PPE-GROUP 2 MACH 1.docx

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
MACH 1 – GROUP 2 Page 1
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. PPE suits can be similar in appearance to a cleanroom
suit.
Safety equipment and supervisor instructions at a construction site
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.
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 minimize 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 be applied, 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.

HISTORY OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
A 1568 painting depicting beekeepers in protective clothing, by Pieter Brueghel the Elder.
Early PPE such as body armor, boots and gloves focused on protecting the wearer's body from physical
injury. The plague doctors of sixteenth-century Europe also wore protective uniforms consisting of a full-
length gown, helmet, glass eye coverings, gloves and boots (see Plague doctor costume) to prevent
contagion when dealing with plague victims. These were made of thick material which was then covered in
wax to make it water-resistant. A mask with a beak-like structure was filled with pleasant-smelling flowers,
herbs and spices to prevent the spread of miasma, the prescientific belief of bad smells which spread
disease through the air. In more recent years, scientific personal protective equipment is generally believed
to have begun with the cloth facemasks promoted by Wu Lien-teh in the 1910–11 Manchurian pneumonic
plague outbreak, although many Western medics doubted the efficacy of facemasks in preventing the
spread of disease.
SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE PPE
It is important to consider the following factors influencing the selection of PPE:
1. Type of anticipated exposure: Such as from touch or surfaces, splashes or
sprays, or large volumes of bodily fluids, which may seep through the clothing.

PPE selection (and combinations of PPE), is determined by the category of
isolation of the patient being treated (see the link below from the CDC).
2. Durability and appropriateness of the PPE for the task. This will affect, for
example, whether a gown or apron is selected. If a gown is required, the type of
gown is also important. Does it need to be fluid resistant, fluid proof, both or
neither?
3. Fitting. PPE must fit the individual user (form a proper seal). For example; if a
glove is too large / too small than the person's hand, it will compromise the level
of protection while also affecting the dexterity of the health care provider.
Full list of recommendations for the application of standard precautions for the care of
all patients in all healthcare settings, according to the Centre for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC - US).
There are also some limiting factors to consider when wearing PPE in a healthcare
environment. It is important to have a full understanding of the different types of PPE
when making your selection based on the purpose and goal of the protection.
Using a head or full body ventilated PPE suit equipped with powered-air-purifying-
respirators was found to cause reduced dexterity due to multiple glove layering. Back
pain related to the respirator of the fully ventilated suit and impaired visibility by a
flexible face shield may also be an issue. The temperature of the work environment may
also have an impact on healthcare workers; working at a temperature of 28°C wearing a
full-body ventilated PPE may cause heat stress and dehydration, whereas a temperature
of 22°C had no negative impact on the same physical parameters.
The WHO recommends that airborne and contact precautions should be followed when
performing aerosol-generating procedures.
This includes the use of N95/respirators, eye protection, gloves and gowns (Aprons
should also be used if gowns are not fluid-resistant) However, follow your local
guidelines, as there are inconsistencies in the recommendations of organizations and
countries.

TYPES OF PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT)
OSHA standards require using PPE to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and
administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these exposures to acceptable
levels. Employers are required to determine if PPE should be used to protect their workers. They
must also ensure employees use and maintain PPE in a sanitary and reliable condition.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important part of safety measures in any workplace. It
protects individuals from potential risks, such as exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous
materials, and other physical hazards. Different types of PPE are available, depending on the
specific application or risk. Let’s take a look at the different types of PPE:
1. SAFETY HELMET
Head protection Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to protecting workers
in hazardous work environments. It includes a wide range of products, from hard hats
and face shields to welding helmets and respirators, designed to reduce the risk of
injury from head trauma, excessive noise, exposure to dangerous fumes and chemicals,

