Personal Protective Equipment
Disclaimer:
This material is designed and intended for general informational purposes only, and is not
intended, nor shall it be construed or relied upon, as specific legal advice.
INTRODUCTION
Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp
edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and many
other potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers
protect their employees from workplace hazards that can cause
injury. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn by
employees to minimize their exposure to occupational hazards.
PPE does not eliminate the hazard, but rather decreases or
eliminates the risk of injury to the worker. Several types of PPE
can be used to protect the hands, eyes, face, head, ears, feet,
arms, and body. Employers are required to provide PPE to their
employees when their work environment or work processes present a hazard that cannot be
eliminated through engineering or administrative controls.
RESPONSIBILITIES
To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, employers and
employees must work together in creating and maintaining a safe work environment. The use of
appropriate personal protective safety equipment applies to all employees, contractors and
visitors performing tasks or entering areas that require specific PPE.
Employers are responsible for:
•
Performing a "hazard assessment" of the workplace to identify and control physical and
health hazards
•
Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees
•
Training employees in the use and care of the PPE
•
Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE
•
Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program
Employees are responsible for:
•
Wearing any required PPE
•
Attending training sessions on PPE
•
Caring for, cleaning and maintaining PPE
•
Informing a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE
A program coordinator should be appointed to manage the program.
responsibilities include:
The coordinator
•
Verifying that existing workplace hazards have been evaluated
•
Ensuring that the most effective PPE has been obtained and issued to affected
employees
•
Providing training on the use and maintenance of PPE
Page 1
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
•
Enforcing the use of PPE
•
Evaluating the program regularly (at least annually) to determine if changes are
necessary
A written PPE program should be developed that states the organization’s policies on PPE,
explains the selection of the equipment, lists the storage and cleaning procedures, and
discusses the use of the equipment as part of the daily operations.
The program coordinator should be familiar with the information and requirements found in
OSHA’s Subpart I on Personal Protective Equipment. A copy of the standards should be
obtained and read thoroughly. The OSHA standards on PPE are broken down into the following
categories:
1. General Requirements (1910.132)
2. Eye and Face Protection (1910.133)
3. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
Protection” document
For detailed information, see EMC “Respiratory
4. Head Protection (1910.135)
5. Foot Protection (1910.136)
6. Electrical Protective Devices (1910.137)
7. Hand Protection (1910.138)
8. Hearing Conservation (1910.95)
Each category includes specific information that must be followed if PPE is required for
employee use. Any specific requirement found in the regulations supersedes this general
document.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
When engineering, work practice and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide
sufficient protection, employers must provide PPE to their employees and ensure its use.
OSHA’s general PPE requirements state that whenever hazards are present that could cause
physical or biological harm, the employer is required to provide PPE to decrease or eliminate
the employee’s risk of exposure. Typical areas of exposure include environmental concerns,
chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants. In order to determine what
hazards exist in your workplace, a job site survey should be conducted. In addition to the job
site survey, employers should review Safety Data Sheets (formerly Material Safety Data Sheets)
for PPE guidelines related to all chemicals being used in the workplace. OSHA requires written
certification showing that the workplace evaluation was completed (1910.132.d.2). Instructions
for performing a PPE Hazard Assessment are included in Appendix A of this document.
Appropriate PPE should be selected that will adequately protect workers from identified
hazards. Employers and employees should understand the purpose and limitations of PPE and
choose the proper equipment based on its ability to protect workers from potential hazards.
Page 2
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
Employers should take the fit and comfort of PPE into consideration. PPE that fits well and is
comfortable to wear will encourage employees to use it. Affected employees should be involved
in the PPE selection process. Allowing the workers to participate in the selection of safety
equipment is the best way to ensure they will use it in the future. The employer should listen to
employee concerns and continue to investigate alternatives until a suitable conclusion is
reached.
All personal protective devices must be kept clean and sanitized to ensure reliable protection. If
employees are allowed to provide their own protective equipment, it is still the responsibility of
the employer to ensure the equipment meets appropriate standards and is maintained properly.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Each employee who is required to use PPE on the job should be trained to know at least the
following:
• When PPE is necessary
•
What PPE is necessary
•
How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
•
Proper care and maintenance of the PPE
•
Useful life of the PPE and disposal procedures
•
Limitations of the PPE
Training should be documented, and retraining should occur when warranted by changes in the
workplace or when the employer has reason to believe that an employee does not have
adequate knowledge of PPE requirements.
