Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Understanding Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for every job that involves employees working in dangerous environments or alongside hazards. However, picking the right PPE for unique situations can be confusing and difficult due to the sheer number of possible situations and combinations of PPE available. This article will cover the basics of PPE, its importance, various types, and relevant regulations, helping you choose the appropriate equipment for your facility.

What is PPE?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to specialized clothing or equipment worn by individuals to protect them from health and safety hazards. It acts as a barrier between the wearer and potential dangers like physical, chemical, radiological, biological, or electrical hazards. PPE is designed to minimize exposure to these hazards and reduce the risk of injury or illness. PPE is essential when engineering and administrative controls are not enough to reduce or eliminate risks.

Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Prevents Injuries and Illnesses: PPE is designed to protect workers from a wide range of workplace hazards, such as chemical splashes, falling objects, extreme temperatures, and noise.
• Reduces Exposure to Hazards: By creating a barrier between the worker and the hazard, PPE minimizes the risk of direct contact and potential harm.
• Essential for Emergency Response: In emergencies, PPE is vital for protecting first responders and recovery workers from various physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
• Important for Healthcare: PPE, including gloves, masks, gowns, and face shields, is essential in healthcare settings to protect both patients and healthcare providers from infection.
• Meets Legal Requirements: In many industries, the use of PPE is mandated by safety regulations to ensure a safe working environment.
• Increased Productivity: When employees feel safe, they can focus on their work with greater confidence, leading to improved performance.
• Reduced Costs: Effective PPE programs reduce workplace accidents, leading to fewer workers' compensation claims and related expenses.

While PPE offers many benefits, it’s important to note that it is most effective when used in conjunction with other safety measures, such as engineering controls and administrative controls, and when it's properly selected, fitted, and maintained.

Types of Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes various types of gear designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. Common categories of PPE include respiratory protection, eye protection, hearing protection, and skin and body protection. Let’s explore each PPE type in detail.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection

measures are essential in environments that contain dust, debris, and hazardous chemicals. If not properly protected from these hazardous airborne conditions, employees may severely damage their lungs to a point that results in permanent impairment. There are two main categories of respirators, including:

Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs): These respirators filter contaminants from the air as the wearer inhales. Examples include disposable filtering facepiece respirators (like N95s) and tight-fitting respirators with filters, cartridges, or canisters.

Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs): These respirators provide a separate source of clean breathing air, often through a hose connected to a compressor. They are suitable for environments where the air is heavily contaminated or oxygen-deficient.

Within these main categories, there are variations such as powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs), which may be used in specific situations.

Respirators are classified by their fit, with tight-fitting types, like half-face or full-face masks, and loose-fitting types, like hoods or helmets. Fit testing, either qualitative (QLFT) or quantitative (QNFT), is essential to ensure a proper seal.

Next comes the class of filters and their subsequent efficiency levels. There are three classes of filters available to choose from: N-series (not oil resistant), R-series (oil resistant), and P-series (oil proof), each with ratings (95, 99, or 100).

Selecting the right respirator depends on the hazard, filter type, and workplace conditions, all essential to ensuring employee health and safety.

Skin and Body Protection

Skin and body protection PPE includes a variety of items designed to shield the body from hazards. These include items like:

Hazard-Resistant Clothing: Hazard-resistant clothing is at the front of the line because of the countless protections different types of material can provide to their users:

Wool and treated cotton: These materials offer fire resistance, making them suitable for environments where flames or sparks are present.

Heavy fabrics: These can protect against sharp objects, cuts, and abrasions, common in manufacturing or construction settings.

Rubber: Protects against electrical hazards, acids, and certain chemicals, useful in situations involving spills or electrical work.

Disposable suits (paper-like): Offer protection against biohazards and infections, often used in healthcare or laboratories.

Face Shields: Face shields reduce the risk of injuries caused by chemicals or other substances being splashed into the face area. Whether working with hot items, corrosive materials, or biohazards, face shields can protect one of the most vulnerable parts of the body.

Hard Hats: Hard hats are a great way to keep someone's head safe when working in an area where objects are prone to falling.

Boots: There are numerous kinds of protective wear for the feet. Depending on the situation a worker is placed in, they may need steel-toed boots, rubber boots, leather boots, etc. Boots have the ability to protect the wearer’s feet in instances of blunt force, slips and falls, and even save them from electrocution.

Gloves: Very similar to boots, there are several different kinds of gloves that can be chosen from, whether that be latex, leather, rubber, cotton, or another material.

