You are here:Home >Rescuer Safety - Personal Protective Equipment
- Medical Management
Need for PPE
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is designed to provide protection from serious injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other hazards. Careful selection and use of adequate PPE should protect individuals involved in chemical emergencies from hazards effecting the respiratory system, skin, eyes, face, hands, feet, head, body, and hearing. No single combination of protective equipment and clothing is capable of protecting against all hazards. Thus PPE should be used in conjunction with other protective methods, including exposure control procedures and equipment.
PPE Selection
The onsite incident commander will define the PPE ensemble required based on the conditions at the scene. For first receivers and hospitals, PPE selection is based on the institution's chemical emergency procedures.
- Guidance used for selecting appropriate PPE for chemical emergencies is available.
- For First Responder - OSHA/NIOSH Interim Guidance: Chemical - Biological - Radiological - Nuclear (CBRN) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection Matrix for Emergency Responders (OSHA, NIOSH, April 2005)
- For Hospital Providers - OSHA Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims from Mass Casualty Incidents Involving the Release of Hazardous Substances (PDF - 1.93 MB) (OSHA, January 2005)
Levels of PPE
Personal protective equipment is divided into four categories based on the degree of protection afforded.
- Level A protection should be worn when the highest level of respiratory, skin, eye and mucous membrane protection is needed. A typical Level A ensemble includes:
- Positive pressure (pressure demand), self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) (NIOSH approved), or positive-pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA.
- Fully encapsulating chemical protective suit.
- Gloves, inner, chemical resistant.
- Gloves, outer, chemical resistant.
- Boots, chemical resistant, steel toe and shank; (depending on suit boot construction, worn over or under suit boot.)
- Level B protection should be selected when the highest level of respiratory protection is needed, but a lesser level of skin and eye protection is needed. Level B protection is the minimum level recommended on initial site entries until the hazards have been further identified and defined by monitoring, sampling, and other reliable methods of analysis, and equipment corresponding with those findings utilized. A typical Level B ensemble includes:
- Positive-pressure (pressure-demand), self-contained breathing apparatus (NIOSH approved), or positive-pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA.
- Chemical resistant clothing (overalls and long-sleeved jacket, coveralls, hooded two-piece chemical splash suit, disposable chemical resistant coveralls.)
- Gloves, outer, chemical resistant.
- Gloves, inner, chemical resistant.
- Boots, outer, chemical resistant, steel toe and shank.
- Level C protection should be selected when the type of airborne substance is known, concentration measured, criteria for using air-purifying respirators met, and skin and eye exposure is unlikely. Periodic monitoring of the air must be performed. A typical Level C ensemble includes:
- Full-face or half-mask, air-purifying respirator (NIOSH approved).
- Chemical resistant clothing (one piece coverall, hooded two piece chemical splash suit, chemical resistant hood and apron, disposable chemical resistant coveralls.)
- Gloves, outer, chemical resistant.
- Gloves, inner, chemical resistant.
- Boots, steel toe and shank, chemical resistant.
- Level D protection is primarily a work uniform and is used for nuisance contamination only. It requires only coveralls and safety shoes/boots. Other PPE is based upon the situation (types of gloves, etc.). It should not be worn on any site where respiratory or skin hazards exist.
Types of Protection
There are many types of protective equipment, each with specific applications and use requirements. Information on common elements of the PPE ensemble include:
- Respiratory
- Responders should use appropriate respirators to protect against adverse health effects caused by breathing contaminated air.
- NIOSH Respirators Guidance (CDC/NIOSH)
- Responders should use appropriate respirators to protect against adverse health effects caused by breathing contaminated air.
- Eye & Face
- Eye and face protection should protect responders from the hazards of flying fragments, hot sparks, and chemical splashes.
- NIOSH Eye Safety Guidance (CDC/NIOSH)
- Eye and face protection should protect responders from the hazards of flying fragments, hot sparks, and chemical splashes.
- Skin
- Skin protection should be used when responders may be exposed to harmful substances.
- NIOSH Protective Clothing & Ensembles Guidance (CDC/NIOSH)
- Skin protection should be used when responders may be exposed to harmful substances.
- Noise
- Earplugs or earmuffs can help prevent damage to hearing. Exposure to high noise levels can cause irreversible hearing loss or impairment as well as physical and psychological stress.
- NIOSH Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention Guidance (CDC/NIOSH)
- Earplugs or earmuffs can help prevent damage to hearing. Exposure to high noise levels can cause irreversible hearing loss or impairment as well as physical and psychological stress.
Elements of a PPE Management Program
PPE use requires the implementation of a management program. Some elements of an effective program include:
- Respirator Use Certification and Fit Testing
- OSHA respirator fit testing (OSHA)
- Training - OSHA Training Information (OSHA)
- Proper donning of PPE
- Limitations of PPE
- Maintenance and Care of PPE
- Useful life of PPE, disposal
Limitations of PPE
Decisions about PPE use must consider its limitations.
- Safety Hazards
- Restricted movement due to weight
- Restricted vision due to visual field limitations
- Difficulty communicating due to face protection
- Physiological/Psychological stressors
- Psychological stress resulting from confining nature of full suits
- Heat stress and risk of dehydration
- The highest levels of PPE generally cannot be worn continuously for more than 30 minutes
- Management Requirements
- Need for a management program that ensures effective use of PPE
- Facial hair interferes with proper fit of masks
- Improper use, penetration/tears are potentially hazardous
- Need for a management program that ensures effective use of PPE
Medical Management
Because of the psychological and physiological stresses involved. PPE use requires medical surveillance and clearance.