EYE AND FACE PROTECTION
Employees can be exposed to many hazards that pose danger to their eyes and face. Many
occupational eye injuries occur because workers were not wearing any eye protection. OSHA
requires employers to ensure that employees have appropriate eye or face protection if they are
exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or
caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, potentially infected material or potentially harmful light
radiation. As mentioned previously, OSHA’s general guidelines
and requirements for eye and face protection can be found in
1910.133. OSHA suggests that eye protection be routinely
considered for use by carpenters, electricians, machinists,
mechanics, millwrights, plumbers and pipefitters, sheet metal
workers and tinsmiths, assemblers, sanders, grinding machine
operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, chemical process
operators and handlers, and timber cutting and logging workers.
Selecting the appropriate PPE begins with a thorough analysis of
the existing workplace hazards. Examples of potential eye or
face hazards include:
• Dust, dirt, metal or wood chips entering the eye from activities such as chipping,
grinding, sawing, hammering, and the use of power tools
Page 3
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
•
Chemical splashes from corrosive substances, hot liquids, solvents or other hazardous
solutions
•
Objects swinging into the eye or face, such as tree limbs, chains, tools or ropes
•
Radiant energy, intense light from welding, harmful rays from the use of lasers or other
radiant light (as well as heat, glare, sparks, splash and flying particles)
Note any areas in the facility where dust or flying debris may occur, chemicals are being
handled or stored, and harmful light or lasers are being used. Another area of concern is
exposure to bloodborne pathogens, typically found in health care settings.
After determining the workplace hazards, employers should select the most appropriate
equipment for the hazard. Some of the most common types of eye and face protection include
the following:
• Safety eyeglasses with side-shields. They consist of safety frames constructed of metal
or plastic and impact-resistant lenses. Employees with corrective lenses and contacts
should consider prescription safety glasses or goggles that will fit comfortably over their
corrective glasses. Regular eyeglasses do not provide adequate protection, and should
not be used as substitutes for safety glasses.
•
Goggles. They should be tight fitting and completely cover the eyes, eye sockets and the
facial area immediately surrounding the eyes and provide protection from impact, dust
and splashes. Some goggles will fit over corrective lenses.
•
Face shields. They are made with transparent sheets of plastic extending from the
eyebrows to below the chin and across the entire width of the employee’s head. Face
shields protect against nuisance dusts and potential splashes of hazardous liquids but
will not provide adequate protection against impact hazards. They should be worn over
safety eyeglasses or goggles.
•
Welding shields. They are fitted with a filtered lens to protect eyes from burns caused by
infrared or intense radiant light. Welding shields also protect the eyes and face from
flying sparks, metal spatter and slag chips produced during welding, brazing, soldering
and cutting operations. OSHA requires filter lenses to have a shade number appropriate
to protect against the specific hazards of the work being performed in order to protect
against harmful light radiation. OSHA Publication 3151, Personal Protective Equipment,
contains tables listing the minimum protective shades for radiant energy by type of
operation, electrode size, and arc current. As a general rule, it is recommended to start
with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone and then move to a lighter shade that
gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum shade level.
Once the equipment has been selected, additional factors should be considered such as
employee training, maintenance of equipment, and future audits. As part of their training,
employees should be educated on how to adjust the equipment to suit their needs. The
equipment should be comfortable, fit somewhat snug, and should not interfere with any of the
worker’s daily activities. Part of the training should also include proper maintenance and
cleaning procedures. Allowing time at the end of the shift for cleaning equipment is one way to
ensure regularly scheduled cleaning
Proper use of eyewashes is another critical factor for minimizing potential eye injuries.
Eyewash stations should be installed at a distance no greater than 10 seconds from the hazard,
or approximately 50-75 feet, whichever is less. The station should be located in an easily
accessible and unobstructed location and be capable of providing 15 minutes of continuous
Page 4
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
water flow for both eyes. Testing and maintenance of the eyewashes should be performed
according to accepted standards to ensure proper working order. See OSHA’s Eye and Face
Protection eTool for more information.
HAND, ARM, AND BODY PROTECTION
Personal protective equipment is also required for employees
whenever the working process or environment exposes the
hands, arms, or body to a potential injury. Potential hazards
include skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical or
thermal burns, electrical shock, bruises, cuts, punctures,
fractures and amputations. The goal should always be to
eliminate the hazard through engineering or administrative
controls.
When this is not possible, personal protective
equipment should be used to provide protection. OSHA’s
general guidelines and requirements for hand protection can be
found in OSHA 1910.138.