and other hazards. Here is an overview of the different types of head protection PPE
available:
Hard Hats: Hard hats are the most recognizable type of head protection PPE and are
designed to protect against blows to the head from falling objects, bumps, and other
impacts. They are made of a hard plastic shell with inner padding for cushioning and
come in various colors for easy identification by employers.
There are primarily two situations when employees must wear protective helmets.
1. Falling Objects
When there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects in the workplace,
the employer must ensure that each affected employee wears a protective helmet.
Some examples of work that might require helmets to protect from falling objects
include:
 Working below other workers who are using tools and materials which could
fall;
 Working around or under conveyor belts that are carrying parts or materials;
and
 Working below machinery or processes might cause materials or objects to
fall.
Some examples of occupations for which head protection should be routinely
considered are:
 Carpenters
 Electricians
 Linemen
 Mechanics and repairers
 Plumbers and pipe fitters
 Assemblers
 Packers
 Wrappers
 Sawyers
 Welders
 Laborers

 Freight handlers
 Timber cutting and logging
 Stock handlers
 Warehouse laborers
2. Electrical Hazards
The second situation requiring a helmet is to protect the worker from electrical hazards.
Whenever an employee works near exposed electrical conductors that could contact
the head, the employer must ensure that the employee wears a protective helmet to
reduce electrical shock hazards.
The employer should also furnish and ensure all employees and contractors engaged in
construction and other miscellaneous work use proper head protection. Engineers,
inspectors, and visitors at construction sites must wear protective helmets when hazards
from falling, fixed objects, or electrical shock are present.
Criteria For Protective Helmets
Protective helmets with OSHA 1910.135, Head Protection states that helmets purchased
after July 5, 1994, must comply with ANSI Z89.1 or must be demonstrated by the
employer to be equally effective. Purchasing helmets that meet these standards ensures
that appropriate testing has been conducted and that the quality of the materials
(webbing and shell) is adequate.
Selection Guidelines For Head Protection
Knowledge of the potential for falling objects and electrical hazards is essential when
selecting head protection. When it’s determined that these hazards exist, choose the
most appropriate helmet from the categories listed below.
Impact Type Helmets
 Type I: A helmet of Type I is designed to provide protection only to the top of
the head. It is not intended to provide impact from side impacts. (This is by
far the most commonly used type of hard hat.)
 Type II: A Type II helmet is designed to protect against top and side impacts.
Electrical Classes

 Class G (General): Class G helmets are intended to reduce the danger of
contact exposure to low-voltage conductors. Test samples are proof-tested at
2200 volts (phase to ground). However, this voltage does not indicate the
voltage at which the helmet protects the wearer.
 Class E (Electrical): Class E helmets are intended to reduce the danger of
exposure to high-voltage conductors. Test samples are proof-tested at 20,000
volts (phase to ground). However, this voltage does not indicate the voltage
at which the helmet protects the wearer.
 Class C (Conductive): Class C helmets are not intended to provide protection
against contact with electrical conductors.
Bump caps or skull guards should be issued and worn for protection against scalp
lacerations from contact with sharp objects. However, it’s essential to understand that
they must not be worn as substitutes for safety caps/hats because they do not provide
protection from impact forces or penetration by falling objects.
2. SAFETY GLOVES

Employers must select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when
exposed to any of the hazards listed below:
 hazardous chemicals that can cause burns, rashes, and internal injury;
 cuts or lacerations;
 abrasions; • punctures;
 thermal burns; and
 harmful temperature extremes.
Glove Guide
Below is a guide to the most common types of protective work gloves and the types of
hazards they can guard against:
 Disposable Gloves: Disposable gloves, usually lightweight plastic, can help
guard against mild irritants.
 Fabric Gloves: These gloves are made of cotton or fabric blends. They’re
generally used to improve grip when handling slippery objects. They also help
insulate hands from mild heat or cold.
 Leather Gloves: These gloves guard against injuries from sparks or scraping
against rough surfaces. They are also used with an insulated liner when
working with electricity.
 Metal Mesh Gloves: These gloves protect hands from accidental cuts and
scratches. People commonly use them with cutting tools or other sharp
instruments.
 Aluminized Gloves: These gloves made of aluminized fabric are designed to
insulate hands from intense heat. These gloves are most commonly used by
persons working with molten materials.
 Chemical Resistance Gloves: These gloves may be rubber, neoprene,
polyvinyl alcohol or vinyl, etc. The gloves protect hands from corrosives, oils,
and solvents. When selecting chemical resistance gloves, consult the
manufacturer’s recommendations, especially if the gloved hand is immersed
in the chemical.

