Determining PPE Requirements

Objective

This program assesses the need for appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Each unique job designation, which incorporates specific use of equipment and/or procedures, will be assessed for the need of specific PPE and documented within this program. 

 

Equipment 

All equipment must be authorized PPE. Equipment specified within the job assessments will be used while performing work duties for that operation. Affected employees are not permitted to substitute any equipment in place of the specified PPE unless first cleared by management and the Safety Director. 

 

Hazard Assessment Training Program 

 

OBJECTIVES 

Provide guidance in the selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 

Suggested materials to have on hand: 

·       Hardhats 

·       Safety glasses 

·       Any other required or recommended PPE 

·       Hi – Vis vests

 

INTRODUCTION 

Hardhats, safety glasses, boots. These are only some of the types of PPE required to be used in our daily job activities. PPE is designed to create a barrier between you and workplace hazards. PPE devices will not be relied on to provide protection against hazards but will be used with guards, engineering controls, and administrative controls. 

 

OSHA’S PPE standard will provide improved levels of protection to an estimated 11.7 million employees in 1.1 million workplaces. OSHA believes that at least four fatalities and 712,000 lost workdays will be prevented annually. 

 

Hazard Assessment and Equipment 

A hazardous assessment survey should be conducted with the Safety Director prior to starting a project.  This survey is used to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE.

What the employer must do: 

·       Select, and have each employee use, the type of PPE that will protect the employee from the hazards identified in the assessment. 

·       Communicate selection decisions to the employee. 

What the employee must do: 

·       Each employee must use and care for the PPE assigned to them and the job. 

·       PPE that is given to new employees include hard hat, safety glasses, and Hi Vis shirts    

       or vests.

Defective or damaged PPE must never be used.   If for any reason you feel your PPE has been damaged or unusable bring it to Tool Dept for replacement.

 

Cleaning and maintenance 

All PPE must be kept clean and properly maintained. This is particularly important for eye and face protection where dirty or fogged lenses could impair vision. 

PPE must be inspected, cleaned, and maintained at regular intervals. 

 

Training 

·       Affected employees will be trained in at least the following:

·       When is PPE necessary 

·       What PPE is necessary 

·       How to put on, take off, adjust, and wear PPE 

·       The limitations of the PPE; and 

·       The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE. 

Each affected employee must understand the required training above and have the ability to use PPE properly.  This will be accomplished before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE.   The program will consist of demonstrated/hands on trainging and the use of attachement B PPE form.

Eye and Face 

The employee must use eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, chemicals, acids or caustics, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. Side protection is required when there is a hazard from flying objects. Safety glasses with side shields at a minimum are required on the jobsite at all times for our employees. 

Respiratory 

To control those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective will be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This will be accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control measures (i.e. enclosure of the operation, ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, appropriate respirators must be used. Only trained and qualified employees may use respirators. 

Head 

Head protection will be used whenever there is a possibility of head injury from falling objects, side impact, flying objects, or electrical hazards.  Hardhats are required on the jobsite at all times for our employees

Foot 

Foot protection must be used whenever working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such an employee’s feet are exposed to electrical hazards.  Boots are required on the jobsite at all times 

Hand 

Hand protection must be selected and used to provide appropriate protection when employees’ hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts, or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes. 

Retraining 

When the employer has reason to believe that an affected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill required by our training program, the employer must retrain the employee.  

Circumstances when retraining would be required include, but are not limited to, situations where: 

·       Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete; or 

·       Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete; or 

·       Inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the understanding or skill. 

Closing thoughts 

Proper selection, use and care of PPE can and does save lives. Please take the time to use PPE both on and off the job. We need you and your family needs you. 

Compliance 

Any employee who is not in compliance with the PPE requirements and procedures will be immediately subject to the appropriate reprimand procedures.