when welding. The stronger the light, the darker the lenses must be.
Face shields protect your face against flying particles and splashing liquids, but won’t necessarily protect your eyes. So remember that you must always wear safety glasses or goggles under a face shield.
If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you’ll need either eye protection with corrective lenses or goggles that can be worn over your glasses.
Think about the eye and face protection you need for your job. Do you always use it when eye and face hazards are present?
Identify and display types of eye protection required for the different jobs trainees perform.

10. Skin Protection Gloves Protective clothing Disposable Cotton Leather
Rubber, neoprene, or vinyl
Heat resistant
Protective clothing
Slide Show Notes
PPE can also help protect your skin from chemicals and infectious materials as well as cuts, abrasions, burns, and punctures.
Gloves are the primary form of skin protection. Depending on the job you’re performing you may need to wear:
Disposable gloves to protect against infectious materials such as contaminated blood or chemical hazards such as potentially harmful drugs;
Cotton work gloves for dirt, splinters, and rough surfaces;
Leather gloves to protect against sharp edges and moderate heat;
Rubber, neoprene, or vinyl gloves to protect against chemicals and other skin irritants such as industrial-strength cleaning solutions; or
Heat-resistant mitts to protect against burns in food service.
You may also need special clothing to protect skin, such as gowns, aprons, lab coats, and caps or hoods. All of these items can help protect your skin exposure to hazardous materials.
Think about the skin protection you need in your job? Do you always select the right skin protection for the hazards you face?
Identify and display gloves and protective clothing required for the jobs trainees perform.

11. Respiratory Protection
Masks
Respirators
Respirator fit testing and training
Slide Show Notes
You can irritate or damage your lungs and respiratory system as well as other organs if you inhale harmful chemical vapors. You may also need protection against airborne viruses and bacteria, as well as bloodborne pathogens.
You should wear a mask if there is a risk that blood or other infectious materials could splash in your nose or mouth.
Wear a respirator if there’s a risk of inhaling hazardous chemical vapors—for example, if you work in a lab. If you’re involved in patient care and the air in an isolation room might be contaminated with tuberculosis-infected droplets, you will also be required to wear a respirator.
Your supervisor will tell you when a respirator is necessary, provide you with the right kind of respirator, make sure you get a good fit that fully seals out contaminants, and make sure you are trained, if necessary.
What type of respiratory protection do you need in your job? Do you always use the right type of PPE to protect against respiratory hazards?
Identify and display respiratory protection required for the jobs trainees perform.

12. Foot Protection Sensible, sturdy shoes with nonslip soles Safety shoes
Boots
Shoe covers
Slide Show Notes
Your feet need protection on the job, too.
Even if no special protective footwear is required for your job, you should still wear sensible, sturdy shoes with nonslip soles to work. For example, you may need shoes with rubber or wooden soles to provide traction on wet floors. Sandals, flip flops, or high-heel shoes are not safe or appropriate for most jobs in a healthcare facility.
For some jobs, special safety shoes with reinforced toes may be required—for example, if you handle heavy objects that could fall on your foot or toes and break a bone.
In other jobs, boots may be required to protect your feet from chemical or biological hazards.
Or you may need to wear shoe covers to protect against bloodborne pathogens or other infectious materials.
What kind of shoes do you wear to work? Is it the right type to adequately protect you and your feet against hazards?
Identify and display foot protection required for the jobs trainees perform.

13. Hearing Protection Earmuffs Earplugs Canal caps
Homemade hearing protection IS NOT effective and should NOT be used
Slide Show Notes
If you work in a noisy area or use noisy equipment, you may also need hearing protection to prevent hearing loss. The type of hearing protection you use depends on the level of the noise. There are three basic types of hearing protection:
Earmuffs offer the greatest protection, but must have a perfect seal around the ear to do their job. Glasses, long hair, or long sideburns and beards can make it difficult to get a good fit.
Earplugs seal the ear canal and may come in standard sizes or be individually fitted. They are often disposable. Reusable earplugs should be cleaned after each wearing to remain effective.
Canal caps, which are like headphones, seal the entrance to the ear canal.
Finally, homemade hearing protection, like putting cotton in your ears, is not effective and should not be used in place of required hearing protection.
Do you need to wear hearing protection on the job. Have you chosen the type of protection designed for the level of noise?
Identify and display hearing protection required for the jobs trainees perform.