- OSHA Medical Clearance Questionnaire (OSHA)
- Levels of PPE Clearance
- Level 1 - Escape devices only
- Level 2 - Air purifying only (with dermal protection)
- Screening- occupational and medical history, vital signs including (BP), EKG, PE of cardio/pulmonary systems, spirometry, hearing and vision screening
- Level 3 - Full spectrum of PPE
- Screening - Level 2 evaluation plus Exercise tolerance test (dependent upon and CV evaluation)
- Medical Monitoring for use scenarios
- Pre-entry
- Record weight, vital signs
- Record recent medical history
- Compare to individuals baseline information per institution policy
- Report any concerns to physician
- Place identification tape with name and role on the back of the responder
- Complete safety check by a second person
- Record the starting time PPE is put on
- During the event
- Monitor staff time in PPE
- Have second team preparing to relieve first team in PPE
- Post-entry
- Record amount of time in PPE (general guideline is 30 minutes)
- Record weight, vital signs
- Ensure hydration
- Pre-entry
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Personal Protection Equipment (PDF - 96 KB) (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management)
- Fact Sheet: Personal Protection Equipment (PDF - 52 KB) (OSHA, 2006)
- Personal Protective Equipment (OSHA)
- Safety and Health Topics: Personal Protection Equipment (OSHA)
- Personal Protective Equipment (OSHA)
- U.S. Department of Transportation. Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) (DOT)
- Additional resources from CDC/NIOSH:
PDF documents can be viewed with the free Adobe® Reader™
A basic level of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used by all front-line custodial workers, no matter what job they are performing or what chemical they are using. Protecting workers from cleaning chemicals and restroom germs will keep them efficient and safe, says Schneringer.
“Chemicals and PPE help you get the job done faster — people are able to pay better attention to what they’re doing if they can do it efficiently,” he says.
All custodial employees should be provided gloves, goggles and protective uniform specifications such as long sleeves and rubber-soled safety shoes or shoe covers.
“OSHA regulations and your facility safety guidelines should determine the minimum PPE an employee should use for specific tasks,” Harshman says. “If a restroom has as biohazard inside, then additional PPE would be required, such as a dust mask and a biohazard suit. Most companies have a written safety plan and written task procedures for employees to follow when performing assigned duties.”
In-house custodial managers should consider PPE requirements as a best practice. It may be difficult to convince employees to wear certain items, such as goggles, but workers should be encouraged to move past concerns about how they look and consider the safety they provide. Besides, today’s safety glasses have more of a “cool factor” than the goggles many remember from chemistry class, Schneringer says.
The bottom line is, most chemical-related injuries are preventable. No matter what type of chemical a worker is using, accidents can happen, and PPE can and does prevent injuries.
“Even if you’re using a mild cleaner, you can still get something splashed back into your eye, and it can still be irritating, so make sure you’re safe from that,” Schneringer says. “No matter what kind of cleaning you’re doing, you never know what lies on those surfaces you’re cleaning up, what sorts of material are present, or whether that material has pathogens in it. PPE can be a life-saver in that regard.”
Hands are a primary way that germs are transmitted, so remind workers to wash their hands properly and to use gloves to protect themselves.
“The staff should be changing gloves and washing their hands thoroughly after cleaning each restroom. Gloves can fail, and you don’t want to take those germs with you or cross-contaminate another area of the building,” McCannon says.
Another way to prevent cross-contamination is through color-coding when cleaning the restroom.
“We use a two-color system,” Harshman says. “Red towels are used to clean toilets and urinals, and white towels are used to clean all other surfaces.”
“Chemicals and PPE help you get the job done faster — people are able to pay better attention to what they’re doing if they can do it efficiently,” he says.
All custodial employees should be provided gloves, goggles and protective uniform specifications such as long sleeves and rubber-soled safety shoes or shoe covers.
“OSHA regulations and your facility safety guidelines should determine the minimum PPE an employee should use for specific tasks,” Harshman says. “If a restroom has as biohazard inside, then additional PPE would be required, such as a dust mask and a biohazard suit. Most companies have a written safety plan and written task procedures for employees to follow when performing assigned duties.”
In-house custodial managers should consider PPE requirements as a best practice. It may be difficult to convince employees to wear certain items, such as goggles, but workers should be encouraged to move past concerns about how they look and consider the safety they provide. Besides, today’s safety glasses have more of a “cool factor” than the goggles many remember from chemistry class, Schneringer says.
The bottom line is, most chemical-related injuries are preventable. No matter what type of chemical a worker is using, accidents can happen, and PPE can and does prevent injuries.
“Even if you’re using a mild cleaner, you can still get something splashed back into your eye, and it can still be irritating, so make sure you’re safe from that,” Schneringer says. “No matter what kind of cleaning you’re doing, you never know what lies on those surfaces you’re cleaning up, what sorts of material are present, or whether that material has pathogens in it. PPE can be a life-saver in that regard.”
Hands are a primary way that germs are transmitted, so remind workers to wash their hands properly and to use gloves to protect themselves.
“The staff should be changing gloves and washing their hands thoroughly after cleaning each restroom. Gloves can fail, and you don’t want to take those germs with you or cross-contaminate another area of the building,” McCannon says.
Another way to prevent cross-contamination is through color-coding when cleaning the restroom.
“We use a two-color system,” Harshman says. “Red towels are used to clean toilets and urinals, and white towels are used to clean all other surfaces.”
Promote Protective Measures
No matter what training system managers use, it is important to keep employees up-to-date on information like prominent pathogens, cleaning procedures, safety equipment and PPE, and other important protocols.
“There’s the employee right-to-know training, where people learn about the materials they’re using, recommended PPE, how to read the chemical safety data sheet and understanding the product label. You’re going to have all that spelled out,” Schneringer says. “The whole idea is, how do you make sure that the facility can be kept as clean and safe as possible, and that employees can do their work as safely and efficiently as possible?”
