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Occupational Safety and Health Act :

OSHA
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 Definition
◦ Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective
clothing and devices worn by workers to prevent injury

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 PPE is widely accepted and used
◦ Employers often require PPE to enter a worksite
◦ Employees often demand “safety gear”
 “Hierarchy of Controls” paradigm
◦ Occupational hazards must first be controlled by
engineering administrative means before relying on PPE
◦ PPE is a “receiver” control

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 1910.132, General Requirements
◦ Amended 1994, to be "more consistent with the current
consensus regarding good industry practices “
 PPE must be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and
reliable condition "wherever it is necessary by reason of
hazards . . . capable of causing injury or impairment . . . .“
 Employers are responsible for employee-owned equipment.
 PPE must be of safe design and construction
 Defective or damaged PPE shall not be used

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 1910.132, General Requirements (cont.)
◦ Employers must assess the workplace to evaluate
hazards that require the use of PPE
 Select and require the use of appropriate PPE
 Inform affected employees of selection
decisions
 Select properly fitting PPE for each employee
 Refer to Appendix B for an example of hazard
assessment procedures

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 1910.132, General Requirements (cont.)
◦ Employers must certify in writing their compliance to the
hazard assessment requirements:
 Identity of the evaluated workplace
 The person certifying that they have done the evaluation
 Date(s) of the hazard assessment
 Employers must identify the document as a certification of
hazard assessment

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 1910.132, General Requirements (cont.)
◦ PPE training
 Each employee required to use PPE must be trained:
 When PPE is necessary
 What PPE is necessary
 How to properly adjust, and wear PPE
 PPE limitations
 Care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE.

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 1910.132, General Requirements (cont.)
◦ PPE training (cont.)
 Employees must demonstrate, before using PPE
 An understanding of the training
 The ability to use PPE properly
◦ Employees must be retrained whenever:
 Workplace changes render previous training obsolete
 Previous training becomes obsolete due to changes in PPE
used
 An employee's knowledge or actions show they have "not
retained the requisite understanding or skill"

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 1910.132, General Requirements (cont.)
◦ PPE training (cont.)
 Employers must certify in writing that each employee
received and understood the training

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 Eye and face protection:
 Head Protection
 Foot Protection
 Electrical Protective Devices
 Hand Protection
 Hearing Protection
 Protective Clothing
 (Chemical Protective Clothing and Respiratory
Protection)

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 Eye injuries accounted for 5% of all disabling work
injuries, estimated $300 million annual cost.
 60% of workers with eye injuries were not wearing

protective eyewear.

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 1910.133, Eye and Face Protection
◦ Side protection when hazard from flying objects
◦ Prescription eye protection or devices must fit over
glasses for employees who wear glasses
◦ Eye and face PPE shall be distinctly marked
◦ Lenses for protection against radiant energy must have
an appropriate shade number for the work being
performed
◦ Protective eye and face devices shall comply with ANSI
Z87.1-1989, "American National Standard Practice for
Occupational and Educational Eye and Face
Protection,"

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 Additional ANSI requirements
◦ Testing
 Normal, high velocity and high mass impact, penetration
(plastic)
 Corrosion and flammability resistance
 Cleanability
 Optical criteria
 Minimum thickness

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 Types of protectors:
◦ Spectacles
 Side shields
 Plano or prescription lenses
 Special purpose lenses
◦ Face shields
 Secondary protection - used only with primary protectors
(spectacles or goggles)

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 Types of protectors (cont.):
◦ Goggles
 Can be worn over spectacles
 Direct or Indirect ventilation (for dust, liquids or light)
 Special purpose lenses
◦ Welding helmets or hand shields

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 Goggles
◦ Chemical Splash
◦ Impact
 Safety glasses

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 Indirect ventilation
Goggles:

'Indirect ventilation'
goggles are not
perforated, but are fitted
with baffled ventilators to
prevent liquids and dust
from entering. Indirect
ventilation goggles will
not protect against gas or
vapor.

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 Non-Ventilated Goggles:

◦ Do not allow the passage of

air into the goggle

◦ Prevent splash entry

◦ May fog and require frequent

lens cleaning

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 DO NOT use any faceshield unless you
also wear suitable primary eye protection
devices (spectacles or goggles).
 Faceshields are heavier & bulkier than
other types of eye protector but are
comfortable if fitted with an adjustable
head harness.
 Faceshields protect the face but do not
fully enclose the eyes and therefore do
not protect against dusts, mist or gases
◦ Transparent face shields must be replaced
when warped, scratched or brittle with age

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 Mosthead injuries occur to workers
who were not wearing head
protection

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 1910.135, Head Protection
◦ Employees must wear appropriate protective helmets in
areas of falling object hazards or exposed electrical
conductors
◦ Protective helmets must comply with ANSI Z89.1-1986,
"American National Standard for Personnel Protection-
Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers-
Requirements,"