14. Head Protection Hard hats protect your head in two ways:
Hard outer shell resists blows and penetration
Shock-absorbing suspensions act as a barrier between the outer shell and your head to absorb impact
Slide Show Notes
You need to wear a hard hat to protect your head when there is a risk of falling objects or bumping your head while you work. Hard hats protect your head in two ways:
The hard outer shell resists blows and penetration.
The shock-absorbing suspensions—the head band and straps inside—act as a barrier between the outer shell and your head to absorb impact.
But remember, a hard hat can’t protect you properly from impact if you wear anything under it. That means no caps or sweatshirt hoods under a hard hat.
If you need head protection on the job, do you always remember to wear it when required?
Identify and display head protection required for the jobs trainees perform.

15. Hazards and Protections
Do you understand the information that has been presented so far?
Slide Show Notes
Do you understand all the information that has been presented so far about job hazards that might require PPE and the PPE that might be required? It’s important for your safety and health that you understand and remember all this information.
Answer any questions trainees have about the information presented in the previous slides.
Conduct an exercise, if appropriate.
Now we’ll continue to the next set of slides where we’ll discuss some important points about selection, inspection, use, and maintenance of PPE.

16. Select the Right PPE for the Job You’re Performing
We will provide you with PPE that:
Protects from identified hazards
Is of safe design and construction and gives you a good fit
Is sanitary and reliable
Provides more than minimum protection
Meets required safety and health standards
Slide Show Notes
We spend a lot of time and effort on selecting just the right PPE to protect you against the particular hazards you face. We will provide you with PPE that:
Protects you from identified hazards in the jobs you perform;
Is of safe design and construction and gives you a good fit;
Is sanitary and reliable;
Provides more than minimum protection and protects against multiple hazards when necessary—for example, gloves that protect against both chemical and biological hazards; and
Meets required safety and health standards established by OSHA and the American National Standards Institute.

17. Select the Right PPE for Chemical Hazards
Read the label
Check the MSDS
Ask your supervisor if you have any questions
Slide Show Notes
When you need to protect yourself against potential chemical hazards, there are two excellent sources of information about selecting the right PPE:
The label on the container, which will tell you the hazards of the chemical and recommend proper precautions, including the right PPE;
The material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the chemical, which provides more detailed information about hazards and required PPE; and
If you still have questions about hazards or required protection, ask your supervisor before you begin the job.
Do you know where to find important safety and health information on labels and MSDSs?
Show trainees where to find information about PPE on sample container labels and MSDSs.

18. Inspect PPE Before Use Inspect before each use
Look for holes, tears, cracks, wear, or other problems
Don’t use defective, worn, or damaged PPE. Turn it in and get an effective replacement.
Slide Show Notes
To do its job, PPE must be in top condition.
To be sure it is, inspect PPE carefully before you put it on. And that means before each use.
When you inspect your protective equipment, look for holes, tears, scratches, dents, cracks, wear, or other problems that could prevent the equipment from doing its job and expose you to hazards.
Never use defective, worn, or damaged PPE. Turn it in and get an effective replacement before you start working.
Think about how you inspect your PPE before use. Are you performing inspections properly so that you’ll be sure to catch any defects or damage that could put you at risk?
Demonstrate the proper procedure for inspecting different kinds of PPE used by trainees.

19. Get a Good Fit PPE fits well when it:
Provides you with the protection you need
Is comfortable enough to allow you to move and perform your job well
Remember to check fit before each use
Slide Show Notes
To be effective, your PPE has to fit correctly. Respirators, shoes, and some hearing protection may have to be custom-fitted. Other PPE, like gloves and safety glasses, come in a variety of sizes. It’s up to you to get a good fit. PPE fits well when it:
Provides you with the protection you need; and
Is comfortable enough to allow you to move and perform your job well.
Remember to check fit before each use. PPE can stretch and wear over time.
Do you know how to check to make sure you’re getting a good fit for all the items of PPE you wear? Without the right fit, you could be exposing yourself to serious hazards.
Demonstrate proper fit on sample PPE such as goggles, masks, and respirators.