Regular biohazard and bloodborne pathogen trainings will also help employees learn about the dangerous bodily fluids they may come into contact with when cleaning restrooms. This training should include how specific PPE can help protect them.
In addition to providing appropriate training and PPE, some departments take safety protocols one step further.
“Because of the concern about Hepatitis C, which is more common than AIDS, we do offer to pay for our employees’ vaccinations,” Harshman says. “We protect our employees with extensive trainings, PPE and vaccinations so they don’t come into contact with diseases that could be life-threatening.”
The mix of potential hazards that lurk in restrooms cannot be ignored. It is essential that custodial managers arm staff with the proper knowledge and tools to clean and disinfect appropriately and safely.
LISA RIDGELY is a freelance writer based in Milwaukee, Wis.
“There’s the employee right-to-know training, where people learn about the materials they’re using, recommended PPE, how to read the chemical safety data sheet and understanding the product label. You’re going to have all that spelled out,” Schneringer says. “The whole idea is, how do you make sure that the facility can be kept as clean and safe as possible, and that employees can do their work as safely and efficiently as possible?”
Regular biohazard and bloodborne pathogen trainings will also help employees learn about the dangerous bodily fluids they may come into contact with when cleaning restrooms. This training should include how specific PPE can help protect them.
In addition to providing appropriate training and PPE, some departments take safety protocols one step further.
“Because of the concern about Hepatitis C, which is more common than AIDS, we do offer to pay for our employees’ vaccinations,” Harshman says. “We protect our employees with extensive trainings, PPE and vaccinations so they don’t come into contact with diseases that could be life-threatening.”
The mix of potential hazards that lurk in restrooms cannot be ignored. It is essential that custodial managers arm staff with the proper knowledge and tools to clean and disinfect appropriately and safely.
LISA RIDGELY is a freelance writer based in Milwaukee, Wis.
previous page of this article:
Using Proper Chemicals To Clean Restrooms
Using Proper Chemicals To Clean Restrooms
1.1 Explain employee’s role and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection.
They have to always be aware of and report changes in the health conditions of the individuals that they support. They also have a responsibility to assist with keeping work areas, and equipment clean, tidy and free from infection hazards. They are also encouraged to maintain good personal hygiene for themselves as well as their service users. For example, helping service users bathe, use the toilet and change remove and dispose of any soiled clothing.
Hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment
Another responsibility they hold is preparing and maintaining environment before and after episodes of patient care. They are also required to carry out general household duties, including, cleaning and making beds, decontaminating equipment, clearing up any spillages that may occur and disposing of any clinical waste.
Ppe Training
1.2 Explain employer’s responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection.
Employers have a particular responsibility to ensure that the care setting is safe for patients, service users, visitors and members of staff.
They do this by ensuring that an up-to-date infection control policy is written up and includes the roles and responsibilities of all staff in relation to the prevention of infection and what to do if there was an outbreak of infectious disease. They also need to produce reports regularly that describes that the systems in place for prevention and control of infection are working properly and are taken seriously. For example, risk assessments, incidences of infection and how they were dealt with and staff training
2.1 Outline current legislation and regulatory body standards which are relevant to the prevention and control of infection.
Health and safety At Work Act 1974
Health and Social Care Act 2008
The NICE guidelines
COSHH
RIDDOR
Relevant Codes of Practice
National Minimum Standards (+ their regulatory body – Care Quality Commission in England)
Health and Social Care Act 2008
The NICE guidelines
COSHH
RIDDOR
Relevant Codes of Practice
National Minimum Standards (+ their regulatory body – Care Quality Commission in England)
2.2 Describe local and organisational policies relevant to the prevention and control of infection.
The Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations 1992
Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 (includes Clinical Waste)
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Safety Act (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations 1992
Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 (includes Clinical Waste)
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Safety Act (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995.
3.1 describe procedure and system relevant to the prevention of control of infection.
There are many systems and procedures that provide ways of preventing and controlling the spread of infection. Receiving regular information updates at work and attending training raises everyone’s awareness about infection prevention and control. There is also information provided through the media and different campaigns are organised to raise awareness amongst the general public about infection prevention and control. There should be prevention of infection or infection control in any place of work these consist of hand washing techniques program, posting on how to segregate wastes, adequate disposal of garbage, and knowledge of how infection is being spread.
3.2 explain the potential impact of an outbreak of an infection on the individual and the organisation.
Infection is a major cause of human suffering. Even relatively minor infections can become more serious, leading to major infection and can, in some cases, lead to patient death. In addition to patient suffering, infection causes distress to family and friends. The costs to the health care system of providing care for those with infections are huge. In addition to concerns over the growing costs to health care, the use of antibiotics to treat these infections is thought to be contributing towards the problems surrounding antibiotic resistance.
4.1 define the word risk.
Risk is the potential of losing something of value, weighed against the potential to gain something of value. Values such as physical health, social status, emotional wellbeing or financial wealth, can be gained or lost when taking risk resulting from a given action, activity and/or inaction, foreseen or unforeseen. Risk can also be defined as the intentional interaction with uncertainty. Risk perception is the subjective judgment people make about the severity of a risk, and may vary person to person.
4.2 outline potential risk of infection within the workplace.
1. Airborne- coughs and sneeze
2. Contaminated ‘things’- Not washing your hands after using the toilet. I.e. transfer from one person to another via an object. 3. Skin to skin contact – Transfer of dirt on your hand to someone else’s i.e. transfer from one person to another directly 4. Transfer of Body Fluids – Cleaning up blood or ‘whatever’ without gloves 5. Food poisoning. – Fridge at wrong temperature and things kept in it for too long. First aid personnel and workers may be at risk of exposure to infectious diseases or biological hazards if they receive: a skin penetrating injury such as a needle stick injury if blood or body substances come into contact with broken skin, [ open wounds, eyes or mouth contaminated first aid equipment or materials are used Infectious diseases which may be transmitted by blood and some body substances include: hepatitis B hepatitis C human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS .
