Safetyy in Personal Protecctive Equipm
ment 
 

Khaalid Md. Bahauddin (Hillol) 

Batch: 34th battch, Sessio
on: 2008‐‐09 

Date of subm
mission: 20M
May, 2010 

Courrse name: Environme

E ental Safetty

Courrse no.: 52002

Departme
D ent of Ennvironm
mental Scciences
Jaahangirnnagar Unniversityy, Savar, Dhaka

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Table of content

1.  Introduction                     3 
2.  Objectives                     3 
3.  Definition of PPE                   3 
4.  Global situation of Occupational safety issues           4 
5.  Prevalence of Hazardous Conditions and Risk Factors        5 
6.  Types of PPE                     5 
7.  The Purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)         9 
8.  The Requirement for Personal Protective Equipment         9 
9.   When can PPE be used?                 10 
10.   Choosing and Using PPE                 10  
11.   Assessing suitable PPE                  11 
12.   PPE Plans                     12 
13.   How it works/ Procedure                 12 
14.   PPE program                     15 
15.   Storage for PPE                    16 
16.   Provision and replacement of PPE               16 
17.   Limitations of Protective Equipment               17 
18.   Responsibilities for PPE                 17 
19.   8 Ways to Get Workers to Wear PPE               18 
20.   PPE checklist                     19 
21.   Conclusion                     19  

Reference  

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1. Introduction

Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying
sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad of other potentially dangerous situations. Controlling
hazards with engineering and administrative controls is the best way to protect employees. When
these controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, personal protective
equipment (PPE) must be use. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is considered to be the last
line of defense against hazards in the workplace. Advocates for workers in high risk occupations
emphasize the continuing need to control or eliminate hazards, rather than require workers to
protect themselves with personal protective equipment.

2. Objectives
This report will show the following:

• Understand the PPE and types of PPE

• Scenarios of Global Safety situation
• Purpose and requirement of PPE
• Know the Procedure of conducting PPE in the workplace
• Select appropriate and suitability of PPE for a variety of circumstances.
• Maintenance, storages and plan & program for PPE
• Checklist for PPE function and other issues
• Understand what kind of training is needed in the proper use and care of PPE.

The information in this report is general in nature and does not address all workplace hazards or
PPE requirements.

3. Definition of PPE

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as “PPE,” is equipment worn to minimize

exposure to a variety of hazards.
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is designed to protect employees from serious workplace
injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical,
mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

PPE is defined in the Regulations as ‘all equipment (including clothing affording protection
against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects
him against one or more risks to his health or safety’. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
protects a worker’s body from hazards and includes a wide range of clothing and safety

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equipment. PPE includes boots, face masks, hard hats, ear plugs, respirators, gloves, safety
harnesses, high visibility clothing, etc.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce the number and severity of farm work related
injuries and illnesses. Personal protective equipment not only helps protect people but also
improves productivity and profits. Farmers and ranchers can share in these benefits by using the
appropriate protective equipment for themselves, family members and employees when the job
and its potential hazards call for it.

Protective equipment should not replace engineering, administrative, or procedural controls for
safety — it should be used in conjunction with these controls. Employees must wear protective
equipment as required and when instructed by a supervisor.

4. Global situation of Occupational safety issues

When an injury occurs in the workplace, not only does the worker suffer but the costs, medical
and time loss payments, loss in productivity, costs for a replacement worker, and potential
increase in insurance premium costs can be great.

• It is estimated that every year over 1.1 million people worldwide die of occupational injuries
and work-related diseases. In developing countries, the risks that foster ill-health are
estimated to be 10 to 20 times higher than in developed countries.
• Workers in mining, forestry, construction and agriculture face increased risks. Many of them
suffer occupational injuries and disease which lead to disability and premature death. In
developing countries, only about 10% of workers have access to occupational health services.
• In 1995, the world’s workforce comprised about 2400 million (45%) of the total population
of the world and 58% of the population aged 10 years and above. Annually, 30% to 50% of
workers report hazardous physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic exposures or
workload. About 120 million occupational accidents with 200 000 fatalities occur annually,
and 68 million to 157 million new cases of occupational disease may be caused by various
exposures at work.
• In the African Region, work-related threats to human health and life are becoming
increasingly evident. A study of workers in gold mining in an east African country reported
abnormally high concentrations of total mercury in the urine samples of miners exposed to
mercury vapour during burning of gold-mercury amalgams. In the same country, there were
injury rates between 10 and 18 per 1 000 workers in mining, building and construction
industries.
• In spite of all these work-related health findings, including psychosocial issues, only 5% to
10% of workers in developing countries and 20% to 50% of workers in developed countries
have access to occupational health services.

