Module 6 - Personal Protective Equipment

This module is a very important one. Although we’ve been mentioning Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) right from the start of this course, we still feel that we
have to devote a full module to it. We must review the PPE we have already
mentioned and see if there are others that you need to be acquainted with.
Remember that PPE can save your life, or that of your co-worker.

The PPE must be considered only after engineering and administrative controls have
been found ineffective, not feasible or insufficient. It must be used only as a last
resort. The selection of PPE must comply with the existing OSH standards and using
these in the workplace must be combined with training and orientation on their
proper use, limitations and advantages.

You must monitor proper usage and maintenance of PPE in order to attain satisfactory
performance and properly administer the PPE program in your area of responsibility.

This module thus aims to impart the proper usage of PPE to the learner in order to
prevent accidents at work.

Objectives

Working on this module should help you to:

 distinguish the appropriate type of PPE you need in your workplace
 know the limitation of PPE
 develop programs to introduce PPE for your company

Defining hazards

What is a hazard? A hazard is anything that produces adverse effects on anyone.

Examples of hazards are slippery floors, falling objects, chemicals and many more.
What do you think make these occurrences hazardous? As we discussed in Unit 1,
Module 3, unsafe/unhealthy acts bring about unsafe/unhealthy conditions, causing
hazards in the workplace. Although some hazards are intrinsic in nature or force
majeure, a human hand is still behind most of the hazards we now encounter.
Classification of hazards

Hazards may be classified into direct, physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic.
Let us discuss each of these.

A. Direct hazards – These are very common in companies that utilize oil, water or
any liquid in the production process and in the construction industry where
there are a lot of falling debris, like small pieces of wood, nails, and hand tools.

Examples:
 Unguarded moving parts of machines
 Falling/flying particles
 Slippery floors

B. Physical hazards

1. Noise.

The following table is the allowable time a worker can stay in a work area
without hearing protection.

Allowable Exposure to Noise

8 hrs --- 90 db
4 hrs --- 95 db
2 hrs --- 100 db
1 hr --- 105 db

For an eight-hour exposure, the allowable noise level is 90 db.

2. Extreme Temperatures are of two types: extreme heat which can

cause heat stroke and extreme cold which can cause hypothermia.

3. Radiation also has two types: the ionizing radiation and the non-
ionizing type.

Ionizing radiation
 Ultraviolet (UV) light or alpha particle - from the sun can be
shielded by paper
 Beta particle – can penetrate paper but not concrete. .
 Gamma ray – can penetrate concrete. This can be shielded by
using lead like in the x-ray room which is made up of sheeted
lead in-between concrete to prevent outside exposure.

Non-ionizing radiation
 radio waves, electric waves and infrared rays. An example is the
welding process which produces infrared rays that can damage
the skin.
 Radiation is dangerous because it cannot be detected by the five senses
but it destroys the cells and tissues of living organisms, and has long-term
effects.

Three safety practices for controlling body exposure to radiation:

a. Time – the shorter the time, the lower the exposure received
b. Distance – the greater distance, the lower the exposure received
c. Shielding – may be lead, steel, iron or concrete

4. Extreme Pressure – These are pressures beyond the allowable levels

needed by the human body. Normal atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi,
and even a small change in the atmospheric pressure has a
corresponding effect to humans. Examples of workers exposed to
extreme pressure are those involved in excavation work, scuba diving,
and piloting airplanes.

5. Vibration

C. Chemical Hazards – These are substances in solid, liquid or gaseous forms

known to cause poison, fire, explosion or ill effects to health. Examples include
gases, fumes, vapor, mist and dust. These are airborne particles or airborne
toxic elements that evaporate in the air and can cause irritation, discomfort
and even death.

Chemical routes of entry to the body are by inhalation, ingestion and skin
absorption.

D. Biological Hazards – These are hazards caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria.

E. Ergonomic Hazards – These are caused by improper posture or postural stress.

Hazard control measures

There are three methods in controlling hazards: engineering, administrative and PPE.