2. Contaminated ‘things’- Not washing your hands after using the toilet. I.e. transfer from one person to another via an object. 3. Skin to skin contact – Transfer of dirt on your hand to someone else’s i.e. transfer from one person to another directly 4. Transfer of Body Fluids – Cleaning up blood or ‘whatever’ without gloves 5. Food poisoning. – Fridge at wrong temperature and things kept in it for too long. First aid personnel and workers may be at risk of exposure to infectious diseases or biological hazards if they receive: a skin penetrating injury such as a needle stick injury if blood or body substances come into contact with broken skin, [ open wounds, eyes or mouth contaminated first aid equipment or materials are used Infectious diseases which may be transmitted by blood and some body substances include: hepatitis B hepatitis C human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS .
4.3 describe the process of carrying out a risk assessment.
1.Identify the hazard and differentiate between the hazard and the risk 2.Deciding who might be harmed and how. 3.Evaluating the risk and deciding on precautions to minimise it. 4.Recording findings and implementing them 5.Review of the risk assessment and updating of risk control measures if necessary.
4.4 explain the importance of carrying out a risk assessment.
It is important to assess health and safety risks because it is my duty to high light and prevent any possible dangers to the residents, myself and co-workers. By assessing health and safety risks I am able to for see and prevent accidents and danger before they happen.
5.1 demonstrate.
5.2 describe different types of PPE.
Plastic apron are used for covering cloths or uniforms. It is made from slippery plastic so it is harder for pathogens to stick. It is suitable to protect from body fluids and to be worn during other tasks that hold a risk for bringing you into contact with pathogens. Plastic or latex gloves are good for protection for your hands and nails, which are the main way pathogens are transmitted. Paper masks are used to cover mouth and nose which are key sources of pathogens, as well as routes for pathogens to gain entry into the body. Plastic over shoes are worn normal over shoes to prevent pathogens for outside being bought into clean areas.
5.3 explain the reason for use of PPE.
Personal protective equipment reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the Risk of acquiring an infection. It is important that it is used effectively, correctly and at all times where contact with blood and body fluids of patients may occur.
5.4 state current relevant regulations and legislations relating to PPE.
Employees are responsible to use PPE appropriate and as instructed by employer. An employee has to check PPE before and after use and have to report any damage. Ensuring employees who store and handle dangerous substances are properly trained. Using appropriate precautions when handling substances for example, wearing protective clothing or ensuring adequate ventilation. Checking containers are properly labelled.
5.5 describe employee’s responsibilities regarding the use of PPE.
My main responsibilities are to keep myself and others safe by following the health and safety .Procedures. I should attend all training given by my employer and wear all personal protective Equipment provided. They should wash their hands correctly and as often as necessary, disposing of waste correctly, cover their moth when coughing or sneezing and to use the appropriate protective equipment provided when necessary.
5.6 describe employer’s responsibilities regarding the use of PPE
My employer’s responsibility is to provide appropriate PPE, maintain and store PPE correctly, provide training, instruction and notices about PPE, carry out risk assessments to inform decisions about appropriate PPE, ensure PPE is being used and used properly.
5.7 describe the correct practice in application and removal of PPE.
How to apply
1. Wash hands before use.
2. Put on gloves and apron before starting the procedure.
3. Change gloves and aprons between caring for different residents and between different care tasks for the same resident.
1. Wash hands before use.
2. Put on gloves and apron before starting the procedure.
3. Change gloves and aprons between caring for different residents and between different care tasks for the same resident.
How to remove
1. Remove as soon as the procedure is complete.
2. Take off carefully and in such a way that your hands and cloths do not have contact with any substances contaminating the glove or apron surface.
1. Remove as soon as the procedure is complete.
2. Take off carefully and in such a way that your hands and cloths do not have contact with any substances contaminating the glove or apron surface.
5.8 describe the correct procedure for disposal of use PPE.
Gloves are for single use only and must be disposed of after removing, dispose of as clinical waste, do not touch the bin with contaminated gloves or hands, and wash hands with soup as soon as gloves/aprons are disposed of.
6.1 describe the key principles of good personal hygiene.
Hair care – regular hair washing prevents the spread of bacteria. Long hair needs to be tied back. Oral hygiene – good oral hygiene and six monthly visits to the dentist will prevent the build-up of bacteria and reduce halitosis. Hand and nail care – Hand and nail care is vital in preventing and controlling the spread of infection. Clean cloths – clean clothes and an important aspect of personal hygiene and should be changed daily.
6.2 Demonstrate
6.3 describe the correct sequence for hand washing.
1. Preferably use running water.
2. Wet hands thoroughly before using soap.
3. Soup hands, making sure solution comes into contact with all areas. 4. Rub hands together vigorously foe a minimum of 10-15 seconds, paying attention to the tips of the fingers, the thumbs and the areas between the fingers. 5. It is vital that hands are dried thoroughly. Ideally use a hot air drier or use paper towels.
2. Wet hands thoroughly before using soap.
3. Soup hands, making sure solution comes into contact with all areas. 4. Rub hands together vigorously foe a minimum of 10-15 seconds, paying attention to the tips of the fingers, the thumbs and the areas between the fingers. 5. It is vital that hands are dried thoroughly. Ideally use a hot air drier or use paper towels.
6.4 explain when and why hand washing should be carried out. Hand washing is vital to stop the spread of infection and cross contaminate. We should wash hands whenever needed. Such as Whenever hands are sticky or soiled with visible dirt.
After going to the toilet, touching mouth or nose.
Before and after direct contact with residents.
Between different care activities for the same resident.
Before putting on and after removing disposable gloves.
After contact with body fluids
Before and after handling, cooking serving and eating food.