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• A worker is killed at work in India every 5 minutes.

• A factory worker in Pakistan is 8 times more likely to be killed at work than a factory worker
in France
• Construction workers in Guatemala are six times more likely to die at work than their
counterparts in Switzerland.
• According to the 2002 ILO estimates for Asia, the expected rates of fatal injuries per 100 000
was about 35 in the agriculture sector; 13 in the industry sector and 7 in the service sector.
• Thus for Bangladesh ILO projects, 12 576 fatal deaths in agriculture; 878 in industry
and 949 in the service sector were reported.
• OSHE Survey Findings: 829 killed, 1041 critically injured at work related incidents on
first six months of 2009, Bangladesh.

5. Prevalence of Hazardous Conditions and Risk Factors

Exposure to occupational hazards increases the risk for morbidity and mortality. The most
common hazards are:

1. Physical such as poor ventilation, poor illumination, noise, extreme temperatures, humidity
and radiation;
2. Biological such as variety of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and parasites;
3. Chemical due to hazardous gases and dusts, and
4. Ergonomic.

The most prevalent occupational practices that increase the risks for morbidity and mortality are:

1. Lack of training in occupational health safety

2. Lack of personal protective devices
3. Inadequate training in the proper use of machinery and
4. Long hours of work. The situation is further compounded by overcrowding and poor sanitary
conditions.

There is an urgent need to introduce safe industrial hygiene practices based on accurate
knowledge of existing national hazards and job-exposure matrix for reducing the risks associated
with occupational hazards.

6. Types of PPE
Depending on operation and associated hazards, it classified into following

A. Hand and arm protection

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Tasks where hand and arm protection may be required include: the manual handling of abrasive,
sharp or pointed objects, work with vibrating equipment such as pneumatic drills and chainsaws,
construction and outdoor work, work with chemicals and other hazardous substances (e.g. bodily
fluids) and work with hot or cold materials.

Hand and arm protection comes in a variety of forms, including:

9 Disposable exam gloves

9 Rubber gloves
9 Nitrile gloves
9 Neoprene gloves
9 Leather gloves
9 Non-asbestos heat-resistant gloves
9 Metal-mesh gloves for meat cutters
9 Cotton gloves
Always wear the appropriate hand and arm protection. For arm protection, wear a long-sleeved
shirt, a laboratory coat, chemical-resistant sleeves, or gauntlet-length gloves.

Follow these guidelines to ensure arm and hand safety:

9 Inspect and test new gloves for defects.
9 Always wash your hands before and after using gloves.
9 Wash chemical-protective gloves with soap and water before removing them.
9 Do not wear loose fitting gloves near moving machinery; the gloves may become caught.

B. Body Protection

Tasks where body protection may be required include: work with hazardous substances, work
next to the highway or other areas with moving transport or vehicles (e.g. construction sites),
outdoor work, forestry and grounds maintenance work.

A variety of protective clothing, including laboratory coats, long pants, rubber aprons, coveralls,
and disposable body suits are available for specific work conditions.

9 Rubber, neoprene, and plastic clothing protect employees from most acids and chemical
splashes.
9 Laboratory coats and coveralls protect employees and everyday clothing from contamination.
9 Welding aprons provide protection from sparks.

C. Ear and Hearing Protection

Hearing protection must be worn by anyone who is likely to be exposed to noise.

