This document summarizes personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for construction workers in Ontario, Canada according to Regulation 213/91. It outlines the requirements for hard hats, protective footwear, eye protection, and skin protection. Hard hats must be CSA-approved Class E types that protect against impacts, penetration, and 20,000 volts of electricity. Steel-toed CSA-approved Grade 1 boots offer the highest level of foot protection. Eye protection is needed to guard against hazards like flying debris and chemicals. Gloves and other gear help shield skin from sharp edges, heat, chemicals, and vibration. PPE reduces but does not eliminate risks, so proper selection, use, and maintenance are important.

1. Health & Safety
Zaman Khan

2. Personal Protective Clothing,
Equipment and Device

3. Ontario Regulation 213/91
Construction Projects
PART II
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

4. • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is
designed to protect against safety and/or
health hazards. Hard hats, safety glasses,
and safety boots, for instance, are
designed to prevent or reduce the severity
of injury if an accident occurs.

5. • Other PPE, such as hearing and
respiratory protection, is designed to
prevent illnesses and unwanted health
effects.

6. • It is important to remember that PPE only
provides protection. It reduces the risk but
does not eliminate the hazard.

7. • The Occupational Health and Safety Act
makes employers and supervisors
responsible for ensuring that required PPE
is worn.

8. Ontario Regulation 213/91, s.22

9. HEAD
• Under this regulation, hard hats are
mandatory for all construction workers on
the job in Ontario.
• The hard hat must protect the wearer's
head against impact and against small
flying or falling objects, and must be able
to withstand an electrical contact equal to
20,000 volts phase to ground.

10. Ministry of Labour (MOL)
• At the present time, the MOL considers the
following classes of hard hats to be in
compliance with the regulation
• CSA
• • Z94.1-05: Class E, Type 1
• • Z94.1-05: Class E, Type 2
• • Z94.1-1992: Class E

11. • ANSI
• • ANSI Z89.1-2009: Class E, Type I
• • ANSI Z89.1-2009: Class E, Type II
• • ANSI Z89.1-2003: Class E, Type I
• • ANSI Z89.1-2003: Class E, Type II

12. TYPE & CLASSES
• Type 1 - protection from impact and penetration at the crown
(top) and
• Type 2 - protection from impact, penetration at the crown (top)
and laterally (sides)
• Each type is also available in the following classes:
Class E (20 000 V electrical rating) - non-conducting material
(electrical trades)
Class G (2200 V electrical rating) - non-conducting material
(general trades)
Class C (no electrical rating)

13. What you should know!
The “Type” and “Class” of hard hat can be identified by the CSA or ANSI label. Some
manufacturers also stamp the CSA or ANSI classification into the shell of the hard hat
under the brim. Other markings that should be found here include:
• a) manufacturer's identity
• b) model
• c) class and type (e.g. Class E, Type 2)
• d) reverse orientation mark if applicable
• e) year and month of manufacture
• f) size or size range
• g) the following wording
This protective headwear is designed to absorb some of the energy of a blow through
destruction of its component parts and, even though damage may not be apparent, any
partial protective headwear subjected to severe impact should be replaced.

14. • This protective headwear must not be
painted or cleaned with solvents. Any
decals applied to the protective headwear
must be compatible with the surface
material and known not to affect adversely
the characteristics of the materials used in
the protective headwear.

15. • If you are at risk for head injury at your
workplace, you should wear the
appropriate head protection.
• If head protection is required, establish a
complete safety protection program
including selection, fit testing, training,
maintenance and inspection.

16. • Choose the correct headwear for the job.
Refer to CSA Standard Z94.1-05 "Industrial
Protective Headwear - Performance,
Selection, Care, and Use" or the legislation
that applies in your jurisdiction.

17. Ontario Regulation 213/91 s.23

18. FOOT
• Ankle injuries represent 65 per cent of all
foot injuries in Ontario construction.
• Properly worn, a CSA-certified Grade 1
work boot meets the requirements of the
current construction regulation (O. Reg.
213/91) and helps protect against ankle
and other injuries.

19. • One of three CSA grades, Grade 1 offers
the highest protection and is the only one
allowed in construction. In a Grade 1 boot,
a steel toe protects against falling objects
while a steel insole prevents punctures to
the bottom of the foot.

20. • Grade 1 boots can be identified by a
green triangular patch imprinted with
the CSA logo on the outside of the
boot and a green label indicating
Grade 1 protection on the inside of
the boot.

21. • Grade 1 boots are also available with
metatarsal and dielectric protection. A
white label with the Greek letter Omega in
orange indicates protection against electric
shock under dry conditions.

22. Ontario Regulation 213/91 s.24

23. EYE
Injuries Associated with Construction Hazards
• The cornea is the front layer of the eye and the
first point at which light enters the eye; if light
rays cannot pass through the cornea, vision is
prevented. Injuries to the cornea that cause
scarring, scratching, or inflammation can impair
sight.

24. 1. Flying Objects
A piece of metal can pierce the cornea and eyeball
and possibly cause the loss of an eye.
2. Dust
Dust, sawdust, etc. can cause irritation resulting in
a corneal ulcer which is a breakdown of corneal
tissue causing a red, watery, or pussy eye

25. 3. Heat
Heat can burn and severely damage the cornea.
4. Acid Splash
Acid splash and chemicals can burn the cornea,
conjunctiva (white coat on the eye), and eyelid and
possibly cause loss of sight.

26. 5. Abrasive
Sand can cause a corneal abrasion which can
result in loss of sight
6. Glare
Glare can make it difficult to see and can cause
extreme fatigue to the eye.

27. 7. Radiation
Ultraviolet light from a welding arc can damage the
cornea

28. SKIN
• Physical hazards—sharp or jagged edges
on materials and tools; heat; vibration
• Corrosive or toxic chemicals
• Ultraviolet radiation.

29. • For physical hazards such as sharp
edges, splinters, and heat, leather gloves
are the preferred protection.
• Vibration transferred from tools and
equipment can affect hands and arms.
One result may be hand/arm vibration
syndrome (HAVS). anti-vibration gloves.

30. Questions