Hazard identification is the first step in selecting the proper
equipment. Note any areas of operation where employees are
exposed to sharp edges or surfaces, tools, impact hazards, exposed electrical conductors,
extreme temperatures, chemicals, and/or bloodborne pathogens. Some potentially hazardous
operations include grinding, chipping, sawing, cutting, mixing chemicals, working with fiberglass,
painting, welding, baking/cooking, cleaning, and working in a medical field. This list does not
cover all potentially dangerous operations; however, it should provide a general idea of what
you should look for while performing the hazard assessment.
Protective equipment includes gloves, finger guards and arm coverings or elbow-length gloves.
There are three main purposes for using gloves as PPE:
1. To prevent direct skin contact with materials or chemicals
2. To prevent cuts and abrasions
3. To insulate from extreme temperatures or electrical hazards
Manufacturers categorize gloves according to their protective characteristics. Each type of
glove is designed to protect against a specific hazard. A hazard assessment at your workplace
is necessary to determine the correct glove selection. It is essential that employees use gloves
specifically designed for the hazards and tasks found in their workplace because gloves
designed for one task may not protect against a different task’s hazards even though they may
appear to be appropriate. The main types of gloves and their protective properties are:
• Leather and canvas gloves provide protection against cuts, abrasions, sparks and
temperature extremes.
•
Metal mesh gloves provide protection against cuts and abrasions.
•
Rubber gloves (latex, nitrile, butyl, or synthetic materials like neoprene) protect workers
against chemical exposure, skin irritations, and bloodborne pathogens. OSHA
Publication 3151 provides a table listing specific chemicals and which type of glove is
most effective for the exposure listed.
•
Insulating rubber gloves provide electrical protection.
Page 5
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
•
Fabric and coated fabric gloves made of cotton or other fabric are generally comfortable
to wear for extended periods while providing protection against dirt, slivers and
abrasions.
Body protection is required for any part of the body that is exposed to injury. Possible hazards
include:
• Temperature extremes and sparks
•
Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids
•
Chemical or biological exposure
•
Environmental exposures like insects, vegetation, and radiation (sunlight, X-Ray,
welding, etc.)
•
Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials
There are many types of protective clothing available for specific hazards. Selection should be
based on workplace hazard assessments. Examples of protective clothing include:
•
Fiber used for disposable suits provide protection against dust and splashes
•
Treated wool and cotton adapts to temperature extremes, is comfortable, and fireresistant and protects against dust, abrasions and rough and irritating surfaces
•
Canvas and duck fabric protects against cuts and bruises when handling heavy, sharp or
rough materials
•
Leather is often used to protect against abrasions, heat, sparks and flames
•
Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene and plastics protect against certain chemicals and
physical hazards
HEAD PROTECTION
Head protection should be provided for employees whenever
there is an injury exposure related to falling overhead objects,
bumping into fixed objects, or electrical contact.
Head
protection requirements can be found in OSHA 1910.135. As
with any PPE, thorough analysis of the workplace and the
existing hazards should be conducted prior to selecting any
equipment.
Hard hats are the most common type of head protection used in
the work environment. They are typically made with highdensity plastics, reinforced fiberglass, or dielectric plastics.
Hard hats have a suspension system that allows for clearance
between the shell and the wearer's head (1 to 1 1/4 inches). This clearance is necessary for
ventilation and shock absorption of an impact.
There are three industrial classifications for hard hats based on brim style and electrical
conductivity of the shell.
•
Class A hard hats protect workers from impact and penetration exposures and have
limited electrical protection (up to 2,200 volts).
Page 6
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
•
Class B protects workers against impact hazards as well as electrical exposures up to
20,000 volts.
•
Class C offers the least protection, protecting only against “bumping” hazards caused by
fixed objects.
The OSHA 1910.135 standard requires that all hard hats meet ANSI (American National
Standard Institute) Z89.1 specifications. Each hat should bear a label inside the shell that lists
the manufacturer, the ANSI designation and the class of the hat.
All employees who wear hardhats should be trained on proper use, maintenance, cleaning
procedures, and routine inspections. Training should include how to recognize signs of
deterioration such as perforation, cracking and deformation. Other points to cover during
training include:
•
Never wear a hard hat backwards
•
Do not paint the hard hat shell or apply labels
•
Replace a hard hat after it sustains an impact
•
Suspension systems are offered as replacement parts and should be replaced when
damaged or excessive wear is noticed. It is not necessary to replace the entire hard hat
when deterioration or tears of the suspension systems are noticed.