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Depending on your level of exposure, you may choose from the following devices:

9 Disposable earplugs
9 Reusable earplugs
9 Headband plugs
9 Sealed earmuffs

Earplugs may be better in hot, humid, or confined work areas. They may also be better for
employees who wear other PPE, such as safety glasses or hats. Earmuffs, on the other hand, may
be better for employees who move in and out of noisy areas, because the muffs are easier to
remove. Before resorting to hearing protection, attempt to control noise levels through
engineering or operational changes.

D. Eye and Face Protection

Tasks where eye protection may be required include:

9 Handling hazardous substances where there is a risk of splashing

9 Work with power driven tools where materials are likely to be propelled
9 Welding operations
9 Work with lasers
9 Using any gas or vapor under pressure.

There are several types of eye protection:

9 Safety spectacles: these are similar to regular glasses but have a tougher lens. They can
include side shields for additional protection.
9 Eye shields: a frame-less one piece mounded lens, often worn over normal prescription
glasses
9 Safety goggles: these are made with flexible plastic frames and an elastic headband
9 Face shields: heavier and bulkier than other type of eye protector, face shields protect the
face, but do not fully enclose the eyes so do not protect against dusts, mists or gases.

E. Foot Protection

Tasks where foot protection may be required include: construction, demolition, building repair,
manual handling where there is a risk of heavy objects falling on the feet, work in extremely hot
or cold environments, and work with chemicals and forestry.

There are a number of types of safety footwear:

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9 Safety boots or shoes. Normally have steel toe-caps but can have other safety features (e.g.
steel mid-soles, slip resistant soles, insulation against heat and cold)
9 Wellington boots, which can be supplied with steel toe-caps
9 Anti-static and conductive footwear. These protect against the build-up of static electricity.

F. Head Protection

Accidents that cause head injuries are difficult to anticipate or control. If hazards exist that could
cause head injury, employees should try to eliminate the hazards, but they should also wear head
protection.
Safety hats protect the head from impact, penetration, and electrical shock. Head protection is
necessary if you work where there is a risk of injury from moving, falling, or flying objects or if
you work near high-voltage equipment.
Hard hats should be water resistant, flame resistant, and adjustable.

Wear one of the following hard hats as appropriate for your work situation:

9 Class G - General service, limited voltage (2,200 Volts) protection

9 Class E - Utility service, high-voltage (20,000 Volts) protection
9 Class C - Special service, no voltage protection

Follow these guidelines for head safety:

9 Check the shell and suspension of your headwear for damage before each use. Look for
cracks, dents, gouges, chalky appearance, and torn or broken suspension threads. Discard
damaged hats or replace broken parts with replacements from the original manufacturer.
9 Discard any hat that has been struck or dropped from a great height, even if there is no
apparent damage.
9 Do not wear a hard hat backwards, unless this is necessary to accommodate other protective
equipment (e.g., welders face shield).
9 Do not paint the plastic shell of a hard hat or alter it in any way.

G. Respiratory protection

Work with harmful dusts, fumes, vapours can require respiratory protective equipment. Tasks
where respiratory protection may be required include; welding, work with harmful substances,
work in areas where large amounts of nuisance dust is present, work that creates dust (e.g. disc
cutters).

There are two main types of respiratory protective equipment:

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• Respirators that filter contaminated air or clean it as it is breathed in

• Respirators that supply clean air from an independent source.

7. The Purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The purpose of personal protective equipment is to shield or isolate individuals from the
chemical, physical, and biological hazards that may be encountered during hazardous materials
operations.
During an emergency response, it is not always apparent when exposure occurs. Many toxic
materials pose invisible hazards and offer no warning properties.