Selection Of Hand Protection
Employers must work closely with their PPE suppliers to select appropriate hand
protection based on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand
protection. The employer needs to look at each of the following:
 Specific task(s) being performed;
 Environmental conditions present;
 Duration of hand protection use while performing the task;
 The actual hazards; and
 Potential hazards.
The work activities of the employee should also be studied to determine the
following:
 The degree of dexterity required;
 The duration of the task;
 The frequency of the task;
 Degree of exposure to the hazard; and
 The physical stresses that will be applied.
Gloves should be replaced periodically, depending on the frequency of use and
permeability to the substance(s) handled. Gloves overtly contaminated should be rinsed
and then carefully removed after use. With this in mind, there are two essential
characteristics of gloves to consider.
 Permeation rate: The permeation rate measures the time it takes a given
material (glove) to become saturated by the chemical through absorption.
 Breakthrough or Penetration rate: The penetration rate measures the
speed with which a given chemical breaks through the layer(s) of the glove to
contact the skin.
Gloves should also be worn whenever it is necessary to handle rough or sharp-edged
objects and very hot or cold materials. The type of glove material used in these
situations includes leather, welder gloves, aluminum-backed gloves, and other insulated
gloves

3. SAFETY SHOES
The employer must make sure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when
working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to the following:
 Falling or rolling objects;
 Objects piercing the sole; and/or
 Where feet are exposed to electrical hazards.
Types Of Footwear
1. Steel-Reinforced Safety Shoes: These shoes protect feet from common machinery
hazards such as falling or rolling objects, cuts, and punctures. The entire toe box and insole are
reinforced with steel, and the instep is protected by steel, aluminum, or plastic materials. Safety
shoes are also designed to insulate against temperature extremes and may be equipped with
unique soles to guard against slips, chemicals, and/or electrical hazards.
2. Safety Boots: Safety boots offer more protection when splash or spark hazards (chemicals,
molten materials) are present.
 When working with corrosives, caustics, cutting oils, and petroleum products, neoprene
or nitrile boots are often required to prevent penetration.
 Foundry or “Gaiter” style boots feature quick-release fasteners or elasticized insets to
allow speedy removal should any hazardous substances get into the boot.

 Special electrical hazard boots are available when working with electricity and are
designed with no conductive materials other than the steel toe (which is properly
insulated).
Electrical Protective Equipment : All electrical protective equipment must be maintained in a safe
and reliable condition to prevent injury from exposure to electrical conductors. Electrical protective
equipment includes the following:
 Insulating blankets;
 Covers;
 Line hose;
 Gloves; and
 Sleeves made of rubber.
All electrical protective equipment made of rubber should meet the established safety standards
and specifications discussed below.
Inspecting Equipment: To ensure electrical protective equipment performs as designed, it must
be inspected for damage before each day’s use and immediately following any incident that can
reasonably be suspected of having caused damage. Insulating gloves must be given an air test
along with the inspection.
Defects: Insulating equipment must not be used if any of the following defects are detected:
 a hole, tear, puncture, or cut;
 ozone cutting or ozone checking (the cutting action produced by ozone on rubber
under mechanical stress into a series of interlacing cracks);
 an embedded foreign object;
 changes in the texture,, including swelling, softening, hardening, or becoming sticky or
inelastic; or
 any other defect that damages the insulating properties.
Electrical Protective Gloves: Protector gloves must be worn over insulating gloves. An exception
is using Class 0 gloves under limited-use conditions, where small equipment and parts
manipulation necessitate unusually high finger dexterity. But, it’s important to note that extra care
must be taken while visually examining the glove. Also, make sure to avoid handling sharp objects.
Any other glove class may be used for similar work without protector gloves if the employer can
demonstrate that the possibility of physical damage to the gloves is slight and if the glove class is
one class higher than that required for the voltage involved. Insulating gloves that have been used
without protector gloves may not be used at a higher voltage until they have been tested.