Before and after direct contact with residents.
Between different care activities for the same resident.
Before putting on and after removing disposable gloves.
After contact with body fluids
Before and after handling, cooking serving and eating food.
6.6 describe correct procedures that relate to skincare.
Never used glove when is not needed and always used moisturising cream after each hand wash and if you notice any sore you should report to your manager .But never stop practising a good hygiene ,but if it get worsen contact tour GP.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents wearing Level B hazmat suits
Safety equipment and supervisor instructions at a construction site
Occupational hazards |
---|
Hierarchy of hazard controls |
Occupational hygiene |
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter. Protective equipment may be worn for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, as well as for sports and other recreational activities. 'Protective clothing' is applied to traditional categories of clothing, and 'protective gear' applies to items such as pads, guards, shields, or masks, and others.
The purpose of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering controls and administrative controls are not feasible or effective to reduce these risks to acceptable levels. PPE is needed when there are hazards present. PPE has the serious limitation that it does not eliminate the hazard at the source and may result in employees being exposed to the hazard if the equipment fails.[1]
Any item of PPE imposes a barrier between the wearer/user and the working environment. This can create additional strains on the wearer;impair their ability to carry out their work and create significant levels of discomfort. Any of these can discourage wearers from using PPE correctly, therefore placing them at risk of injury, ill-health or, under extreme circumstances, death. Good ergonomic design can help to minimise these barriers and can therefore help to ensure safe and healthy working conditions through the correct use of PPE.
Practices of occupational safety and health can use hazard controls and interventions to mitigate workplace hazards, which pose a threat to the safety and quality of life of workers. The hierarchy of hazard controls provides a policy framework which ranks the types of hazard controls in terms of absolute risk reduction. At the top of the hierarchy are elimination and substitution, which remove the hazard entirely or replace the hazard with a safer alternative. If elimination or substitution measures cannot apply, engineering controls and administrative controls, which seek to design safer mechanisms and coach safer human behavior, are implemented. Personal protective equipment ranks last on the hierarchy of controls, as the workers are regularly exposed to the hazard, with a barrier of protection. The hierarchy of controls is important in acknowledging that, while personal protective equipment has tremendous utility, it is not the desired mechanism of control in terms of worker safety.
- 1Types
- 1.5Protective clothing and ensembles
Types
A 1568 painting depicting beekeepers in protective clothing, by Pieter Brueghel the Elder.
Personal protective equipment can be categorized by the area of the body protected, by the types of hazard, and by the type of garment or accessory. A single item, for example boots, may provide multiple forms of protection: a steel toe cap and steel insoles for protection of the feet from crushing or puncture injuries, impervious rubber and lining for protection from water and chemicals, high reflectivity and heat resistance for protection from radiant heat, and high electrical resistivity for protection from electric shock. The protective attributes of each piece of equipment must be compared with the hazards expected to be found in the workplace. More breathable types of personal protective equipment may not lead to more contamination but do result in greater user satisfaction.[2]
Respirators
Air-purifying respirator
Respirators serve to protect the user from breathing in contaminants in the air, thus preserving the health of one's respiratory tract. There are two main types of respirators. One type of respirator functions by filtering out chemicals and gases, or airborne particles, from the air breathed by the user.[3] The filtration may be either passive or active (powered). Gas masks and particulate respirators are examples of this type of respirator. A second type of respirator protects users by providing clean, respirable air from another source. This type includes airline respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).[3] In work environments, respirators are relied upon when adequate ventilation is not available or other engineering control systems are not feasible or inadequate.[3]
In the United Kingdom, an organization that has extensive expertise in respiratory protective equipment is the Institute of Occupational Medicine. This expertise has been built on a long-standing and varied research programme that has included the setting of workplace protection factors to the assessment of efficacy of masks available through high street retail outlets.[citation needed]
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), NHS Health Scotland and Healthy Working Lives (HWL) have jointly developed the RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) Selector Tool, which is web-based. This interactive tool provides descriptions of different types of respirators and breathing apparatuses, as well as 'dos and don'ts' for each type.[4]
In the United States, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides recommendations on respirator use, in accordance to NIOSH federal respiratory regulations 42 CFR Part 84.[3]The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) of NIOSH is tasked towards actively conducting studies on respirators and providing recommendations.[5]
Skin protection
A worker wearing a respirator, lab coat, and gloves while weighing carbon nanotubes
This is an incorrect use of personal protective equipment, because the gap between the glove and the lab coat exposes the wrist to hazardous materials.
Occupational skin diseases such as contact dermatitis, skin cancers, and other skin injuries and infections are the second-most common type of occupational disease and can be very costly.[6] Skin hazards, which lead to occupational skin disease, can be classified into four groups. Chemical agents can come into contact with the skin through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, deposition of aerosols, immersion or splashes.[6] Physical agents such as extreme temperatures and ultraviolet or solar radiation can be damaging to the skin over prolonged exposure.[6] Mechanical trauma occurs in the form of friction, pressure, abrasions, lacerations and contusions.[6] Biological agents such as parasites, microorganisms, plants and animals can have varied effects when exposed to the skin.[6]
Any form of PPE that acts as a barrier between the skin and the agent of exposure can be considered skin protection. Because much work is done with the hands, gloves are an essential item in providing skin protection. Some examples of gloves commonly used as PPE include rubber gloves, cut-resistant gloves, chainsaw gloves and heat-resistant gloves. For sports and other recreational activities, many different gloves are used for protection, generally against mechanical trauma.
Other than gloves, any other article of clothing or protection worn for a purpose serve to protect the skin. Lab coats for example, are worn to protect against potential splashes of chemicals. Face shields serve to protect one's face from potential impact hazards, chemical splashes or possible infectious fluid.