PPE must be worn whenever the wearer faces potential hazards arising from toxic exposure.
Many activities associated with emergency operations that may require the wearing of PPE are
presented below:

•  ite Survey: Individuals conducting an initial investigation of a hazardous materials

S
incident/accident site. These situations are usually characterized by a large degree of
uncertainty and mandate the highest levels of protection.
• Emergency Rescue: Individuals entering a hazardous materials area for the purpose of
removing an exposure victim. Special considerations must be given to how the selected
protective clothing may affect the ability of the wearer to carry out rescue operations.
• Hazard Mitigation: Individuals entering a hazardous materials area to prevent a potential
toxic release or to reduce the hazards from an existing release. Protective clothing must
accommodate the required tasks without sacrificing adequate protection.
• Monitoring/Supervision: Individuals entering a hazardous materials area for the explicit
purpose of observing and directing work operations or preventing unnecessary safety risks.
• Decontamination: Individuals providing decontamination support to personnel or equipment
leaving the contaminated site. It is important that responders realize that no single
combination of protective equipment and clothing is capable of protecting against all
hazards. Thus, PPE should always be used in conjunction with other protective methods. For
example, proper decontamination and engineering or administrative controls should always
be employed as additional measures for preventing exposure.

8. The Requirement for Personal Protective Equipment

To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative efforts
of both employers and employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful
work environment.

In general, employers are responsible for:

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• 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.

In general, employees should:

• Properly wear PPE.

• Attend training sessions on PPE.
• Care for, clean and maintain PPE.
• Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.

9. When can PPE be used?

Personal protective equipment is the least effective way of controlling risks to health and safety
and should only be used as a temporary measure until better control methods are put in place.
Employers must first try to eliminate or remove hazards in the workplace. Where this is not
possible or practicable, other control methods should be used, such as:

• Substitution: Can a less harmful substance be used, or can the substance be used in a less
harmful form (e.g. pellets instead of powder)?
• Isolation: Can the process be isolated from the operator? Noisy machines enclosed? Guards
installed?
• Engineering controls: Can ventilation be installed or plant and machinery be modified to
capture contaminants? Can silencers be fitted?
• Administrative controls: Can the time spent on the task be reduced?

If there is still exposure to risk after these control measures have been tried, then suitable PPE
should be provided. PPE can also be used effectively in conjunction with other measures to
adequately reduce the level of risk.

PPE is typically needed for the following types of activities:

• Irregular short duration operations, such as maintenance inspections and entry into confined
spaces;
• Jobs where location continually changes and fixed engineering controls are not appropriate.

10. Choosing and Using PPE

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To allow the right type of PPE to be chosen, carefully consider the different hazards in the
workplace. This will enable you to assess which types of PPE are suitable to protect against the
hazard and for the job to be done.

Criteria for choosing PPE should be that they

• Provide adequate protection for the worker

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations
• Meet company standard
• Not cause undue discomfort and doesn’t create new hazards
• Detailed evaluation of the risk and performance requirements for the PPE;
• Ensuring compatibility of PPE items where more than one type of PPE is required e.g. ear
muffs with a hard hat
• Consideration of workers’ medical conditions and fitting requirements;

Consider why and for how long the PPE is needed, such as
• For a short time due to a temporary process or in case of temporary breakdown of
engineering controls
• For long term, regular use
• To compensate for lack of engineering control or inadequate control
• During handling of substances, clean-up of spills, repair of equipment
• To comply with law and regulations.

Also consider the

• Nature and size of the hazard
• Degree of protection the PPE will provide
• How easy the PPE is to use and how well the worker will accept using the PPE.

Proper fit is important:

A proper fit ensures maximum effectiveness of the equipment, and that the equipment itself does
not cause discomfort or pose a further hazard.

11. Assessing suitable PPE

Consider the following when assessing whether PPE is suitable:

• Is it appropriate for the risks involved and the conditions at the place where exposure to the
risk may occur? For example, eye protection designed for providing protection against

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agricultural pesticides will not offer adequate face protection for someone using an angle
grinder to cut steel or stone.
• Does it prevent or adequately control the risks involved without increasing the overall level
of risk?
• Can it be adjusted to fit the wearer correctly?
• Has the state of health of those who will be wearing it been taken into account?
• What are the needs of the job and the demands it places on the wearer? For example, the
length of time the PPE needs to be worn, the physical effort required to do the job and the
requirements for visibility and communication.
• If more than one item of PPE is being worn, are they compatible? For example, does a
particular type of respirator make it difficult to get eye protection to fit properly?

12. PPE Plans

If personal protective equipment is to be used to minimize exposure to hazards, a Personal

Protective Equipment Plan should be developed.