•
Some paints and solvents may weaken the shell and reduce or eliminate its electrical
resistance
HEARING PROTECTION
OSHA developed standard 1910.95 “Occupational Noise Exposure” to deal with workplace
noise hazards and hearing conservation. This standard requires employers to provide a work
environment free from identifiable noise hazards. If a worker’s exposure cannot be limited to
noise levels averaging 85 decibels (dBA) or less for an 8-hour workday, employers are required
to implement a Hearing Conservation Program. If a noise hazard exists, employers should
implement engineering or administrative controls in order to reduce the exposure below the
hazard limit.
If engineering and work practice controls do not lower employee exposure to workplace noise to
acceptable levels, employees must wear appropriate hearing protection. Some types of hearing
protection include:
• Single-use earplugs made of waxed cotton, foam, or silicone rubber. They are selfforming and they work as well as most molded earplugs when properly inserted.
•
Pre-formed or molded earplugs must be individually fitted by a professional and can be
disposable or reusable. Reusable plugs should be cleaned after each use.
•
Earmuffs require a seal around the ear. Glasses, facial hair, long hair or facial
movements such as chewing may reduce the protective value of earmuffs.
Page 7
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
FOOT PROTECTION
Foot protection should be provided for employees
whenever there is an injury exposure related to heavy
objects falling or rolling on the worker’s feet, sharp
objects penetrating the sole of the shoe, hot or molten
materials contacting the feet, or electrical hazards. Foot
protection requirements can be found in OSHA 1910.136.
The OSHA 1910.136 standard requires industrial
footwear to comply with ASTM F-2412-11, "Standard
Test Methods for Foot Protection," and ASTM F-2413-11,
"Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective Footwear."
Typical operations of concern for foot protection include construction, utility work, general
manufacturing, material handling, welding, demolition work, grain milling, and other similar
activities. When analyzing the workplace for foot hazards, note any areas that may subject
workers to any of the following:
•
Corrosive materials
•
Hot or molten substances
•
Sharp objects capable of puncturing the sole or uppers of footwear
•
Heavy equipment, tools and/or parts (crushing hazard)
•
Electrical hazards
•
Wet or slippery walking surfaces
A wide variety of safety footwear is available. Each type of foot protection provides a different
level of protection. Examples include steel-toed safety shoes, slip resistant soles, metatarsal
guards, and toe guards. For instance, steel-toed safety shoes protect toes against impact and
have soles that protect against hot materials. Metatarsal guards are designed to attach over the
top of the worker’s shoes and provide protection for the top of the foot between the toes and the
ankles. Toe guards are also designed to attach over the top of the workers shoes and provide
protection to the toes only.
Safety shoes may also be designed to be electrically conductive to prevent the buildup of static
electricity in areas with the potential for explosive atmospheres or nonconductive to protect
workers from workplace electrical hazards.
OSHA Publication 3151 provides detailed information on what type of foot protection is most
suitable for different types of exposures and operations.
CONCLUSION
Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect employees. Engineering or work
practice controls should be used to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent possible.
When those controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must
provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure its use.
Page 8
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
Developing an effective PPE program requires leadership and a desire to protect employees
from workplace hazards. Recommended steps to follow are:
1. Appoint a program coordinator to develop and monitor the program.
2. Complete workplace hazard assessments to identify employee exposures.
3. Select appropriate PPE to protect against the identified hazards.
4. Train employees on the use and maintenance of the PPE.
The PPE program and all training should be documented. Management commitment is critical
to the success of any PPE program. That commitment should be communicated to employees
and demonstrated on a daily basis by supervisors and management.
Page 9
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Occupational Safety & Health Administration: www.osha.gov
•
Assessing the Need for Personal Protective Equipment: A Guide for Small Business
Employees
•
Eye and Face Protection eTool
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: www.cdc.gov/niosh
•
A Guide for Evaluating the Performance of Chemical Protective Clothing
•
Recommendations for Chemical Protective Clothing
•
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)
EMC Tech Sheets: www.emcins.com
•
Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment
•
Working in Hot Environments
•
Protecting Workers in Cold Environments
•
Emergency Eyewash Stations
•
Personal Protective Equipment for Welding
•
Hand Injury Prevention
EMC Loss Prevention Information Manual: www.emcins.com
•
Job Hazard Analysis
•
Respirator Protection
•
Hearing Conservation
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA): www.nfpa.org
•
NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials
Emergencies
•
NFPA 1992, Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for
Hazardous Materials Emergencies
•
NFPA 1994, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Chemical/Biological Terrorism
Incidents
Page 10
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
APPENDIX A: CONDUCTING A PPE HAZARD ASSESSMENT
According to OSHA standards, employers are required to assess the workplace to determine if
hazards that require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are present or are likely to
become present. If hazards are present, or are likely to become present, the employer should
select and have each affected employee use the types of PPE that will protect the employee
from the hazards identified. The following information details the steps that should be taken
when conducting a PPE hazard assessment.