Many migrant workers need training in PPE for Heat Related Illnesses prevention (HRI). Based on study results, the research identified some potential gaps in heat safety education. While some farm workers reported receiving limited training on pesticide safety, incoming groups of farmer workers could also receive video and in-person training on HRI prevention. These educational programs for farm workers are most effective then they are based on health behavior theories, use adult learning principles and employ train-the-trainer approaches.[7]
Eye protection
A paintball player wearing appropriate eye protection against impact.
Each day, about 2000 US workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical attention.[8] Eye injuries can happen through a variety of means. Most eye injuries occur when solid particles such as metal slivers, wood chips, sand or cement chips get into the eye.[8] Smaller particles in smokes and larger particles such as broken glass also account for particulate matter-causing eye injuries. Blunt force trauma can occur to the eye when excessive force comes into contact with the eye. Chemical burns, biological agents, and thermal agents, from sources such as welding torches and UV light, also contribute to occupational eye injury.[9]
While the required eye protection varies by occupation, the safety provided can be generalized. Safety glasses provide protection from external debris, and should provide side protection via a wrap-around design or side shields.[9]
- Goggles provide better protection than safety glasses, and are effective in preventing eye injury from chemical splashes, impact, dusty environments and welding.[9] Goggles with high air flow should be used to prevent fogging.[9]
- Face shields provide additional protection and are worn over the standard eyewear; they also provide protection from impact, chemical, and blood-borne hazards.[9]
- Full-facepiece respirators are considered the best form of eye protection when respiratory protection is needed as well, but may be less effective against potential impact hazards to the eye.[9]
- Eye protection for welding is shaded to different degrees, depending on the specific operation.[9]
Hearing protection
Industrial noise is often overlooked as an occupational hazard, as it is not visible to the eye. Overall, about 22 million workers in the United States are exposed to potentially damaging noise levels each year.[10] Occupational hearing loss accounted for 14% of all occupational illnesses in 2007, with about 23,000 cases significant enough to cause permanent hearing impairment.[10] About 82% of occupational hearing loss cases occurred to workers in the manufacturing sector.[10] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes occupational noise exposure standards.[11] NIOSH recommends that worker exposures to noise be reduced to a level equivalent to 85 dBA for eight hours to reduce occupational noise-induced hearing loss.[12]
PPE for hearing protection consists of earplugs and earmuffs. Workers who are regularly exposed to noise levels above the NIOSH recommendation should be furnished hearing protection by the employers, as they are a low-cost intervention.
We provide tutorials, free source codes and to get started with projects that might interest you. Please feel free to use it for educational purposes. Source code program penggajian vb net. We hope to provide anyone with necessary and relevant content projects they need to practice and help in their daily programming career. TL;DR We are fast becoming best open source code & projects organization - Code Projects is developed to provide interested people with resources to build their knowledge, and exchange ideas.
Protective clothing and ensembles
Locker containing personal protective equipment
A complete PPE ensemble worn during high pressure cleaning work
This form of PPE is all-encompassing and refers to the various suits and uniforms worn to protect the user from harm. Lab coats worn by scientists and ballistic vests worn by law enforcement officials, which are worn on a regular basis, would fall into this category. Entire sets of PPE, worn together in a combined suit, are also in this category.
Ensembles
Below are some examples of ensembles of personal protective equipment, worn together for a specific occupation or task, to provide maximum protection for the user.
- Chainsawprotection (especially a helmet with face guard, hearing protection, kevlarchaps, anti-vibration gloves, and chainsaw safety boots).
- Bee-keepers wear various levels of protection depending on the temperament of their bees and the reaction of the bees to nectar availability. At minimum most bee keepers wear a brimmed hat and a veil made of fine mesh netting. The next level of protection involves leather gloves with long gauntlets and some way of keeping bees from crawling up one's trouser legs. In extreme cases, specially fabricated shirts and trousers can serve as barriers to the bees' stingers.
- Diving equipment, for underwater diving, constitutes equipment such as a diving helmet or diving mask, an underwater breathing apparatus, and a diving suit.
- Firefighters wear PPE designed to provide protection against fires and various fumes and gases. PPE worn by firefighters include bunker gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, a helmet, safety boots, and a PASS device.
In sports
Participants in sports often wear protective equipment. Studies performed on the injuries of professional athletes, such as that on NFL players,[13][14] question the effectiveness of existing personal protective equipment.
Limits of the definition
Workers using personal protective equipment while painting poles. While basic head protection is present, no engineering fall protection systems appear to be in place.
The definition of what constitutes as personal protective equipment varies by country. In the United States, the laws regarding PPE also vary by state. In 2011, workplace safety complaints were brought against Hustler and other adult film production companies by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, leading to several citations brought by Cal/OSHA.[15] The failure to use condoms by adult film stars was a violation of Cal/OSHA's Blood borne Pathogens Program, Personal Protective Equipment.[15] This example shows that personal protective equipment can cover a variety of occupations in the United States, and has a wide-ranging definition.
Legislation in the European Union
At the European Union level, personal protective equipment is governed by Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment (PPE). The Directive is designed to ensure that PPE meets common quality and safety standards by setting out basic safety requirements for personal protective equipment, as well as conditions for its placement on the market and free movement within the EU single market. It covers ‘any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards’.[16] The directive was adopted on 21 January 1989 and came into force on 1 July 1992. The European Commission additionally allowed for a transition period until 30 June 1995 to give companies sufficient time to adapt to the legislation. After this date, all PPE placed on the market in EU Member States was required to comply with the requirements of Directive 89/686/EEC and carry the CE Marking.
Article 1 of Directive 89/686/EEC defines personal protective equipment as any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards. PPE which falls under the scope of the Directive is divided into three categories:
- Category I: simple design (e.g. gardening gloves, footwear, ski goggles)
- Category II: PPE not falling into category I or III (e.g. personal flotation devices, dry and wet suits)
- Category III: complex design (e.g. respiratory equipment, harnesses)
Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment does not distinguish between PPE for professional use and PPE for leisure purposes.
