1. Personal Protective Equipment - What’s it all about?
Prepared for University Safety Council May 2002
Curt Speaker
EHS

2. Personal Protective Equipment
Definition: Devices used to protect an employees from injury or illness resulting from contact with chemical , radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards (OSHA)
The need for PPE and the type of PPE used is based on hazard present; each situation must be evaluated independently

3. 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

4. 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

5. Back to the caveats...
The use of PPE signals that the hazard still exists in the workplace
Unprotected individuals in the same area will be exposed
Failure of PPE means that the worker will be exposed
PPE can be combined with other controls

6. So, what is it???

7. PPE Head protection Eye and Face protection Hearing protection
Respiratory protection
Arm and Hand protection
Foot and Leg protection
Protective clothing

8. Head Protection

9. Hard Hats work by dissipating force

11. Eye Protection

12. Eye Protection Common Uses: Impact Protection Chemical Hazards
Radiation Protection
welder’s goggles
laser goggles UV
Infrared

13. Eye Protection - Selection
Visitor specs are only appropriate for non-employees with no true exposure to hazards
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

14. Face Shield - the highest level of face protection

15. Hearing Protection

16. 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

17. 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

18. Hearing Protection
Rule of Thumb - if you cannot carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice with someone at arm’s 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

19. A couple examples Example 1 Example 2 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

20. Hearing Protection - Types
Ear Plugs - less expensive, disposable, good ones have fairly high NRRs - sometimes difficult to tell if employees 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

21. Arm and Hand Protection

22. Gloves - Typical Uses Chemical protection Biohazard protection
Abrasion protection
Friction protection
Protection from extremes of heat and cold

23. Gloves - more caveats
No glove is good against all hazards; consult laboratory safety link on EHS web page for glove selection chart
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

24. Handwashing and gloves

25. Foot and Leg Protection

26. Protective Footwear
Steel-toed footwear, preferably with metatarsal guards, is used to protect feet from crushing injuries caused by heavy objects
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)

27. Other Protective Clothing

28. Other Protective Clothing
Used to protect street clothes 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 wearer!

29. Respiratory Protection

30. 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

31. Respiratory System

32. Respirators - types Air Purifying Respirators (APR)
Half-face
Full Face
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

33. 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

34. Respirators - A Big Caveat!!!
Employees 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

35. Why?
Respirators put additional resistance against the respiratory system of the wearer
Persons with undiagnosed respiratory system or cardiovascular problems could trigger a serious medical problem (respiratory distress, asthma, heart attack, etc.) by using a respirator

36. Respirators are incompatible with facial hair

37. 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 employees with facial hair
small amounts of facial hair that fit inside of the respirator facepiece are acceptable

38. PPE Usage
PPE that is required to safely conduct University work should be purchased by the work unit
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that PPE is available and worn
Employees are responsible for wearing & maintaining PPE, and reporting worn or defective PPE to their supervisor

39. Recap
PPE is hazard specific; the hazards of each workplace and task must be evaluated
PPE is used as a last resort when the hazard cannot be controlled by other methods
Supervisors are responsible to ensure it is available and worn; Employees must wear and maintain their PPE

40. Recap
PPE is only considered effective if it prevents the contaminant from reaching the wearer
Respirators should not be worn by employees unless they have been medically cleared to do so

41. Dressed for Success!

42. For additional information on PPE...
Check the EHS web site
Or contact EHS directly