20. Remove and Dispose of PPE Correctly
Remove PPE when it’s contaminated
Remove PPE from the top down, wearing gloves to protect your skin
Grasp contaminated gloves on the inside and peel down without touching the outside
Place contaminated PPE in assigned containers
Wash thoroughly after removing PPE
Slide Show Notes
When you are finished using PPE and protective clothing, be careful to remove and dispose of it correctly to avoid contamination. Here’s what to do, step by step:
Remove PPE and protective clothing when it’s contaminated or, if that’s impossible, do it as soon as you finish the task;
Remove contaminated protective clothing and PPE one piece at a time, from the top down while wearing gloves to protect your skin;
When you remove your gloves, grasp them on the inside and peel them off without touching the outside;
Place contaminated clothing and PPE in assigned containers; and
Wash thoroughly after removing PPE.
Think about the way you currently remove contaminated PPE. Are you following safe procedures?
Demonstrate proper removal of contaminated PPE. Also describe procedures for disposal or cleaning of contaminated PPE.

21. Maintain PPE Properly Clean PPE before you put it away
Store PPE in a safe place where it won’t be damaged or lost
Slide Show Notes
All tools have to be kept clean and in good condition in order to work well. PPE is no different.
Clean reusable PPE before you put it away. For example, wash safety glasses with soap and water to keep lenses clean. Also clean reusable earplugs so that they will remain effective.
Once it’s clean, store your PPE carefully in a safe place where it won’t be damaged or lost, such as the top shelf of your locker. Avoid any conditions, such as heat or moisture, that could damage PPE.
Do you follow proper procedures for cleaning and storing PPE so that it will be in good condition the next time you or somebody else needs to use it?
Discuss any other maintenance of storage requirements for the PPE used by trainees.

22. Selection, Use, and Maintenance
Do you understand the information in the previous slides?
Slide Show Notes
Do you understand the information presented in the previous slides about selecting the right PPE for the job? About inspecting it before each use? About using it correctly and maintaining it properly?
PPE is one of the most important ways you can protect yourself from job hazards. Make sure you know how to use it properly.
Answer any questions trainees have about the information in the previous slides.
Conduct an exercise, if appropriate.
Now we’ll talk about how new or different hazards might affect selection of PPE. We’ll also say a word or two about using PPE responsibly before winding up the session.

23. When New or Different PPE May Be Required
When tasks change, hazards may change too
When new equipment or substances are introduced, you may face new hazards
When hazards change, new or different PPE may be required
When technology changes, you may be assigned new and improved PPE
Your supervisor will explain any changes and prepare you to use new PPE
Slide Show Notes
PPE is specially selected to protect you from the specific hazards you face on the job. But when the tasks you perform change, hazards may change too.
For example, when new equipment or substances are introduced into your work area, you may also face new or different hazards.
In addition, when hazards change or when new hazards arise, new or different PPE may be required.
You may also be assigned new and improved PPE when design or manufacturing technology changes and PPE is made safer and more effective.
If new or different PPE is required, your supervisor will explain the need for the change and prepare you to use the new PPE correctly and safely.
Think about situations on the job where you have been required to use new or different PPE. By cooperating with the change you were protecting your health and safety.
Give examples of situations in which new hazards have required the use of new or different PPE, or of situations in which new PPE design or manufacturing technology meant the introduction of new and improved PPE that provided better protection.

24. Use PPE Responsibly Know the job hazards Use the equipment provided
Check the equipment
Take care of your equipment
Remove equipment carefully and clean or dispose of it properly
Slide Show Notes
It’s our responsibility to identify workplace hazards and provide you with the PPE you need to protect yourself from hazards of the job. But it’s your responsibility to use the equipment you’re assigned, and use it correctly, so that it can do its job and protect you while you’re doing your job. To use PPE responsibly, you need to:
Know the job hazards and which protective equipment is called for;
Use the equipment that is provided in the way you’ve been taught;
Check the equipment before each use to make sure it’s in good condition, and report any problems with PPE to your supervisor before you start to work;
Take good care of the equipment assigned to you, and keep it clean; and
Remove equipment carefully so that you don’t contaminate yourself, and clean or dispose of it properly.

25. Key Points to Remember
OSHA requires the use of PPE when workplace hazards can’t be eliminated
PPE provides you with a barrier of protection against job hazards
You need to know how to select, inspect, use, and maintain your PPE correctly
Always use assigned PPE
If there’s anything about PPE you don’t understand, ask your supervisor
Slide Show Notes
These are the main points to remember from this session on personal protective equipment:
OSHA requires the use of PPE when workplace hazards can’t be eliminated;
PPE provides you with a barrier of protection against job hazards;
You need to know how to select, inspect, use, and maintain your PPE correctly;
Always use assigned PPE; and
If there’s anything about PPE you don’t understand, ask your supervisor before you begin the job.
This concludes the personal protective equipment training session.
Give trainees the quiz, if appropriate.