Step 1: Review Injury and Accident Information
There are two sources of injury data that can be reviewed to obtain information about the
hazards in your facility:
•
OSHA 300 log
•
Workers’ compensation claims
Also, involve the employees and supervisors from each work area that is being assessed.
Review job procedures, potential hazards, and the PPE currently in use. Discuss the
reasons for conducting the PPE assessment and ask for employee and supervisor input. In
many cases, the employee is aware of hazards unknown to the evaluator, so obtaining
employee input is a critical part of the hazard assessment.
Step 2: Conduct a Walk-Through Survey
Conduct a walk-through survey of the work areas that may need PPE. The purpose of the
survey is to identify sources of hazards to employees. Observe the layout of the workplace,
location of the workers, work operations and associated hazards, areas where PPE is
currently being used and the reason for its use. The following basic hazard categories
should be considered when performing the hazard assessment:
•
Impact (workers hitting or being hit by objects)
•
Penetration (sharp objects piercing foot/hand)
•
Compression (roll-over or pinching hazards)
•
Heat
•
Dust
•
Respiratory Hazards
•
Extreme cold
•
Noise
•
Vibration
•
Electrical hazards
•
Optical radiation (welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, etc.)
•
Chemical exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, etc.)
Page 11
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
Step 3: Organize the Data
Following the walk-through survey, organize the data and information for use in the written
hazard assessment. Organize your data to include the work activities assessed, location of
the assessment, and hazards identified. An example of how to organize the data is shown
in Table 1.
Table 1. Hazard Assessment Table
Work Activity Assessed
Grinding - Metal
Gas Welding
Tree Trimming
Location of
Assessment
Hazards Identified
Building #7 Shop
Flying Particles
Building #5 Shop
Flash burn (optical radiation)
Around the
Building
Falling branches
Noise
Burns to hands
Cuts to hands
Sodium hydroxide / Respiratory exposure
Mastic Floor Stripping
Office
Hallways
Sodium hydroxide / Skin exposure
Sodium hydroxide / Eye exposure
Office Work
Building #6
None
Step 4: Selecting the Proper PPE
After completing the hazard assessment table, the next step is to determine which type of
PPE should be used to protect employees from the hazards. The following steps should be
taken to complete this process:
1. Become familiar with the potential hazards, what types of PPE are available, and
what it can do (e.g., impact protection, eye protection, etc.) to prevent injuries and
illnesses.
2. Compare the hazards associated with the work environment and the capabilities of
the available PPE.
3. Select the PPE that ensures a level of protection greater than the minimum required
to protect employees from the hazards.
4. Fit the user with the PPE and provide training on the care, use, and limitations of
PPE.
Remember, personal protective equipment should not be used as the only method to protect
employees from hazards. Instead, PPE should be used in conjunction with engineering
controls, administrative controls, and procedural controls. Once the PPE is selected, you
can add the final column to the PPE hazard assessment table (see Table 2).
Page 12
Rev. 07-03-2013
Personal Protective Equipment
Table 2. Hazard Assessment Table
Work Activity
Assessed
Location of
Assessment
Building #7 Shop
Flying Particles
Safety Glasses with side shields
Grinding - Metal
Noise
Ear plugs or muffs
Building #5 Shop
Flash burn (optical radiation)
Welding goggles 4-8 shading
Burns to hands
Leather gloves
Around the
Building
Falling branches
Hardhats - Type C
Cuts to hands
Leather gloves
Sodium hydroxide / Respiratory exposure
Air purifying respirators
Sodium hydroxide / Skin exposure
Neoprene or PVC gloves
Sodium hydroxide / Eye exposure
Chemical goggles
None
None
Gas Welding
Tree Trimming
Mastic Floor
Stripping
Office Work
Office
Hallways
Building #6
PPE Selected
(Make & Model #)
Hazards Identified
Step 5: Certify the Assessment
Each PPE hazard assessment should be documented through the issuance of a written
Hazard Assessment Certification. This document should:
•
Identify the workplace that was evaluated.
•
Name the individual(s) who conducted the evaluation.
•
Give the date of the hazard assessment.
•
Identify the document as a certification of hazard assessment.
Page 13
Rev. 07-03-2013