Engineering method – this is the application of engineering technology to

control hazards. An example is machine guarding which prevent anyone from
coming in contact with moving parts of a machine during the operation. Other
examples are installation of safety devices like emergency stop, limit, grab-wire
and photo electric switches. These prevent accidents in case of improper work
practices.

Other forms of the engineering method involve substituting hazardous

substances with less hazardous ones (substitution) and isolating hazardous
process (isolation).
 Administrative method – this aims to minimize the exposure of humans to
workplace hazards and employs administrative approaches such as rotation
and shifting.

PPE – these are considered as the last line of defense. These devices provide
limited protection to the ones using them.

Source: Krieger, Gary R, ed. “Accident Prevention Manual for Business and Industry 11th ed”.
USA: National Safety Council, 1997 p.161

Program to introduce PPE

Once it is decided that personal protective equipment is going to be used, then the
following steps need to be undertaken:
1. write a policy on the usage of PPE and communicate it to employees and
visitors as needed
2. select the proper type of equipment
3. implement a thorough training program
4. ensure that employees knows the correct use and maintenance of the
equipment
5. enforce proper use and maintenance of PPE

Policy

The policy should state the need for the use of PPE. It may also contain exceptions or
limitations on the use of PPE.

Selection of Proper Equipment

After the need for personal protective equipment has been established, the next step
is to select the proper type.

In selecting the proper protector, consideration should be given to the kind and
degree of hazard. Where a choice of protectors is given and the degree of protection
required is not an important issue, worker’s comfort may be a deciding factor.

The first step in selecting PPE for respiratory protection is to contact a supplier.
Manufacturers and distributors do not just helping the selection of the most useful
equipment, but can give valuable aid in fit-sizing, cleaning, care and storage.
Proper Training

The next step is to obtain the workers complete compliance with requirements to
wear the PPE. Several factors influence compliance, among them are:

 The extent to which the personnel who must wear the equipment understand
its necessity
 The ease and comfort with which it can be used, or work with a minimum of
interference with normal work procedures

A training program outline may include:

 Describing hazards and/or conditions in the workplace
 Telling what can/cannot be done about them
 Explaining why certain types of PPE have been selected
 Discussing the capabilities and/or limitation of the PPE
 Demonstrating how to use, adjust or fit PPE
 Practicing using PPE
 Explaining to workers how to deal with emergencies
 Discussing how PPE will be paid for, maintained, repaired and cleaned.

Maintenance Program

All equipment must be inspected periodically before and after use. A record of all
inspections with the date, tabulated results, the recommendation of the manufacturer
for the maintenance of the device, and the repair and replacement of parts supplied
by the manufacturer of the product should be kept.

Enforcement

Employees need to know how the use of PPE will be enforced. Many companies have
some kind of disciplinary actions, such as unpaid time-off, and finally, termination.
The enforcement of the use of PPE is critical to a successful program.
Uses of PPE

You can check out many websites on the Internet that describe and sell various PPE.
Commonly used PPE in the workplace include: helmet, respirator, spectacles,
earplugs, gloves, safety shoes, etc. The following are the functions and uses of PPE.

1. Head Protection

A safety hat is a device that provides head protection against impact from
falling objects and protection against electrocution. Safety hats should be
inspected prior to each use. Any one of the following defects is a cause for
immediate removal of the PPE from service:

 Suspension systems that show evidence of material cracking, tearing,

fraying or other signs of deterioration. Suspension should provide a
minimum clearance of 1 to 1.25 in. (2.5 – 3.2 cm) between the top of the
worker’s head and the inside crown of the hat.

 Any cracks or perforations of brim or shell, deformation of shell, evidence

of exposure to excessive heat, chemicals or radiation. Shells made of
polymer plastics are susceptible to damage from ultraviolet light and
gradual chemical degradation. This degradation first appears as a loss of
surface gloss called chalking. With further deterioration, the surface will
begin to flake away.