4. EAR MUFFS
Noise-induced hearing loss is the term for hearing damaged by exposure to excessive noise. The
damage to hearing caused by excessive noise at work may not be apparent for years. Hearing loss
can’t be treated or cured but can be prevented.
Sound And Noise
 Sound is what you hear. Our sensation of very small, rapid changes in air pressure.
 Noise is any sound that you don’t want to hear. Sound is measured in two ways:
decibels and frequency.
 Decibels indicate the pressure of sound. Sound waves transfer that pressure from place
to place and are expressed in units on a logarithmic scale.
 Frequency is related to a sound’s pitch and is measured in units called hertz (Hz), or
cycles per second. The pitch of a sound – how high or low it seems – is how you
perceive its frequency.
Hearing Protectors
As you are probably aware, there are four types of hearing protectors.
 Molded earplugs are usually made of plastic or silicone rubber. They are available in
various shapes and sizes and are usually characterized by one or more ribs or contours.
They are considered multiple uses; therefore, they must be cleaned and properly stored
after each use.

 Custom-molded earplugs are generally made of plastic and are designed from a
molded wax insert of the wearer’s ears. They are considered multiple uses but cannot
be switched ear to ear.
 Self-molded earplugs are generally made of mineral down or plastic foam and are
molded or formed by the wearer. Generally, one size fits all and may be either single or
multiple users.
 Earmuffs are designed to be multiple uses and may be designed to be worn with the
harness over or behind the head or below the chin. They are generally more
comfortable but usually provide less noise reduction, thus less protection, than ear
plugs.
5. COVERALL
Protective coveralls that are used to prevent personal accidents from hazards. Coveralls protect your body when
working with paint, during construction, mold removal, disaster cleanup, and other situations with harmful
substances. They are called coveralls because they cover the entire body from head to toe. Being a safety gear
for various professions, coveralls are also used as a standard uniform in some workplace settings.
These various work environments require different levels of protection, ranging from respirators or earplugs and
eye protection to abrasion shielding. Knowing where to start when it comes to choosing the right coverall can be
overwhelming and confusing. With all the occupational safety options on the market, it’s easy to get lost in all
the information.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COVERALL
Choosing the right protective coverall is just like picking the right glasses or mask. Think about where you’ll use it
and what you need it for. It’s important to do a risk analysis before deciding which options may be right for you.
By asking yourself the following questions, it will help simplify the selection process.
 What type of containments, chemicals or liquids will be on the job?
 Is it important for the coverall to be impenetrable?
 Is full coverage needed? Hood? Boots?
 What temperature or climate will you be working in? Is breathability important to reduce heat
stress?
When exploring how to choose the right personal protective coverall, it may seem obvious, but it’s important to
ensure you’re wearing the correct size for the best protection possible.
6. WELDING MASKS

Welding masks are essential to protect the wearer from the side-effects of welding. Flash-burn, sparks and
excessive heat are all common risks in the welding process, and welding helmets and masks provide much
needed protection for the welders face and eyes.RS offers a wide range of adjustable helmets and masks, with
solutions to support your workplace requirements.
How Do Welding Masks Work?
A welding mask is a protective head shield that covers your face and eyes. It provides a fixed-darkness or auto-
darkening viewing portal so you can concentrate on your work without your eyes being damaged by flash burn
or errant sparks. They are typically constructed of fibreglass or Polyamide, which offers sufficient protection while
remaining relatively lightweight.
7. CHEMICAL SUIT
The purpose of chemical protective clothing and equipment is to shield or isolate
individuals from the chemical, physical, and biological hazards that may be encountered
during hazardous materials operations. During chemical operations, it is not always
apparent when exposure occurs. Many chemicals pose invisible hazards and offer no
warning properties.