As part of this plan, determine and record:

• The basis for selecting each type of equipment used in the workplace;
• Necessary medical data, such as the results of individual hearing tests undertaken prior to and
periodically during exposure to noise;
• Worker training needs;
• Exclusive use of personal protective equipment by workers, where relevant;
• Fitting requirements for individual items of personal protective equipment;
• Cleaning and disinfecting procedures;
• Storage requirements of the equipment;
• Maintenance and/or replacement requirements.

The personal protective equipment plan should allow for periodic assessments to ensure that the
equipment is used properly and is effective.

13. How it works/ Procedure

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Rule OHSE, ILO, WAC 296-800-160 says you must
1. Do a Hazard Assessment for PPE and document it
2. Select and provide appropriate PPE to your employees
3. Provide training to your employees and document it
4. Make sure your employees use their PPE properly
5. Make sure PPE is in safe and good condition

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1. Do a Hazard Assessment for PPE and document it

The first critical step in developing a comprehensive safety and health program is to identify
physical and health hazards in the workplace. This process is known as a “hazard assessment.”
Potential hazards may be physical or health-related, and a comprehensive hazard assessment
should identify hazards in both categories. Supervisors must conduct a walkthrough survey the
workplace to determine if hazards are present or likely to be present. The objective is to prepare
for an analysis of the hazards in the work environment to enable proper selection of protective
equipment. To organize the hazard assessment data, the

Consideration should be given to the basic hazard categories:

• Impact
• Penetration
• Compression (rollover)
• Chemical
• Heat
• Harmful dust
• Light (optical) radiation

During the walkthrough survey, supervisors should observe:

• Sources of motion (i.e., machinery or processes where any movement of tools, machine
elements or particles could exist, or movement of personnel that could result in collision with
stationary objects)
• Sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye injury or ignition of protective
equipment, etc.;
• Types of chemical exposures;
• Sources of harmful dust;
• Sources of light radiation (i.e., welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, heat treating, high
intensity lights, etc.)
• Sources of falling objects or potential for dropping objects;
• Sources of sharp objects which might pierce the feet or cut the hands;
• Sources of rolling or pinching objects which could crush the feet;
• Layout of workplace and location of coworkers; and
• Any electrical hazards.

When the walk-through is complete, the employer should organize and analyze the data so that it
may be efficiently used in determining the proper types of PPE required at the worksite. The
employer should become aware of the different types of PPE available and the levels of
protection offered. It is definitely a good idea to select PPE that will provide a level of protection
greater than the minimum required to protect employees from hazards.
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Document (on paper or electronically, as long as it is available to safety and health personnel
from the Department of Labor and Industries) that the PPE hazard assessment has been done
with the information as requirement. Documentation of the hazard assessment is required
through a written certification that includes the following information:

• Identification of the workplace evaluated,

• Name of the person conducting the assessment,
• Date of the assessment,
• Identification of the document certifying completion of the hazard assessment.

Reassess hazards
The workplace should be periodically reassessed for any changes in conditions, equipment or
operating procedures that could affect occupational hazards. This periodic reassessment should
also include a review of injury and illness records to spot any trends or areas of concern and
taking appropriate corrective action. The suitability of existing PPE, including an evaluation of
its condition and age, should be included in the reassessment.

2. Select and provide appropriate PPE to your employees

If PPE is determined to be necessary, select PPE for your employees that are suitably matched to
the hazard to provide the appropriate protection. The PPE must be of safe design and
construction for the work.

Discuss the selections with the employees required to use the PPE and provide them with the
appropriate PPE that
• Is durable.
• Fits snugly to assure maximum protection.
• Doesn’t interfere with the employees movements.

PPE items/devices are not one size fits all. PPE that fits poorly will not properly protect the
wearer and may make it more difficult to work. For example, loose-fitting protective clothing
can get caught in moving machine parts; poorly fitting gloves will increase the effort required to
do a job. Also, an employee is less likely to use PPE that causes discomfort.