2. Eye Protection

A device that provides eye protection from hazards caused by:

o Flying particles
o Sparks
o Light radiation
o Splashes
o Gases

Goggles come in a number of different styles for a variety of uses such as

protecting against dust and splashes: eye cups, flexible or cushioned goggles,
plastic eye shield goggles and foundry men’s goggles.
 Eye protectors must meet the following minimum requirements:

o Provide adequate protection against the particular hazards for which

they are designed
o Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions
o Fit snugly without interfering with the movements or vision of the
wearer
o Be durable
o Be capable of being disinfected
o Be easily cleaned
o Be kept clean and in good condition

3. Face Shields

Face shields should only be used as eye and face protection in areas where
splashing or dusts, rather than impact resistance is the problem. In the case
of grinding operations (plus other operations), a face shield is only secondary
protection to other protective devices, such as safety goggles.

4. Ear Protection

Hazard:
o excessive noise - Noise exceeding 85-90 dB or more on eight hour
exposure.

Examples: Ear plug

Ear muffs
Canal caps

The prevention of excessive noise exposure is the only way to avoid hearing
damage. Engineering and administrative controls must be used if acceptable
sound levels are exceeded. If such controls fail to reduce the sound levels to
acceptable limits, personal hearing protection must be used.

Earmuffs must make a perfect seal around the ear to be effective.

5. Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is required when engineering improvements and

administrative controls can’t eliminate risk. Engineering controls include,
isolation of the source of contaminants; design process or procedural changes,
etc. Administrative controls on the other hand include, monitoring, limiting
worker exposure, training and education, etc.
Hazards:
o Mists or Vapors
o Gases
o Smoke
o Fumes
o Particulates or dust
o Insufficient oxygen supply

Types of respirators are divided into two categories:

A. Air purifying respirators

o Particulate respirators or mechanical filters - screen out dust, fog,

fume, mist spray or smoke. Such filters need to be replaced at frequent
intervals.

o Chemical cartridge devices - remove contaminants by passing the

tainted air through material that traps the harmful portions. There are
specific cartridges for specific contaminants. These should be used and
no substitutions should be made.

B. Air supplying devices

o Self-contained are those where the air supply is easily transportable

and they protect against toxic gases and lack of oxygen. A common
example is the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), where the
air tank is strapped to the wearer’s back.

o Supplied-air respirators get air through an air line or hose. The

breathable air is supplied by an air compressor or uncontaminated
ambient air.

Air Contaminants – are divided into four types, gaseous, particulate,

combination of gaseous and particulate and oxygen deficiency.

o Gaseous contaminants include gases and vapors.

o Particulate contaminants include dust, fumes, mist, fog and smoke.
o Combination contaminants usually consist of gaseous materials and
particulates and result from operations such as paint spraying.
o Oxygen-deficient atmospheres are those that have less than 19.5
percent by volume. They often occur in confined spaces and are
considered to be immediately dangerous to life and health.
6. Hand and Arm Protection

Hand and arm protection is required when workers’ hands are exposed to
hazards such as harmful substances that can be absorbed by the skin, severe
cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, chemical burns, thermal burns, and
temperature extremes.

Examples of hand protection

appropriate gloves
hand pads
barrier cream
sleeves (for arm protection)

Hazards:
o Pinch points
o Hot surfaces
o Chemical substances
o Sharp objects
o Electrical

Selection of hand PPE shall be based on an evaluation of the performance

characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s) to be performed,
conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards identified.

Gloves are often relied upon to prevent cuts, abrasions, burns, and skin
contact with chemicals that are capable of causing local or systemic effects
following dermal exposure. There is no one type of gloves that provides
protection against all potential hand hazards, and commonly available glove
materials provide limited protection against many chemicals. Therefore, it is
important to select the most appropriate glove for a particular application and
to determine how long it can be worn, and whether it can be reused.

It is also important to know the performance characteristics of gloves relative

to the specific hazard anticipated; e.g., chemical hazards, cut hazards, flame
hazards, etc. Before purchasing gloves, request documentation from the
manufacturer that the gloves meet the appropriate test standard(s) for the
hazard(s) anticipated.
 The following is a guide to the most common types of protective work gloves
and the types of hazards they can guard against.

a. Metal mesh, leather or canvas gloves - Provide protection against cuts,

burns, and sustained heat.

b. Fabric and coated fabric gloves - These gloves are made of cotton or other
fabric to provide varying degrees of protection.

c. Chemical and liquid-resistant gloves - Gloves made of rubber (latex, nitrile,

or butyl), plastic, or synthetic rubber-like materials such as neoprene
protect workers from burns, irritation, and dermatitis caused by contact
with oils, greases, solvents, and other chemicals. The use of rubber gloves
also reduces the risk of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious
substances.