Eye Protection

Protecting the eyes is extremely important because even a minor accident can cause long-term eye damage or even blindness. Thankfully, ANSI’s Z87.1 standard exists to provide guidance on picking the correct PPE for protecting this vulnerable place on the human body. This standard covers the four identified hazards that pose a risk to workers’ eyes during daily tasks, which include:

Dust: Airborne particles like dust, sand, or wood chips can irritate or scratch the cornea.

Projectiles: Objects like metal fragments, wood splinters, or tools can cause serious eye injuries if they strike the eye at high speeds.

Droplets and Splashes: Chemicals or other liquids can splash into the eyes, causing burns or other damage.

Radiation: Exposure to harmful radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light, can lead to long-term eye damage. Long-term exposure to the Sun’s UV can also damage the eyes.

Once the hazard is identified, employers can choose suitable eye protection, such as:

Safety glasses: Offer basic protection against flying particles, dust, and debris, and can come in various styles with different lens and frame options.

Welding masks: Designed to protect the eyes from the intense light and heat of welding, often with a dark lens to filter out harmful radiation.

Polarized sunglasses: While not primarily safety eyewear, they can help protect eyes from glare and UV damage when working in bright conditions.

Eyewear used in facilities requiring ANSI-approved protection must be Z87.1-approved, with markings indicating specific protection levels. These markings are:

• Z87+ - The glasses are rated for high-velocity impact
• D3 – Splash and droplet protection
• D4 – Dust protection
• D5 – Fine dust protection
• U – UV protection
• R – Infrared light protection
• L – Visible light protection
• Z87-2 – Prescription lenses
• W – Welding protection
• H – Designed for smaller head sizes
• S – Tinted

Choosing the correct eye protection can save the employee from excruciating pain and the employer time and money in the event of a mishap. Therefore, employers must ensure employees are familiar with Z87.1 and remind them of their own duties to protect themselves by wearing the special eyewear protection given to them.

Hearing Protection

While hearing damage may not be something people realize instantly, hearing degrades over time with loud noise exposure. To combat hearing damage from loud noise, employers must follow OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.95), which dictate permissible noise exposure levels and time limits. The decibel level and amount of time an employee can be exposed are as follows:

• 90 dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 8 or more hours
• 92dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 6 or more hours
• 95dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 4 or more hours
• 97dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 3 or more hours
• 100dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 2 or more hours
• 102dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 1.5 or more hours
• 105dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 1 or more hours
• 110dB - Hearing protection required if exposed for 30 minutes
• 115dB - Noise at this volume is only safe for up to 15 minutes without protection

After measuring noise levels and determining exposure times, employers must select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for hearing protection. Understanding the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is essential for this selection. This rating measures the efficiency of different types of earplugs and earmuffs. Earplugs can reach up to an NRR of 33, while earmuffs can only reach up to 31. However, some of the best hearing protection comes from adding both types of PPE together.

The following are the different types of ear protection employees can choose from. Although it must be remembered that within these three categories of ear protection, there are different NRR ratings to take into consideration:

Earplugs - Earplugs are easy to use and provide a fair amount of protection by preventing loud noises from entering the ear at all.
Earmuffs - Earmuffs go over the entire ear, and when worn properly, can provide a significant amount of noise reduction.
Electronic Earmuffs - These advanced hearing protection devices work like earmuffs to stop the noise from coming in, but also have an electronic microphone that picks up voices and other noises and then plays them into the ear so people can still hear. The sounds are played at a low level, so they do not cause damage.

As a part of every facility’s Hearing Conservation Program, which is required by OSHA, there is a need for fit testing. Just like respirators, hearing protection must be worn correctly to provide the most effective protection against noise pollution. During this process, employees will be instructed how to wear this type of gear correctly and perform an audiometric test to ensure the right fit has been achieved. It is then the employee’s responsibility to use their hearing protection equipment to its full extent; this may require frequent reminders and further fit testing checks by employers.

OSHA Standards for Personal Protective Equipment

OSHA mandates that employers provide and pay for necessary PPE to protect employees from workplace hazards. This includes ensuring PPE fits properly, is in good condition, and is used correctly. OSHA’s PPE-related regulations are distributed across several parts and subparts, covering various industries and hazards. Here are some of these regulations:

29 CFR 1910 (General Industry):

Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment: This subpart outlines general requirements for PPE, including hazard assessment, equipment selection, and training.

Subpart G - Occupational Health and Environmental Control: Covers topics like noise exposure and nonionizing radiation.

Subpart H - Hazardous Materials: Addresses the handling and storage of various hazardous materials.

Subpart J - General Environmental Controls: Focuses on general environmental controls, including potable water and sanitation.

Subpart Q - Welding, Cutting, and Brazing: Deals with safety requirements for welding, cutting, and brazing operations.

Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances: Addresses the handling and control of toxic and hazardous substances.

29 CFR 1915 (Shipyard Employment):

Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment: Specific PPE requirements for shipyard work.

29 CFR 1917 (Marine Terminals):

Subpart E - Personal Protection: PPE requirements for marine terminal operations.

29 CFR 1918 (Longshoring):

Subpart J - Personal Protective Equipment: PPE requirements for longshoring activities.

29 CFR 1926 (Construction):

Subpart C - General Safety and Health Provisions: Covers general safety and health requirements for construction work.

Subpart E - Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment: Specific PPE requirements for construction activities.

Subpart M - Fall Protection: Deals with fall protection requirements, a critical aspect of construction PPE.

Subpart P - Excavations: Addresses safety requirements for excavations, including PPE.

This long list of OSHA regulations regarding PPE may seem exhaustive, but it is essential that everything be very clear when looking to protect employees from harm. With that being said, it is important to be familiar with the regulations that apply specifically to any one environment in a facility to be able to give them the correct amount of protection.

PPE Storage

Once a facility has purchased PPE, it needs to be stored in such a way that it is kept safe but is also available to the employees when needed. Some PPE is used every day, in which case the employees may take it home with them and wear it in to work the next day. Other times, PPE is only needed in certain situations, allowing for the gear to be stored in a room or locker at work.

When taking home PPE is not an option, employees need to know exactly where to look for the personal protective equipment they need and how to access it. If the PPE is kept in a closet, make sure that the closet is clearly labeled. This can be done using an industrial label printer or a sign. Whatever the markings may be, make sure the storage area can be seen throughout the vicinity.

Aside from accessibility, it is important to make sure that the personal protective equipment is stored neatly so it is not difficult to grab and use. Gloves should always be kept in matching pairs that can be grabbed and put on quickly, pants should be folded up neatly, masks, hazmat suits, and other tools should be arranged in a logical manner.

The number one reason why storing PPE in an organized manner is so important, is because that equipment can then be examined easily during routine inspections. Inspecting PPE before and after use is particularly important because PPE that is broken doesn’t help employees in the way it should. Identifying broken or worn PPE is part of PPE care, just like storing it properly and giving employees the right training to do so.

Properly storing PPE ensures it can be easily inspected for damage, which is essential because damaged PPE won't protect employees as intended. Inspections, along with proper storage and training, are all vital components of PPE care.

Personal Protective Equipment Safety Training for Employees

Effective PPE training is essential for workplace safety. It should be comprehensive, covering initial and refresher training, and address the use, care, and limitations of PPE. A good PPE safety training should include:

Training should also always cover how to avoid causing accidents that may require the need for extra PPE regarding cleanup efforts. Safety isn’t just a one-way road; the employees must know their responsibilities to keep themselves safe and out of danger.

PPE Safety and Requirement Signs

Once it has been determined when and where employees must wear the provided personal protective equipment, it is important to make sure employees are aware of their responsibilities. In addition to providing them with training, many companies use PPE safety signs and PPE required signs to remind workers how to keep themselves safe.

There are a handful of ways to obtain these helpful safety signs, they can be:

• Pre-printed from designs directly located on sign creator websites.
• Created in-house using an industrial grade label printer, making for labels and signs that are immediately available for use.
• Custom made if a label printer is not available and there isn’t one that fits the unique situation in the options available.

PPE signs can also be made from a variety of different materials such as:

• Durable adhesive vinyl
• Aluminum
• PVC plastic
• Magnetic material
• Reflective material
• Static cling material
• Removable adhesive

OSHA compliant sign making companies like Creative Safety Supply are here to provide everything facilities need to keep their employees safe from occupational hazards. Our signs can specify when the equipment must be worn, which type of PPE is needed, and how to properly use it to protect oneself. Any and all PPE signs serve as an excellent reminder to employees for wearing the proper equipment at all times.

Personal Protective Equipment is Effective if Used Properly

Some employees may resist using personal protective equipment (PPE), believing it's unnecessary or inconvenient. However, PPE is a proven safety measure that prevents injuries when accidents occur. Despite employee reluctance, facilities must enforce PPE use, often exceeding regulatory requirements, as it reduces injuries, increases efficiency, and prevents costly disruptions like lawsuits or downtime.

While PPE might initially slow work, the long-term benefits of improved safety and productivity outweigh the drawbacks. Therefore, all facilities need to ensure their PPE policies are clear and that employees follow them at all times. By making this mandatory, employees will quickly get used to the new protocol, and in most cases, find that it is actually a good addition for them and the entire workforce.