Personal protective equipment falling within the scope of the Directive must comply with the basic health and safety requirements set out in Annex II of the Directive. To facilitate conformity with these requirements, harmonized standards are developed at the European or international level by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN, CENELEC) and the International Organization for Standardization in relation to the design and manufacture of the product. Usage of the harmonized standards is voluntary and provides presumption of conformity. However, manufacturers may choose an alternative method of complying with the requirements of the Directive.
Personal protective equipment excluded from the scope of the Directive includes:
- PPE designed for and used by the armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order;
- PPE for self-defence (e.g. aerosol canisters, personal deterrent weapons);
- PPE designed and manufactured for personal use against adverse atmospheric conditions (e.g. seasonal clothing, umbrellas), damp and water (e.g. dish-washing gloves) and heat;
- PPE used on vessels and aircraft but not worn at all times;
- helmets and visors intended for users of two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles.
The European Commission is currently working to revise Directive 89/686/EEC. The revision will look at the scope of the Directive, the conformity assessment procedures and technical requirements regarding market surveillance. It will also align the Directive with the New Legalislative Framework. The European Commission is likely to publish its proposal in 2013. It will then be discussed by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union under the ordinary legislative procedure before being published in the Official Journal of the European Union and becoming law.
Gallery
- NHS medics practise using PPE to treat Ebola patients.
- Members of FEMA wear PPE to protect against radioactive hazards.
- Worker wearing a face shield, a helmet, Tyvek coveralls, gloves, and earplugs while decontaminating a containment boom.
- Rescue worker wearing a half-mask respirator.
- Chilean miners wearing PPE.
- Riot officer dressed in armor to protect against impacts.
- National Hockey Leaguegoaltender wearing the required PPE to play.
- Trawl fishermen wearing brightly colored personal flotation devices to protect against drowning.
- Rescue team member wearing an air permeable personal protective equipment against CBRN threats (Polycombi®)
See also
- Hazmat (hazardous materials)
References
- ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2012-10-31.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link) Personal Protective Equipment
- ^Verbeek, Jos H; Ijaz, Sharea; Mischke, Christina; Ruotsalainen, Jani H; Mäkelä, Erja; Neuvonen, Kaisa; Edmond, Michael B; Sauni, Riitta; Kilinc Balci, F Selcen; Mihalache, Raluca C (19 April 2016). 'Personal protective equipment for preventing highly infectious diseases due to exposure to contaminated body fluids in healthcare staff'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 4: CD011621. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd011621.pub2. PMID27093058.
- ^ abcdRespiratorsArchived 2012-08-30 at the Wayback Machine. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^'Selecting the right Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) for the job'. Healthy Working Lives. 2008-4-4
- ^CDC - NIOSH - Respirator Fact SheetArchived 2017-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory.
- ^ abcdeCDC - Skin Exposures and Effects - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health TopicArchived 2012-08-06 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^Luque, John S. (15 October 2018). ''I Think the Temperature was 110 Degrees!': Work Safety Discussions Among Hispanic Farmworkers'. Journal of Agromedicine. 24: 15–25. doi:10.1080/1059924x.2018.1536572.
- ^ abCDC - Eye Safety - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health TopicArchived 2017-07-07 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^ abcdefgCDC - Eye Safety - Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster RecoveryArchived 2017-09-02 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^ abcCDC - Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention - Facts and Statistics - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health TopicArchived 2016-07-03 at the Wayback Machine. The National Institute for Occuaptional Safety and Health.
- ^Occupational noise exposure - 1910.95Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
- ^Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise ExposureArchived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-126.
- ^CDC - NIOSH Science Blog - Brain Injury in the NFLArchived 2012-12-20 at Wikiwix. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- ^Lehman, EJ; Hein, MJ; Baron, SL; Gersic, CM (2012). 'Neurodegenerative causes of death among retired National Football League players'. Neurology. 79 (19): 1970–4. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e31826daf50. PMC4098841. PMID22955124. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ^ ab'Larry Flynt's Hustler Video Cited by Cal/OSHA over Condoms, Safety, Says AHF'. businesswire.com. 2011-03-31. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^'Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment'. europa.eu. 30 December 1989. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Personal protective equipment. |
- A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992' INDG174(rev1), revised 8/05 (HSE)
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Personal_protective_equipment&oldid=887675648'
Views 174
From Embeds
Number of Embeds
ActionsDownloads
Comments
Likes
Embeds 0
The accompanying Trainers Guide contains tips on different ways to use this presentation to maximise relevance and impact for participants. As a trainer your aim should be to ensure examples, pictures and graphics are relevant to the participants’ workplace and work activities.
While the presentation is designed for use with employees with an intellectual disability, it can be used with any supported employees in a business service.
identifying and using protective clothing or equipment appropriately
carrying out basic safety checks on equipment prior to operation
setting up and organising the work station in accordance with OH&S standards
following safety instructions
performing manual handling tasks to recommended safety practice
disposing of waste safety in accordance with the requirements of the workplace and OH&S standards
knowing what to do if they or someone else hurts themselves at work
knowing the importance of using/wearing protective clothing or equipment
knowing what a hazard is
taking appropriate action when they notice something is unsafe at work
taking appropriate action if the fire alarm goes off
knowing why it is important to follow evacuation procedures
using appropriate methods to move objects in the workplace.
Note: You need to click the mouse to bring each example up on the slide.
Typical examples of safety rules could be:
staying on designated walkways
observing the hygiene signs
wearing protective clothing
If necessary, explain the term PPE and provide examples– this is also covered in a later slide
For example, ‘what might happen if people in the kitchen didn’t wash their hands regularly?’