7. Foot and Leg Protection

Hazards:
o Falling or rolling objects
o Sharp objects
o Hot surfaces
o Wet, slippery surfaces
o Electricity

Conductive Shoes protect against the buildup of static electricity or equalize

the electrical potential between personnel and the ground. These shoes should
be worn only for the specific task(s) for which they are designed, and should be
removed at task completion and not used as general purpose footwear. This
type of shoes must not be used by personnel working near exposed energized
electrical circuits. Personnel must avoid wearing 100 percent silk, wool, or
nylon hose of socks with conductive hose because these materials are static
producers. Likewise, foot powders must be avoided because they are
insulators and interfere with electrical conductivity.

Electrical Hazard Safety Shoes are non-conductive and protect against open
circuits of 600 volts or less under dry conditions. The insulating qualities may
be compromised if the shoes are wet, the rubber sole is worn out, or metal
particles are embedded in the sole or heel. Electrical hazard shoes are not
intended for use in explosive or hazardous locations where conductive
footwear is required. This footwear should be used in conjunction with
insulated surfaces.
8. Fall Protection

Travel restraint system is an assembly composed of body belt and proper

accessories that prevent a worker in a high elevation working area from
traveling to an edge where the occurrence of fall may happen.

Fall arrest system is an assembly composed of full-body harness, safety

lanyard and proper accessories or a safety net which protect a worker after a
fall by stopping the fall before hitting the surface below.

Lifelines shall be secured above the point of operation to an anchorage or

other structural member.

9. Torso/ Full Body Protection must be provided for employees if they are
threatened with bodily injury of one kind or another while performing their
jobs, and if engineering, work practices, and administrative controls have failed
to eliminate these hazards.

Workplace hazards that could cause bodily injury include the following:
o Intense heat
o Splashes of hot metals and other hot liquids
o Impact from tools, machinery, and other materials
o Cuts
o Hazardous chemicals
o Contact with potentially infectious materials, like blood
o Radiation

As with all protective equipment, protective clothing is available to protect

against specific hazards. Depending upon the hazards in the workplace, it may
be needed to provide the workers with one or more of the following:

o Vest
o Jacket
o Apron
o Coverall
o Surgical gowns
o Full-body suits

These protective clothing come in a variety of materials, each suited to

particular hazards. These materials include the following:

o Paper-like fiber - Disposable suits made of this material provide

protection against dust and splashes.

o Treated wool and cotton - Adapts well to changing workplace

temperatures and is comfortable as well as fire resistant.
 o Duck - This closely woven fabric protects employees against cuts and
bruises while they handle heavy, sharp, or rough materials.

o Leather - Leather protective clothing is often used against dry heat and
flame.

o Rubberized fabrics, neoprene, and plastics - protective clothing made

from these materials protect against certain acids and other chemicals.

Be aware that different materials will protect against different and physical
hazards. When chemical or physical hazards are present, check with the
clothing manufacturer to make sure that the material selected will provide
protection from the specific chemical of physical hazards in the workplace.

Rule 1080

Rule 1080 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) requires employers
to provide appropriate personal protective equipment to workers. Employers can be
held liable if they fail to furnish their workers with the necessary PPE.

1081 General Provisions:

1081.01
Every employer shall at his/her own expense furnish his/her workers
with protective equipment for the eyes, face, hands and feet,
protective shields and barriers whenever necessary by reason of the
hazardous nature of the process or environment, chemical or
radiological or other mechanical irritants or hazards capable of causing
injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through
absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

1081.02
All protective equipment shall be of approved design and construction
appropriate for the exposure and the work to be performed.

1081.03
The employer shall be responsible for the adequacy and proper
maintenance of personal protective equipment used in his workplace.