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 Additional requirements of ANSI Z89.11- 1997
◦ ANSI details at
http://www.msanet.com/msanorthamerica/msaunitedstates/AN
SI-Z89.1-1997.html
◦ Specifications
 Adjustable headbands, sweat band
 Shell supported above the head by a suspension cradle
(crown straps) and/or padding
◦ Testing
 Force transmission
 Apex Penetration
 Energy attenuation
 Off-center penetration
 Electrical

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 ANSI Z89.1 (cont.)
◦ Classifications of head protection
 Type I – impact on top only
 Type II – top or off-center impact
 Class G - limited voltages
 Class E - high voltages
 Class C - no voltage protection
◦ Inspection and maintenance:
 Daily inspection
 Avoid painting helmets or cleaning with solvents
 Consult with the manufacturer
 Do not store in window of automobile
 Do not make holes or use metallic decorations

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 A rigid shell that resists and deflects
blows to the head; 
 Suspension system inside acts
as a shock absorber
 Some hats serve as an
insulator against  electrical
shocks
 Shields your scalp, face, neck,
and shoulders against
splashes, spills, and drips
 Some can be modified so you
can add face shields, goggles,
hoods or hearing protection

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 Shells should be inspected for dents, cracks,
gouges & any damage from impact, penetration,
abrasions, rough treatment or wear.

 Degradation of thermoplastic material may be

apparent when the shell becomes stiff, brittle,
faded, dull in color or chalky in appearance.

 Replace at the first sign of any of these conditions

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 Types:
◦ Ear plugs usually best for continuous
exposure situations
 Formable (foam)
 Premolded
 Custom molded
◦ Canal cap protectors are convenient
when noise areas are frequently
entered and exited

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 Types (cont.):
◦ Ear muffs may be better for high frequencies, can be
combined with ear plugs for extra protection

            

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 OSHA standard 1910.151, First Aid
◦ " Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed
to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for
quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be
provided within the work area for immediate emergency
use."

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 ANSI Z353.1, Emergency Eyewash and Shower
Equipment
◦ Emergency showers and eyewash units must be readily
accessible
 Accessible within 10 seconds
 Located as close to a hazard as possible (always within 100
ft.)
 Locations well lighted and identified with a highly visible sign

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 ANSI Z353.1, (cont.)
◦ Flowrate
 Showers require at least 30 gpm
 Eyewash units must provide at least 0.4
gpm to both eyes for 15 minutes
 Valves remain activated until intentionally
shut off
◦ Tested weekly

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 ANSI Z353.1, (cont.)
◦ Hand operated drench hoses and eyewash bottles may
be used to supplement but not replace eyewash and
emergency shower equipment

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 A hazardous task
assessment may be
done to determine if
you need to wear a
respirator
 If you are required to
wear a respirator you
will be included in our
respiratory protection
program
 You must be medically
cleared to wear a
respirator
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 In addition to the
initial fit-test,
wearers must check
the seal of their
respirators every time
they put them on
 User seal checks are
necessary to ensure
that the respirator
has been put on
correctly

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 Only suitable for
non-hazardous,
non-respirable nuisance
dusts.

 If your employer provides

respirators for your voluntary
use, or if you provide your own
respirator, you need to take
certain precautions to be sure
that the respirator itself does
not present a hazard.

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Many different types available
 “N” if they are
not resistant
to oil
 “R” if
somewhat
resistant to
oil, and
 “P” if strongly
resistant (oil
proof).

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Helmet or hood
respirators can be
effective in

protecting workers
with facial hair, or in
other applications
where conventional
respirators do not
provide adequate fit,
comfort or
protection.

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 Hand and finger injuries account for 18% of
all disabling injuries and about 25% of all
industrial work place accidents

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 1910.138, Hand Protection
◦ Employees must use appropriate hand protection when
hands are exposed to hazards:
 skin absorption of harmful substances
 severe cuts or lacerations
 severe abrasions
 Punctures
 chemical burns
 thermal burns
 harmful temperature extremes

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 1910.138, Hand Protection
(cont.)
◦ Hand protection must be selected
in accord with an evaluation of:
 performance characteristics
 conditions present
 duration of use
 hazards and potential hazards
identified.

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 1910.95 requires hearing protection for employees
exposed above 85 dB
◦ Hearing protectors are labeled with the NRR (noise
reduction rating).

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 It has been estimated that almost 20%
of all disabling accidents on the job
involve the hands
 Some examples of traumatic injuries to
your hands: 
◦ Cuts: Tools and machines with a sharp edges
◦ Punctures: Staples, screwdrivers, nails,
chisels and stiff  wire
◦ Sprains, Crushing Injuries: Getting your
hands caught in machinery

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 Gloves
◦ Cotton
◦ Leather
◦ Latex
◦ Viton
◦ Butyl
◦ Neoprene
◦ PVC
◦ Nitrile
◦ Other

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 Deliver comfort,
flexibility, sensitivity
 Translucent white, 5-mil
vinyl
 Non-allergenic
alternative to latex
 Lightly-powdered or
powder-free

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 Provide cut,
puncture and
abrasion-
resistance
 Latex coating on
palm, fingertips
and thumb
 Crinkle finish for
superior grip in
wet and dry
applications

