PPE Questions and Answers

Question 1

What are the "Dos" and "Don'ts" of PPE?

Accepted Answer

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn to minimize exposure to potential dangers, keeping employees protected from any hazards which may be present in the workplace. Ensuring that the correct PPE is provided is a necessity to ensure its effectiveness. In this article, we discuss some of the key PPE dos and don'ts alongside some examples to help put the importance

Question 2

What Types of Hearing Protectors are Available?

Accepted Answer

When people think of workplace safety, they often overlook one of the most common hazards that exist in most places. Sound. Machines, large fans, vehicles, and other things all contribute to producing noises that can cause damage to people&rsquo;s hearing. Whether that is from sudden very loud noises or constant lower-level noises, hearing protection is an extremely important part of

Question 3

Is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) A Hazard Control Method?

Accepted Answer

When most people think about how to stay safe in the workplace, they picture things like hard hats, fire-resistant gear, respirators, and other similar things. These are all examples of personal protective equipment (PPE). While there is no doubt that PPE is an important part of an overall safety effort, it should not be the only thing that is used. Modern

Question 4

What Does PFAS (Personal Fall Arrest System) Stand For?

Accepted Answer

There are many times when a worker needs to climb a ladder, get up on scaffolding, or otherwise work high up above the ground. While this is often necessary, it is also very dangerous. When someone makes a slight slip, they could fall causing serious injuries or even death to themselves or anyone who happens to be below them. To

Question 5

What is a FIT Test (for Respirators)?

Accepted Answer

Water is one of the most used substances in many facilities. It is used for things like drinking, cleaning, cooling, fire suppression, and much more. It is also one of the most common ingredients used in making different foods. All this means that most facilities will have one or more different water pipes that travel throughout the area. Learning how

Question 6

When is high visibility clothing needed?

Accepted Answer

Hi-vis personal protective equipment is worn by workers in low-light environments or poor visibility conditions. Also known as high-visibility safety apparel (HVSA), it encompasses a range from clothing like neon yellow safety jackets, bright orange vests, lime-colored pants with reflective stripes, and even fluorescent rain gear. The Federal Highway Worker Visibility Rule Anyone working on or near federal aid highways or public

Question 7

What is in a PPE kit?

Accepted Answer

A PPE kit, or personal protection equipment kit, is a set of PPE items that are kept together for use when needed. There can be many different types of PPE kits, each designed for a specific purpose. Having all the relevant PPE together in one kit will make it easier to ensure employees who need it do not forget an

Question 8

What does SCBA stand for?

Accepted Answer

SCBA stands for self-contained breathing apparatus, sometimes called industrial breathing sets. Typically used by firefighters and in industrial workplaces, SBCAs are a type of respirator used when the atmosphere is immediately dangerous to life or health. An SCBA provides breathable air where oxygen deficiency, smoke, dangerous gases, or other airborne contaminants present. SCBAs were also prescribed to medical staff during

Question 9

What does APR stand for?

Accepted Answer

Air-purifying respirators, commonly known an APRs come in handy when working in hazardous environments. They can be seen in situations where healthcare professionals are dealing with infectious diseases, first responders may use them during natural disasters, and more commonly used in occupations that entail working in conditions with high volumes of particulates like dust, vapors, and gases. Overall, APRs are

Question 10

What is HVSA?

Accepted Answer

HVSA stands for High Visibility Safety Apparel. HVSA is sometimes called &lsquo;hi-viz&rsquo; clothing for short. It is a type of clothing that is designed specially to be easy to see in any type of light. The clothing must be highly luminescent or a color that is easily discernible from the background that it will be used in. This is an

Question 11

What does the Z87 on safety glasses mean?

Accepted Answer

When looking at safety glasses you may have noticed that they say Z87 on them and wondered what exactly that meant. This is an indication that the glasses are made to the specifications required by the ANSI Z87 set of standards. ANSI is the American National Standards Institute, which is a non-profit organization that is well-known for helping to create

Question 12

What is the proper way to dispose of PPE?

