Personal Protective Equipment

Presented by

Mohammad Ashfaqur RahmanCompliance Professional

www.linkedin.com/in/ashfaqsaphal

ashfaq.saphal@gmail.com

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

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

A Simple View

PPE – Some Uses

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

PPE – Head Protection

Falling objects Bumping head

against fixed objects such as exposed

pipes or beams Contact with

exposed electrical conductors

PPE – Head Protection

Class A General service

e.g., mining, building construction, shipbuilding, lumbering, and manufacturing

Good impact protection but limited voltage protection

PPE – Head Protection

Class B Electrical work Protect against falling objects and high-voltage shock

and burns

PPE – Head Protection

Class C Designed for comfort, offer limited protection Protects heads that may bump against fixed objects,

but do not protect against falling objects or electrical shock

PPE – Eye Protection

Eye Protection - Selection Safety glasses are used to protect the eyes from flying

objects (no face protection) Made with metal/plastic safety frames Used for moderate impact from particles produced

by such jobs as carpentry, woodworking, grinding, and

scaling

Eye Protection - Selection Chemical splash goggles

Chemical splash goggles protect against fluids by sealing tightly against the face

Protect eyes, eye sockets, and the facial area immediately

surrounding the eyes from impact, dust, and splashes

Eye Protection - Selection Welding Shields:

Protect eyes from burns caused by infrared or intense radiant

light, and protect face and eyes from flying sparks, metal spatter, and slag chips produced during welding, brazing, soldering, and cutting.

Face Shield the highest level of face

protection Protect the face

from nuisance dusts and potential splashes

or sprays of hazardous liquids

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

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

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

Hearing Accident 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

Arm and Hand Protection Burns Bruises Abrasions Cuts Punctures Fractures Amputations Chemical Exposures

Types of Gloves Norfoil laminate resists

permeation and breakthrough by an array of toxic/hazardous

Chemicals. Butyl provides the highest

permeation resistance to gas or water vapors; frequently used

for ketones (M.E.K., Acetone) and esters (Amyl Acetate, Ethyl

Acetate etc.).

Types of Gloves Viton is highly

resistant to permeation by chlorinated and aromatic solvents.

Nitrile provides protection against a

wide variety of solvents, harsh chemicals, fats and petroleum products and also provides excellent resistance to cuts, snags, punctures and abrasions.

Types of Gloves Kevlar

protects against cuts, slashes, and abrasion.

Stainless steel mesh Protects against cuts and

lacerations.

Foot and Leg Protection

Foot Injury - Cause Heavy objects

such as barrels or tools that might roll onto or fall on employees’ feet

Sharp objects such as nails or spikes that might pierce the soles or uppers of

ordinary shoes Molten metal that might splash on feet Hot or wet surfaces Slippery surfaces

Protective Footwear Have impact-resistant toes and heat-resistant soles

that protect against hot surfaces common in roofing, paving, and hot metal industries

Some have metal insoles to protect against puncture wounds May be designed to be nonconductive to protect from workplace

electrical hazards

Other Protective Clothing

body injuries - causes Intense heat

Splashes of hot metals and other hot liquids Impacts from tools, machinery, and materials Cuts Hazardous chemicals Contact with potentially infectious materials, like blood Radiation

Body Protection

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

Respirators - types Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Advantages Provides highest level of protection against airborne

contaminants and oxygen deficiency Limitations

Bulky and heavy Limited air supply limits work duration May impair movement in confined space

Respirators - types Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Advantages: Provides highest level of protection against airborne

contaminates and oxygen deficiency Limitations:

Bulky and heavy Limited air supply limits work duration May impair movement in confined space

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