2. Personal Protective Equipment

3. Why These Guidelines Are Vital to Your Safety
In today’s workplace, there is no automatic guard or shield against workplace hazards. You must rely on Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, to create the barrier between you and potential hazards.

4. Why These Guidelines Are Vital to Your Safety
Federal regulations require your employer to identify when and where you must use PPE in your workplace, and to select PPE that will protect you against any identified hazard.

5. Why These Guidelines Are Vital to Your Safety
Your responsibility is to wear the required PPE, as well as to know how to use and care for this equipment.

6. Head Protection
You must wear a hard hat whenever there is a potential for falling objects, electrical shocks, bumps, and burns.

7. Adjust the headband so the shell does not touch your head.
Hard Hats
Adjust the headband so the shell does not touch your head.
Inspect your hat daily for cracks or other damage.
Replace the entire hard hat if the shell is cracked, broken, or punctured, or if the hat has taken a heavy blow.

8. Store the hat in a safe, cool place.
Hard Hats
To clean your hard hat, dip it in warm soapy water, scrub, rinse, and dry.
Store the hat in a safe, cool place.
Avoid leaving the hat in direct sunlight or areas of intense heat.

9. Eye & Face Protection
You must wear the appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to potential hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially hazardous light radiation.

10. Eye & Face Protection
The type of eye or face protection needed depends on the potential hazard.

11. Wear safety glasses with side shield if exposed to:
Eye & Face Protection
Wear safety glasses with side shield if exposed to:
Flying Objects
Swinging Objects
Electrical Arcs or Sparks

12. Eye & Face Protection
Wear safety goggles and a face shield if there is the possibility of splashes from chemicals or molten metal.

13. Eye & Face Protection
Wear specially designed chemical goggles if dust, fumes, mists, gases, or vapors are present.

14. Eye & Face Protection
If you wear prescription eyewear, use prescription safety glasses or safety goggles over your prescription glasses.

15. Eye & Face Protection
Store clean eyewear in a closed container, protected from dust and moisture.

16. Hearing Protection
Exposure to high noise levels can damage your hearing, causing irreversible hearing loss.

17. Hearing Protection
Hearing protection devices either cover the ears or go into the ears to block excessive noise.

18. Earmuffs Hearing Protection
When wearing earmuffs, make sure they form a complete seal around the ear.
Adjust the headband for proper fit.
Inspect earmuffs for cracks in the seal, deformed cushion or liners. Wash with soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

19. Earplugs Hearing Protection
Before inserting earplugs, roll the plug slightly between forefinger and thumb lengthwise to reduce the size.
Then with one hand, pull your ear back and insert the plug into your ear canal with the other hand.
Reusable earplugs can be cleaned with soap and water and stored in the proper container.

20. Inspect hearing protection devices before each use.
Clean hearing protection devices regularly following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Store hearing protection where it will stay clean and dry.

21. Hand Protection
While it is your employer’s responsibility to provide hand protection, it is your responsibility to select the right glove for the specific hazard you encounter.

22. Inspect your gloves before putting them on.
Hand Protection
Inspect your gloves before putting them on.
Do not wear gloves that are torn, cracked, or damaged.

23. Hand Protection
No one glove protects against every chemical. Consult the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet to be sure you are using the proper gloves.

24. Never wear sandals, or shoes with open toes or heels.
Foot Protection
When on the job, wear the appropriate work shoes or boots. They should be sturdy, in good condition, and must fit well.
Never wear sandals, or shoes with open toes or heels.

25. Foot Protection
Wear safety shoes with toe protection when you are working around heavy equipment, when handling materials that could drop on your toes, or when using heavy handcarts.

26. Foot Protection
Wear aluminum alloy, fiberglass, or galvanized steel foot guards over safety shoes if you need extra protection for the bridge of the foot.

27. Do not wear metal insoles where there is a risk of electrical contact.
Foot Protection
If puncture hazards like nails or wire are present in the work area, wear footwear with a metal insole or reinforced sole.
Do not wear metal insoles where there is a risk of electrical contact.

28. Foot Protection
Wear impermeable rubber or neoprene boots if working with corrosives or other harmful chemicals.

29. Foot Protection
If working with live electrical power, wear shoes with non-conductive soles, made without nails or other metal parts.

30. Heat-resistant soles should be worn when working on hot surfaces.
Foot Protection
Heat-resistant soles should be worn when working on hot surfaces.

31. Many hazards can also threaten the body:
Special Garments
Many hazards can also threaten the body:
Heat
Splashes from hot metals or liquids
Impact
Cuts
Acids
Hazardous chemicals

32. Arc Flash rated protective clothing protects against electrical burn.
Special Garments
Wool and specially treated cotton are two natural fibers that are fire-resistant and comfortable, since they adapt well to changing temperatures.
Arc Flash rated protective clothing protects against electrical burn.

33. Special Garments
Duck, a closely woven cotton fabric, is good for light duty protective clothing. It can protect against cuts and bruises on jobs where heavy, sharp, or rough materials are handled.

34. Special Garments
Heat-reflective clothing, such as leather, is used often to guard against dry heat and flames.

35. Special Garments
Rubber, rubberized fabrics, and neoprene protect against many acids and chemicals.

36. Always inspect clothing for damage before each use.
Special Garments
Always inspect clothing for damage before each use.

37. Summary
Personal Protective Equipment creates a barrier between you and a potential hazard.

38. Summary
You must be able to recognize potential hazards and take action by selecting and wearing the correct PPE for the job.

39. Health & Safety Institute
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