3. Provide training to your employees and document it

There are several ways in which you can provide your employees with the proper training on the
PPE they are required to use. You can
• Provide your own training

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• Borrow safety and health videotapes

• Call your local Labor Offices Consultation Services for free assistance with your training
program. and/or
• Seek the services of an outside consultant specializing in safety and health

In Training/Education session must include

• How to properly fit and wear it
• When it should be worn
• How to care for it and identify when it requires repair, cleaning and disposal
• Hazards they are working with and how the PPE will provide them with protection
• Any legislative requirements that may apply
• The consequences of not wearing the PPE.

4. Make sure your employees use their PPE properly

Make sure that your employees are using required PPE properly and are following the policies
and procedures regarding PPE established at your work place. Have supervisors or lead workers
regularly monitor, supervise, reinforce, and enforce the correct use and care of PPE by
employees. Provide follow-up training if necessary to ensure that each employee has the
adequate skill, knowledge, and ability to use his/her personal protective equipment.

5. Make sure PPE is in safe and good condition

Make sure that PPE is inspected before each use, and that it is cleaned and maintained according
to manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions. Cleaning is particularly important for eye
and face protection where dirty or fogged lenses could impair vision.

14. PPE program

A PPE program must be comprehensive. It requires commitment and active participation at the
planning, development, and implementation stages from all levels: senior management,
supervisors, and workers. A good PPE program consists of these essential elements:

• workplace survey
• selection of appropriate controls
• selection of appropriate PPE
• fitting
• training
• management support
• maintenance

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• auditing of the program

The organization's occupational health and safety policy should be a statement of principles and
general rules which serve as guides to action. Senior management must be committed to ensuring
that the policy and procedures are carried out. PPE programs must be, and must be seen to have
equal importance with all other organizational policies, procedures, and programs.

The overall goal of a safer workplace is supported by a careful promotional strategy. This
strategy focuses on:

• Commitment by management and workers to the program and a sense of responsibility for it
• The reasons for the program, and
• How the program will work.

The success of the PPE program depends upon winning the cooperation and support of all those
concerned. This can best be achieved by helping workers understand the need to wear the PPE,
and by encouraging them to want to wear it rather than demanding that they do so. Success is
more likely to be accomplished if it is shown that controls at the source and along the path have
been addressed comprehensively and effectively. It may help to have an education program
within the work environment, using seminars, films, and best of all, one-on-one discussions. The
use of posters and envelope stuffers can assist in the promotion of the program, but should not be
used as the only means of promotion.

Many of the safety equipment suppliers may be able to help with promotion as can safety
associations and government agencies. Naturally, the education process should be supported by a
clear company policy that assigns responsibility for the use of PPE and which is firmly backed.

15. Storage for PPE

• Where PPE is provided, adequate storage facilities for PPE must be provided for when it is
not in use, unless the employee may take PPE away from the workplace (e.g. footwear or
clothing).
• Accommodation may be simple (e.g. pegs for waterproof clothing or safety helmets) and it
need not be fixed (e.g. a case for safety glasses or a container in a vehicle).
• Storage should be adequate to protect the PPE from contamination, loss, damage, damp or
sunlight.
• Where PPE may become contaminated during use, storage should be separate from any
storage provided for ordinary clothing.

16. Provision and replacement of PPE

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Some organizations and departments operate central stores that deal with the provision of PPE.
In most cases, individual units/service areas are responsible for arranging the supply of required
PPE to staff. Regardless of the arrangements for supply, it is a management responsibility to
ensure the provision of correct PPE.

When considering arrangements for providing replacement PPE it must be remembered that
unless a task requiring PPE can be stopped, avoided or delayed until new PPE is obtained,
replacement PPE must always be readily available.

17. Limitations of Protective Equipment

The use of any type of personal protection equipment requires adequate training. The overall
goals of training are to protect the wearer from physical hazards (biological, chemical,
radioactive) and to prevent injury from improper use or equipment malfunction.