1. Chemical Hazards.
Chemicals present a variety of hazards such as toxicity, corrosiveness, flammability,
reactivity, and oxygen deficiency. Depending on the chemicals present, any combination of
hazards may exist.
2. Physical Environment.
Chemical exposure can happen anywhere: in industrial settings, on the highways, or in
residential areas. It may occur either indoors or outdoors; the environment may be
extremely hot, cold, or moderate; the exposure site may be relatively uncluttered or
rugged, presenting a number of physical hazards; chemical handling activities may involve
entering confined spaces, heavy lifting, climbing a ladder, or crawling on the ground. The
choice of ensemble components must account for these conditions.
3. Duration of Exposure.
The protective qualities of ensemble components may be limited to certain exposure levels
(e.g. material chemical resistance, air supply). The decision for ensemble use time must be
made assuming the worst case exposure so that safety margins can be applied to increase
the protection available to the worker.
4. Protective Clothing or Equipment Available.
Hopefully, an array of different clothing or equipment is available to workers to meet all
intended applications. Reliance on one particular clothing or equipment item may severely
limit a facility's ability to handle a broad range of chemical exposures. In its acquisition of
equipment and clothing, the safety department or other responsible authority should
attempt to provide a high degree of flexibility while choosing protective clothing and
equipment that is easily integrated and provides protection against each conceivable
hazard.
Heart Rate
Count the radial pulse during a 30-second period as early as possible in any rest period. If
the heart rate exceeds 110 beats per minute at the beginning of the rest period, the next
work cycle should be shortened by one-third.

Oral Temperature
Do not permit an end user to wear protective clothing and engage in work when his or her
oral temperature exceeds 100.6°F (38.1°C).
Use a clinical thermometer (three minutes under the tongue) or similar device to measure
oral temperature at the end of the work period (before drinking), as follows:
° If the oral temperature exceeds 99.6°F (37.6°C), shorten the next work period by at least
one-third.
° If the oral temperature exceeds 99.6°F (37.6°C) at the beginning of a response period,
shorten the mission time by one-third.
Body Water Loss
Measure the end user's weight on a scale accurate to plus or minus 0.25 pounds prior to
any response activity. Compare this weight with his or her normal body weight to
determine if enough fluids have been consumed to prevent dehydration. Weights should
be taken while the end user wears similar clothing, or ideally, in the nude. The body water
loss should not exceed 1.5% of the total body weight loss from a response.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an invaluable tool in our efforts to ensure workplace safety
across a multitude of industries. From steel-reinforced safety shoes to custom-molded earplugs,
the diverse range of PPE is a testament to our commitment to safeguarding workers from the
potential dangers they face daily. The six types of PPE we’ve explored—eye and face protection,
respiratory protection, head protection, hand protection, foot protection, and hearing protection—
are each critical elements in this commitment.
As we’ve delved into each category, we’ve gained a greater understanding of the immense
thought, research, and technology that goes into designing these life-saving products. But it’s
important to remember that using PPE is only one component of a comprehensive safety plan.
Employers should prioritize the implementation of hazard controls and safety training alongside
the provision of PPE to establish a safety culture.

The right PPE can protect workers from immediate danger, but it is through knowledge,
preparation, and prevention that we can reduce those dangers in the first place. Let this
exploration of PPE be a stepping stone in your journey to creating a safer work environment.
Remember, the safety of every worker is paramount, and it’s our collective responsibility to ensure
that they have the best protection possible, every day.
8. EYE PROTECTION
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.[12] 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.[13]
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.[13]
 Goggles provide better protection than safety glasses, and are effective in preventing eye
injury from chemical splashes, impact, dusty environments and welding.[13] Goggles with
high air flow should be used to prevent fogging.[13]
 Face shields provide additional protection and are worn over the standard eyewear; they
also provide protection from impact, chemical, and blood-borne hazards.[13]

 Full-face piece 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.[13]
 Eye protection for welding is shaded to different degrees, depending on the specific
operation

PPE-GROUP 2 MACH 1.docx

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to PPE-GROUP 2 MACH 1.docx

Similar to PPE-GROUP 2 MACH 1.docx (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

PPE-GROUP 2 MACH 1.docx