1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) - Basics
For Laboratory and Facilities Employees of Tulane University
May 2012
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

2. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Objectives
To know how to assess the work area for PPE use
To understand the importance of providing adequate amounts and various sizes of personal protective equipment
To understand why a worker should not wear PPE outside the work area
To know how to store PPE properly
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

3. PPE/Hazard Assessment
Assess each task and/or work area (e.g. lab, shop, studio, etc.) when any of the following applies:
Hazardous materials are used
Potentially infectious substances are used
Equipment that can pinch, compress, or radiate intensive heat or light is used
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

4. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Proper Dress
Employees must dress appropriately for their jobs.
For laboratories and areas where hazardous materials are used, employees must wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing (no shorts, sandals, flip flops).
PPE must be worn as needed.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

5. Control of Workplace Hazards
Engineering controls
Administrative and work practice controls
PPE is to be used when work practices and/or engineering controls do not lessen or eliminate the hazards. It is important to select and use PPE properly to reduce and/or eliminate worker exposure to the hazard.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

6. PPE/Hazard Assessment
Assessment for personal protective equipment application must be done per hazard (physical and chemical):
- Chemical - Impact
- Biological - Penetration
- Radiological - Compression
- Noise - Heat/Cold
- Vibration - Harmful Dust
- Light radiation
Assessments must be done every two years and/or when new hazards are created.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

7. PPE/Hazard Assessment
Things to look for include:
Sources of motion
Temperature extremes (hot/cold)
Chemical exposures
Dust
Light radiation (welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, high intensity lights)
Falling objects
Sharp objects
Rolling , pinching
Electrical hazards
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

8. PPE/Hazard Assessment
Assessment must include the following areas of the body which may be affected:
Head – eyes, ears, face, respiratory
Hand – wrist, fingers and palms
Body – torso and legs
Foot – shins and feet
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

9. PPE/Hazard Assessment
After assessment has been completed, the proper PPE must be provided for each worker that the hazard affects.
PPE must be made available in adequate amounts and different sizes.
PPE must be stored as per manufacturer recommendations to prevent damage, distortion or contamination.
Bag respirators; don’t hang from straps
Rinse reusable gloves
Don’t leave in sunlight
Don’t paint hard hats.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

10. PPE/Hazard Assessment
OSHA requires documentation of the hazard assessment.
To complete the assessment process, the supervisor must use the PPE/Hazard Assessment Form.
For a copy of the form, go to:
Submit the completed form to OEHS by fax, or via campus mail, TW 16.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

11. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Use of PPE
All who wear PPE must be trained on its uses, limitations and proper decontamination /storage.
Those who wear PPE must not wear it outside their work area.
If PPE is reusable, it must be properly cleaned and decontaminated after use.
All PPE must be stored in a clean and safe manner.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

12. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Eye Protection
Safety glasses (with side shields and brow guard) – impact hazards
Safety goggles – liquid chemicals
Face shield – used with eye protection
- For impact protection, face shields alone do not offer eye protection. They must be used with approved safety glasses or goggles.
The proper prescription safety glasses may be worn for impact protection with the approval of the supervisor.
Notes:
The American Chemical Society advises that contact lenses may be worn around hazardous materials as long as the appropriate type of eye protection is used. Contact lenses do not provide adequate eye protection.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

13. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Eye Protection
When working with cryogenic materials, one must wear the proper gloves, eye protection, and a face shield.
Proper eye protection must be used when working with UV light or when welding. Eye protection may also be required with some lasers.
Contact OEHS for further assistance on the selection of appropriate eye wear.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

14. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Protective Clothing
Aprons
Clean if contaminated with hazardous materials.
Replace if torn, ripped or tattered .
Chemical Suits
If disposable, they must be handled properly and discarded as hazardous waste after use.
If reusable, they must be properly cleaned, decontaminated and properly stored for next use.
Laboratory Coats
Must be worn only inside the work area
Must be removed before leaving work area for breaks, lunch and end of the work day.
Must be cleaned by a professional cleaning service. DO NOT TAKE CONTAMINATED LAB COATS HOME FOR WASHING.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

15. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Protective Clothing
When working with bloodborne pathogens, disposable clothing and/or laboratory coats may not be adequate protection for the employee.
Such clothing must be resistant to blood and body fluid splashes.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

16. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Hand Protection
Latex Gloves
Supervisors must supply adequate supplies and sizes.
Worker and supervisor should be aware of latex allergies and must supply the appropriate substitute PPE as needed.
Rubber Gloves
Must be worn when working with highly corrosive or toxic materials
Must be cleaned, decontaminated and properly stored after each use
Temperature Resistant Gloves (non-asbestos)
Leather
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

17. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Hand Protection
Gloves must be inspected before each use for tears, holes, cracks, and deterioration.
If gloves are defective or badly soiled, they must be discarded.
Disposable gloves must not be reused.
Contact OEHS for information on latex allergies and glove use.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

18. Hand Protection - Chemical
For information as to the type of glove that should be used to protect yourself from a particular chemical, consult the glove manufacturer’s chemical compatibility chart.
Contact OEHS for further assistance.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

19. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Foot Protection
Rubber Booties
Chemical Resistant Shoes/Boots
Steel-toe Shoes
Paper booties
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

20. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Head Protection
Hard hats can protect from head impact, penetration injuries, and electrical injuries such as those caused by falling or flying objects, fixed objects, or contact with electrical conductors.
Cover and protect long hair from getting caught in moving machine parts such as belts, pulleys, chains, etc.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

21. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Hearing Protection
Earplugs/earmuffs can help prevent damage to hearing.
Replace earplugs regularly. Dirty earplugs can cause ear infections.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

22. Types of Respiratory Protection
Air Purifying
- TB Respirators (N-95)
- Cartridge Respirators
- Dust/Mist/Particulate Respirators
- Positive Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)
Air Supplied
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs)
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

23. Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protective equipment is needed when work practices and engineering controls cannot eliminate the inhalation hazard.
The selection and type of respirator is based on the air contaminant and other factors (such as the concentration of the contaminant, oxygen deficient atmosphere, etc.).
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

24. Respiratory Protection
In order to wear a respirator, the following must be done:
The employee must receive a copy of the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard and the Tulane University Respiratory Protection Program.
The employee must be clean shaven.
The employee must have a medical evaluation to determine their ability to wear a respirator.
The employee must be fit-tested by OEHS on an annual basis or when the employee’s facial features have changed dramatically.
Contact OEHS for more details on the Respiratory Protection Program.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

25. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Summary
PPE hazard assessment forms must be filled out and submitted to OEHS every two years.
PPE must be adequate for the job and available to the employee in different sizes and styles.
PPE must not be worn outside work areas or brought home for laundering.
PPE must be stored properly so that it will not be damaged.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

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