Or
‘what might happen if we didn’t have designated walkways?’
Reiterate the message on the slide about people not getting hurt.
Using examples is always useful in training activities however it is important to make the example as relevant as possible to the experience of the participants. If there have been recent incidents of people being hurt because they have not followed the safety rules, they will be pparticularly useful.
insert a picture of the team leader on the slide
if you use another term (like supervisor or job coach) or reports of injuries need to be made to someone else, change the text on the slide
Show participants a copy of the workplace injury notification form.
Discuss filling out workplace forms, why this needs to be done and who can help.
Ask the participants for examples of where work is being done safely.
In some workplaces a graph with injury free days can be an ongoing reminder about safety in the workplace. It may even be possible to set a goal of injury free days and reward workers when this is achieved.
Remind participants about safety rules and why working safely is important.
Before displaying the answer to the main question, discuss with participants what they think a hazard is.
Ask them to give examples of some hazards in their workplace.
When identifying hazards remember to consider
Equipment (eg box cutters)
Product (eg paper)
Furniture and fittings (eg broken glass, a sharp edge on a metal shelf)
Ask the participants to identify the hazards in each picture.
When the hazard has been identified work through the safe working behaviours and PPE required to reduce the hazard.
For example in the picture provided the hazard/s are:
box cutting knife blade exposed
The safe working behaviours are:
using appropriate PPE when using the knife
Tips for removing photographs and inserting new ones are included in the trainer’s guide.
Ask the participants to identify the hazards in each picture.
When the hazard has been identified work through the safe working behaviours and PPE required to reduce the hazard.
For example in the picture provided the hazard/s are:
Packaging left on the floor is a trip hazard
The safe working behaviours are:
Keeping the workplace tidy
Tips for removing photographs and inserting new ones are included in the trainer’s guide
Ask the participants to identify the hazards in each picture.
When the hazard has been identified work through the safe working behaviours and PPE required to reduce the hazard.
For example in the picture provided the hazard/s are:
noise
sparks
The safe working behaviours are:
using appropriate PPE
working behind welding screens
Tips for removing photographs and inserting new ones are included in the trainer’s guide.
Ask the participants to identify the hazards in each picture.
When the hazard has been identified work through the safe working behaviours and PPE required to reduce the hazard.
For example in the picture provided the hazard/s are:
sparks
arc flash
spatter
heat
radiation
The safe working behaviours are:
wearing appropriate PPE
using welding screens
Tips for removing photographs and inserting new ones are included in the trainer’s guide.
As you show the slides:
ask the group to tell you what hazard each sign is warning of.
discuss how to avoid being hurt by these hazards.
For example, the Forklift hazard sign lets us know that a forklift is operating in the area. To avoid being hurt by a forklift we need to keep to designated walkways, walk and not run and keep alert.
Remind participants about safety rules, why working safely is important and about hazards in the workplace
As each item of PPE appears ask participants:
to identify what it is
what it protects them from
when they are expected to wear it
For example goggles are to protect workers’ eyes from hazards including sparks from a machine. They need to be worn when the worker is using an angle grinder.
Remind participants about safety rules and why working safely is important.
Suggestions:
ask participants where these signs are posted.
ensure that workers know what they must DO when they see the sign – you want to be sure they can understand the safety requirement not just read or remember the words on the sign.
ask participants what PPE is associated with this sign.
Remind participants about safety rules and why working safely is important.
Explain the term ‘manual handling’
why it is important to use the right equipment when moving something
how things are lifted in their work area (i.e. what lifting equipment do they have?)
location of feet
location of hands
position of the back
lifting with the legs
Demonstrate correct lifting technique
Practice by asking each participant to show you how to lift properly
Explain the types of things that can be moved manually and the important aspects of lifting properly:
location of feet
location of hands
position of the back
lifting with the legs
lifting together
Demonstrate correct lifting technique
Practice by asking pairs of participants to show you how to lift properly
Demonstrate the correct use of a trolley
Practice by asking each participant to show you how to use a trolley properly.
running over, into or crushing objects/people with a heavy load
lowering heavy loads (watch your feet)
demonstrate how to use a pallet jack.
Practice by asking each participant to show you how to use a pallet jack properly
Explain that you can ask a forklift operator to help you if you need to move something heavy
Use the tips in the trainers guide to change the slides to identify the safe working behaviours in the participants’ workplace
At the beginning of this session take a few minutes to reflect on the areas covered in the previous sessions.
Remind participants about safety rules and why working safely is important.
Discuss the safety checks you need to complete to be working safely
Have a list of basic safety checks for machines in the workplace, and a copy of the safety instructions for each machine.
Ask participants what could happen if the various safety checks aren’t done
As a follow up activity consider conducting a safety check with each participant at their individual work station. This activity could help reinforce the learning and/or provide you with an opportunity to go over the material again.
Suggestions:
identify the hazard
discuss what should be done
Suggestions:
identify the hazard
discuss what should be done
Suggestions:
identify the hazard
discuss what should be done
Suggestions:
identify the hazard
discuss what should be done
Explain what hazards could be removed (eg an extension lead left out) and which hazards should be reported (eg oil leaking from a motor).
Give examples of various hazards relevant to your workplace and ask participants what they would do.
Explain the difference between fixing a hazard (eg a small spill, air hose left out, rubbish on the ground etc) and reporting a hazard (eg a loose hand rail, a broken window, sparks coming from a light switch etc)
Consider taking small work teams on a safety inspection of their work area. Develop a safety checklist relevant for each work area, an example is provided in the trainers guide.
Check you have explained to the participants the PPE they will need on the tour
eg safety glasses
eg safety boots
Remind participants about safety rules and why working safely is important.
demonstrate the sound of the alarm if possible
conduct an evacuation drill