Personal protection equipment has its limitations:

• Takes time to put on: PPE takes the longest time to put on.
• Difficult to perform tasks while wearing the equipment: Some first responders or emergency
care personnel may experience difficulty in performing some life-saving interventions.
• Hard to move around while wearing the equipment: Mobility decreases with weight.
Mobility also is limited by using a SAR, because the wearer must retrace his or her steps
along the supplied air line to exit the hot zone.
• Difficult to communicate: Someone wearing a face piece or mask is difficult to understand.
• Hard to see: Face pieces also may limit the wearer's visual field.
• Full protection suits become hot inside: Encapsulation and moisture-impermeable CPC
material lead to heat stress.
• Increased weight: Level A with SCBA is the heaviest PPE.
• Psychological stress: Encapsulation increases the psychological stress to wearers and victims.
• Can’t wear suits for long periods of time: Wearing level A PPE for longer than 30 minutes is
difficult.
• Limited oxygen availability: SCBAs only can be used for the period of time allowed by the
air in the tank. APRs only can be used in environments in which the outside air provides
sufficient oxygen.

18. Responsibilities for PPE

In workplace, Management must ensure that:

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• The needs for PPE are assessed by a person who is competent to judge whether other
methods of risk control can offer better protection of safety and health than the provision of
PPE.
• Professional advice is obtained, where necessary, to identify the most suitable types of PPE
for the tasks to be carried out.
• Training is provided to supervisors and employees to enable them to ensure the proper
selection, fit, use, cleaning and maintenance of PPE.
• Supervision and enforcement of the PPE policy is undertaken.
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of the PPE program is carried out on a regular basis.
• Suitable PPE is provided for visitors who may be exposed to hazards in the workplace.
Equipment shall be properly cleaned before re-issue.
• All equipment shall comply with current relevant Standards and should be stamped or
labeled with compliance marking. Existing PPE shall be re-assessed regularly to ensure
compliance.

19. 8 Ways to Get Workers to Wear PPE

1. Set an example
There’s nothing more embarrassing to us safety geeks than being accused – or even worse,
caught at – not “walking our talk”. You must SHOW your peers and co-workers that you are not
above the rules and regulations by using PPE in your workplace wherever it is required.

2. Allow no exceptions
There must be zero exceptions. If it is a requirement that PPE be used in a designated work area,
then adhere to the policy or the procedure.
Instead, SHOW your workers where to obtain the appropriate PPE and take the time to SHOW
them how to don and use it correctly. Explain to them that their contribution and hard work is
valued and that remaining injury free is an important part of reaching and maintaining your
organization’s goals.

3. Don’t look the other way

The absolute worst thing you can do regarding the proper use PPE is let someone get away
without it when it is required. If you ever witness a violation of use, never ignore it. There is a
very well-known poem that still circulates around the safety profession that SHOWS this
situation far more effectively than I ever will.

4. Spend the money

There are few quicker returns on investment than PPE. In fact, it can be virtually immediate.
OSHA even goes so far as to say there is a $4 return for every dollar spent.

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5. It doesn’t end with training

Training isn’t the last word on a safety topic. It’s usually only the beginning. The training session
remains one of the most effective venues to SHOW workers how important PPE is in the
workplace. This is also a good place to SHOW the proper fit and care of PPE, so maybe you
won’t be faced later with the aforementioned “too hot” or “too uncomfortable” issues.

6. Give me a good reason

In use for many years now, but still worth mentioning, is the “Why I Work Safe” bulletin board.
This is simply a place for workers to pin up pictures of their loved ones to SHOW as a reminder
every time they walk by to work and go home safe. Of course I’ve seen the occasional picture of
a pet, a car and even a guitar, but they say that love is relative, right? In any case, it serves as a
visual reminder and reinforces the message.

7. Don’t let the employee off the hook

In addition to the requirements that employers provide PPE where necessary, OSHA regulations
clearly state that the worker also has a part in being responsible for safety on the job as well.
To help make this happen, make sure you SHOW each worker how to properly maintain and
store their PPE, as well as how to inspect PPE for wear, tear, and malfunctions, and how to get it
replaced. Let them know that PPE won’t work if it’s broken, in disrepair, or not cared for
properly.