Accepted Answer

Personal protection equipment, or PPE, is an important part of the overall safety program of any facility. There are many different types of PPE out there ranging from gloves to hardhats to full-body hazmat suits. In a lot of cases, PPE can be reused multiple times without any issues. In other situations, however, it will be just a one-time use

Question 13

When should ear protection be worn?

Accepted Answer

When working in loud environments people can become desensitized to the constant sound that is surrounding them. While the noise may not cause physical pain, it is often still causing serious damage to the hearing. In addition, constant exposure to loud noise has been linked to headaches, anxiety, and other health concerns. Because of this, it is important that all

Question 14

What PPE is used for working over dangerous equipment and machinery?

Accepted Answer

There are many jobs that require people to work at heights. In some of them, the jobs will need to be done directly over some type of hazard such as dangerous equipment or machinery. This is common in construction sites but can also happen in manufacturing facilities and other locations. Whenever someone has to work above a dangerous area, they

Question 15

When is hearing protection required?

Accepted Answer

Keeping employees safe is a top priority for any good company. While some types of workplace safety are obvious, such as chemical safety or slip and fall prevention, others aren&rsquo;t so easy to spot. One example of a workplace risk that is often overlooked is threats to people&rsquo;s hearing. Many factories and other environments can be very loud, which puts

Question 16

What is NRR?

Accepted Answer

NRR is an acronym that stands for Noise Reduction Rating. Of all the hazards in the workplace, one of the most frequently overlooked is the dangers associated with loud noises. People who work is loud environments are at risk of hearing loss, headaches, increased anxiety, and many other problems. Since it is not possible to eliminate loud noises from most

Question 17

How often should hard hats be inspected?

Accepted Answer

Hard hats are one of the most common types of personal protection equipment used in the workplace. These durable hats provide a significant protection against falling objects, bumps, and other hazards. While they are certainly made to last, they don&rsquo;t last forever, which is why it is important to have them inspected regularly. Inspect After an Incident If a hard hat is

Question 18

How do you clean lead contaminated clothes?

Accepted Answer

Through the course of day to day work, clothes get dirty. For most people, this just means they have to toss them in the washing machine and they are ready to go. When clothes are contaminated with potentially dangerous materials, such as lead, however, it requires specialized action. As an employer, it is important to ensure that the clothes that

Question 19

What is PPE?

Accepted Answer

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an umbrella term for any safety garment or accessory worn by workers. It includes rubber gloves that don&rsquo;t absorb chemicals, arc-rated gloves that won&rsquo;t catch on fire, body harnesses that will safely suspend a falling worker, hi-vis safety vests that keep construction site workers visible to traffic, and everything in between. Moving from head to toe,

Question 20

How does a job hazard analysis work for PPE?

Accepted Answer

Performing a hazard assessment, also referred to as the job hazard analysis, is crucial to understand the hazards in the workplace, the severity of the hazards, and which steps in the hierarchy of hazards will be most effective. This should be completed by a few people, optimally including the facility manager and safety manager. Common hazards to be on the

Question 21

What are different types of hand protection?

Accepted Answer

Unlike hard hats, hearing protection, and eyewear, safety gloves are one of the few items of PPE not regulated by OSHA standards. OSHA however, does specify that employers should evaluate the conditions and hazards at hand and appropriately select safety gloves relative to the task performed and the present risk. Hands can be exposed to harmful substances through skin absorption, severe

Question 22

Who regulates PPE?

Accepted Answer

Personal protective equipment is crucial in keeping workers safe while on the clock and works to minimize exposure to hazards that could result in injury, illness, or even death. OSHA has set and enforces regulations regarding personal protective equipment to most workers in the United States. Many of OSHA&rsquo;s requirements are aligned with the standards set forth by the American

Question 23

What is hearing protection?

Accepted Answer

Providing workers with proper hearing protection is crucial to prevent irreversible hearing loss. The two types of hearing risks associated with loud noises are sudden bursts, like explosions or gunshots, and prolonged noise, common in most manufacturing facilities. Hearing loss and hearing damage is permanent and can negatively affect someone for the rest of their life. Hearing protection is regulated by

Question 24

What PPE is commonly used in construction sites?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to PPE for construction workers, the first things that come to mind are a hard hat, a safety vest, and work boots, but construction sites pose hazards that require more protection and personal equipment. Working from heights, falling objects, heavy machinery, traffic, chemicals and so much more are common hazards construction workers will deal with every day.