1081.04
No person shall be subjected or exposed to hazardous environmental
condition without protection.
Commonly asked questions and answers

Q. When must I provide PPE?

A: You must provide PPE for employees if:
o Their work environment presents a hazard or is likely to present a
hazard to any part of their bodies;
o Their work processes present a hazard or are likely to present a hazard
to any part of their body;
o During their work, they might come into contact with hazardous
chemicals, radiation, or mechanical irritants;
o You are unable to eliminate their exposure or potential exposure to the
hazard by engineering, work practice, or administrative control.

Q: If employees wear eyeglasses with prescription lenses, may I consider these as

eye protection?
A: No. Eye glasses designed for ordinary wear do not provide the level of
protection necessary to protect against workplace hazards. Special care must
be taken when choosing eye protectors for employees who wear eyeglasses
with corrective lenses such as the following:

o Prescription spectacles, with sideshields and protective lenses meeting

the requirements of the standard, that also correct the individual
employee’s vision.
o Goggles that can fit comfortably over corrective eyeglasses without
disturbing the alignment of the eyeglasses.
o Goggles that incorporate corrective lenses mounted behind protective
lenses.
You also must provide protective eyewear to employees who wear contact
lenses and are exposed to potential eye injury. Eye protection provided to
these employees may also incorporate corrective eyeglasses. Thus, if an
employee must don eyeglasses in the event of contact lens failure or loss, he
or she will still be able to use the same protective eyewear.

Q: Could employees wearing hard hats and working at elevations create a

potential hazard for the employees working below?
A: To protect employees working below, you must provide chin straps for the
protective helmets worn by employees working at higher elevations such as
aerial lifts or at the edge of a pit. The chin straps should be designed to
prevent the hard hats from being bumped off the employee’s heads.

Q: Is there one kind of glove that will protect against all workplace hazards?
A: No. The nature of the hazard(s) and the operation to be performed will
determine your selection of gloves. The variety of potential occupational hand
injuries may make selecting the appropriate pair of gloves more difficult than
choosing other protective equipment. Exercise care in choosing gloves
designed for the particular circumstances of your workplace.
Q: Why should workers be outfitted with the more expensive
industrial respirators when look alike “nuisance masks” are
available?
A: Respirators filter toxic dusts and mists commonly found in industrial
and manufacturing settings, such as welding, grinding, sanding,
and maintenance or repair applications. Respirators meet
minimum performance standards and the government approved
agencies certify them.

A “nuisance dust mask” on the other hand, has no approved

government certification and meets no government performance
standards. Nuisance dust masks should not be used when
exposures to hazardous conditions may exist. The filtration
efficiency of nuisance dust mask is lower and the face seal around
the nose and mouth is less effective than that of approved
respirators.

Q: Is cotton sufficient as earplugs?

A: Plain cotton does not effectively protect against occupational noise.
You may, however, choose from several products that are
effective at protecting your employees’ hearing. Appropriate
hearing protectors include: single-use earplugs, pre-formed or
molded earplugs, canal caps, and earmuffs.

Q: Once I have selected the specific PPE for my workers, how do I

make sure they use it properly?
A: Train your workers to use the protective equipment. Teach them to know…
o Why the PPE is necessary as well as the specific hazards in
their work area.
o How the equipment will provide protection to them.
o The limitations of the PPE
o How to properly put on the protective equipment
o How to identify signs of wear such as scuffed, cracked, holes, etc.
o How to clean and maintain the PPE
o The company PPE policy, rules and regulations

Summary

To sum it up, you must consider many factors when selecting PPE to
protect yourself, your colleagues or your workers from workplace
hazards. With all of the types of operations that can present hazards and
all of the types of PPE available to protect the different parts of a
worker’s body from specific types of hazards, this selection process can
be confusing and at times overwhelming. Because of this, it is highly
recommended that you implement a PPE Program to help you
systematically assess the hazards in the workplace and select the
appropriate PPE that will protect your workers from those hazards.

The basic information presented here attempts to establish and illustrate

a logical, structured approach to hazard assessment and PPE selection
and application for you to use as a starting point for your PPE Program.