1. Personal Protective Equipment - Whats it all about? Written by: Gene Herbest Made available by www.nationalsafetyinc.com

2. REFERENCES

• AR 385 Series

• AR 11-34

• TB Med Series

• DA Pam 385-1

• 29 CFR 1910

• ANSI Z41-1991

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

11.

12. Eye Protection

13. Eye Protection

• Common Uses:

• • Impact Protection

• • • Grinding

• • • Drilling

• • Chemical Hazards

• • • Parts washer

• • • Spray Painting

• • Radiation Protection

• • • welders 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 arms 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

• • 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 Z41-1991

• 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?