Question 25

What PPE is recommended for chemical hazards?

Accepted Answer

Laboratories are not the only workspaces that have to deal with risks associated with chemicals, other industries handling hazardous chemicals including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and more. Some of the effects of workers coming in contact with chemicals can be temporary or have lifelong consequences. From severe chemical burns to corrosion of the skin and skin cancer, protecting the skin is

Question 26

What situations require PPE?

Accepted Answer

It is crucial for employees to understand when and where PPE should be worn. An employer or safety manager will first need to conduct a hazard risk assessment. This assessment consists of a thorough walk through the facility to identify all present hazards and areas that have a risk of becoming a hazard. Once this is done, there should have

Question 27

What type of training is there for PPE?

Accepted Answer

Personal protective equipment does not protect the worker if it is not being used or being used incorrectly. OSHA requires employers to train each employee who will be using PPE, both existing and new hires, on the equipment in the workplace. Training is required to include: When PPE is necessary: Employees need to know and understand what areas and what

Question 28

What PPE can protect a worker from electrocution?

Accepted Answer

An important part of completing a hazard assessment of a facility is to understand the electrical risks. Electrical hazards pose the risk of arc flash causing electrocution, severe burns, permanent eyesight, and hearing damage, and can even be fatal in some cases. Things to look for during the assessment include outlets too close to conductors, torn or frayed wires, improper

Question 29

What hazards do PPE protect from?

Accepted Answer

Some hazards are easily spotted, and some hazards can seem hidden. It is important for safety or facility managers to carefully inspect the facility to identify hazards in the workplaces and areas where potential hazards could occur and purchase properly fitting and appropriate PPE. Personal protective equipment is designed to protect employees from all types of hazards that can be found

Question 30

How should PPE be stored?

Accepted Answer

While some workplaces will have PPE that is required on a daily basis or worn at all times, other personal protective equipment should be safely stored. The storage of personal protective equipment is almost as important has having it on hand, and an obligation set forth by OSHA, specifically requiring that PPE must be &ldquo;maintained in a sanitary and reliable

Question 31

What are PPE requirements?

Accepted Answer

Although PPE is considered the last line of defense, it is essential to understand OSHA&rsquo;s requirements to not only stay compliant but keep your workers safe when elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls do not entirely eradicate the hazard. Under OSHA law, employers are required to provide the properly fitting PPE that corresponds with the level of hazard present,

Question 32

Can PPE be shared, reused, or altered?

Accepted Answer

In many instances PPE is assigned to specific individual, and it is important to train workers on different types of personal protective equipment and what that means for sharing or reusing them. When employers purchase items specific to the employer (such as proper fitting boots), they should be assigned to that worker and not shared. On the other hand, items

Question 33

Why is PPE considered the last resort?

Accepted Answer

PPE is often called the last line of defense because of its place on the hierarchy of hazards. When an employer or safety manager needs to address a dangerous hazard in the workplace, they should go through what is called the hierarchy of hazards to address it. The hierarchy is as follows: Starting at the top of the pyramid here and

Question 34

Who supplies PPE at work?

Accepted Answer

Employers, under OSHA law have the responsibility to provide personal protective equipment at no cost to the worker. An employer or safety manager will need to conduct a hazard assessment of their workplace to identify all physical and health hazards present. Once it is known what PPE will be needed in the workplace, it is important the individual in charge of

Question 35

What are different types of PPE?

Accepted Answer

PPE can be categorized by the part of the body it protects, the type of hazard it protects from, and the type of garment or accessory. Designed to protect from head to toe, different body protection equipment can include: Skin protection: This is any type of barrier between the hazard and the worker&rsquo;s skin. Common forms of skin protection are

Question 36

What does PPE stand for?

Accepted Answer

PPE is the commonly used acronym for personal protective equipment and refers to any garments or equipment designed to be worn and protect employees from occupational hazards including physical, chemical, biological, electrical, mechanical, and radiological hazards. All types of workplaces can pose a number of risks for injury: fire hazards, sharp blades, forklifts and heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, loud noises,