8. Discipline
Unfortunately, the “D” word may be necessary to use under certain conditions. If you elect to
discipline, it is absolutely critical to discipline in a consistent manner. There is no quicker way to
diminish morale or lose credibility with your workers than to be perceived as being inconsistent
with disciplinary action. SHOW your workers you mean business by disciplining according to
your written policy and/or union contract.

20. PPE checklist

1. Are health and safety risks adequately controlled at work and can risks be eliminated or
reduced without using PPE?
2. Is PPE used only as a last resort?
3. Is PPE provided free of charge?
4. Where PPE is necessary, has an assessment been done to identify the types of PPE which are
suitable to protect against the hazard and the job to be done?
5. Are worker HS&E representatives and workers genuinely consulted about the choice of PPE?
6. Do workers have the opportunity to try out different types of PPE?
7. Is the PPE suitable and provided free of charge?
8. Does the PPE comply with quality standards?

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9. Is the PPE appropriate for the risks involved and the conditions at the place where exposure
to the risk may occur?
10. Does the PPE prevent or adequately control the risks involved without increasing the overall
level of risk?
11. Can the PPE be adjusted to fit the wearer correctly?
12. Is the PPE appropriate for women workers?
13. Has the state of health of those wearing the PPE been taken into account?
14. Have the needs of the job and demands it places on the wearer been considered, for example,
physical effort and the need to communicate?
15. If more than one item of PPE is being worn, are they compatible?
16. Is there a system of regular maintenance?
17. Is appropriate storage provided for PPE?
18. Are information, instruction and training provided for workers?
19. Do workers know how to use PPE properly?
20. Is there adequate supervision to ensure proper use of PPE?
21. Is there a procedure for reporting loss or defects in PPE?
22. Are worker HS&E representatives and members involved in decisions about the use of PPE?

21. Conclusion
Labor safety is very important matter in manufacturing but often ignored. Wearing personal protective
equipments can help workers to avoid injury during production. Promotion and encourage to use PPE is
not only action of HSE manager but also in every position and section of an organization.

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References
 

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye
and Face Protection (includes supplement and partial revision Z87.1a-1991). ANSI Z87.1-1989.
New York, NY: American National Standards Institute. 1989.
• Barker, R. L and Colette, G. C., ed.: Performance of Protective Clothing. A Symposium
Sponsored by ASTM Committee F-23. July 16-20, 1984. Raleigh, NC. ASTM Special
Publication 900. 1986. pp. 207-213.
• Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 1910, Subpart I, Sections 132-138. Personal
Protective Equipment.
• Johnson, J. S. and Anderson, K. J., ed.: Chemical Protective Clothing. Vol. 1. Akron: American
Industrial Hygiene Association. 1990.
• Forsberg, K. and Mansdorf, S. Z.: Quick Selection Guide to Chemical Protective Clothing. 1st
Edition. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. 1989.
• NIOSH. A Guide for Evaluating the Performance of Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC). DHHS
(NIOSH) Pub. No. 90-109. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
1990.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Occupational Safety and Health
Administration Technical Manual, Section VII, Chapter 1, Chemical Protective Clothing. OSHA
Instruction TED 1.15. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Labor. 1995.
• Schwope, A. D., Costas, P. P., Jackson, J. O., Stull, J. O., and Weitzman, D. J., ed., Guidelines
for Selection of Chemical Protective Clothing. 3rd ed., Vol. 1. Cincinnati: ACGIH, 1987.
• www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment
• www.fda.gov/.../PersonalProtectiveEquipment/default.htm
• www.emedicinehealth.com › home › topics az list
• ehs.okstate.edu/links/ppe.htm
• www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/ppe.html
• www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies?p=8750
• www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/minimising.../ppe.aspx
• personal-protective-safety-equipment.co.uk
• www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf
• www.reproline.jhu.edu/english/4morerh/4ip/IP.../05_PPE.pdf
• www.reproline.jhu.edu/english/4morerh/4ip/IP.../05_PPE.pdf
• www.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/videoresource/wpppe.pdf
• www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf
• www.reproline.jhu.edu/english/4morerh/4ip/IP.../05_PPE.pdf

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