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 Tacky nitrile coating
for sure grip
 Offers better fit and
grip than uncoated
cotton or string knit
gloves

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 Versatile, reusable Latex
 18-mil, 100% natural latex
– excellent tensile strength
and sensitivity; good grip
 Resists detergents, acids,
salts, caustics, fats and
alcohol
 Cotton lining for ease of
donning
 12” length protects wrists
and forearm

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 Strong, comfortable
and economical
 Textured fingertips
for secure grip
 Available lightly
powdered or powder-
free

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 Comfort of latex plus the
chemical protection of
neoprene
 Provides excellent chemical
resistance against acids, oils,
grease, salts, animal fats and
battery acid
 Resist puncture, tears and
abrasion
 Ideal for auto and battery
manufacturing, chemical
plants, cleaning printing
presses and wiping down
machinery

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 Offers greater
resistance to
gas and water
vapors than
Neoprene
 Provides greater
safety when
handling toxic
substances like
ketones, esters,
etc

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 Gloves are PVC
with nitrile-
reinforced
coating
 Textured to
improve wet grip
 Cotton interlock
liner for comfort

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 Excellent resistance
to a variety of
solvents and
petroleum products
 Resist most liquids
 Resist cuts, snags,
punctures, swelling
and degradation by
organic solvents and
hydrocarbons

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Be sure you
know which
glove is
appropriate
for the
chemical
you are
using

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 Toe and foot injuries account for 5% of all
disabling workplace injuries. Workers not
wearing safety shoes have 75% of all
occupational foot injuries.

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 1910.136, Occupational Foot Protection
◦ Employees must wear protective footwear in areas in
danger of foot injuries
 falling or rolling objects
 objects piercing the sole
 electrical hazards
◦ Protective footwear shall comply with ANSI Z41-1991,
"American National Standard for Personal Protection-
Protective Footwear,"

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 Requirements of ANSI Z41
◦ Footwear classified by impact and compression
resistance
◦ Special footwear types
 Metatarsal (protects top of foot)
 Conductive (primarily for static electricity control)
 Electrical hazard (insulated)
 Sole puncture resistance

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 Compression Injuries Heavy
machinery, equipment, and other
objects can roll over your feet.
The result of these types of
accidents is often broken or
crushed bones.
 Injuries from Spills and Splashes
Liquids such as acids, caustics,
and molten metals can spill into
your shoes and boots. These
hazardous materials can cause
chemical and heat burns.

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What kind of shoe
should electricians
wear?
◦ Shoes with non-
conductive soles
meeting the
requirements of ANSI
Z41 PT9l (M/F) I-75
C-75 EH.  "EH"
represents the
"electrical hazard"
designation.

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 Work shoes
 Boots
 Steel-toed shoes & boots

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 Other options in
steel-toed shoes

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 Uniforms
 Disposable clothing
 Vests
◦ Cooling
◦ Visibility
 Cold weather

protection

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 Protective clothing may be worn to shield
against heat, chemicals, etc.
 Many OSHA standards apply
◦ Carcinogens (asbestos, arsenic, etc.)
◦ Abrasive blasting
◦ Hazardous waste operations
◦ Welding
◦ Saw and paper mills
◦ Fire fighting
◦ Working over water (flotation)
◦ Signaling (visibility)

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 Clothing types
◦ Coveralls
◦ Splash ("acid") suits
◦ Totally-encapsulating chemical-protective suit ("moon
suits")
◦ Firefighters "turnout" gear
◦ Protective sleeves
◦ Aprons
◦ Shoe covers, etc.

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 Select clothing according to hazard and worksite
conditions
◦ Size
 ANSI/ISEA 101-199 standard
◦ Chemical compatibility
 Addressed later in the course
◦ Breathability
 Heat stress consideration

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 1910.137, Electrical protective devices.
◦ Insulating blankets, matting, covers, line hose,
gloves, and rubber sleeves are classified
from 0 to 4 according to electrical resistance:
 Proof-Test Voltage for Class 0 is 5,000 VAC, or
20,000 VDC
 Proof-Test Voltage for Class 4 is 40,000 VAC or
70,000 VDC
 Electrical protective equipment must be inspected
daily for defects

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• Employers must protect employees from
workplace hazards such as machines,
hazardous substances, and dangerous work
procedures that can cause injury
• Employers must:
 Use all feasible engineering and work practice
controls to eliminate and reduce hazards
 Then use appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE) if these controls do not eliminate
the hazards.
• Remember, PPE is the last level of control!

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If . . .
The machine or work environment can be physically changed to prevent
employee exposure to the potential hazard,

Then . . .
The hazard can be eliminated with an engineering control.

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Examples . . .
• Initial design specifications
• Substitute less harmful material
• Change process
• Enclose process
• Isolate process
• Ventilation

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If . . .
Employees can be removed from exposure to the potential hazard
by changing the way they do their jobs,

Then . . .
The hazard can be eliminated with a work practice control.

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Examples . . .
• Use of wet methods to suppress dust
• Personal hygiene
• Housekeeping and maintenance
• Job rotation of workers

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