4.6: Personal Protective Equipment
What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
PPE is the last line of defense in the hierarchy of controls. As previously discussed there are some hazards, physical and chemical, that workers are exposed to despite efforts to either eliminate, substitute, engineer, or work practice control the danger away. The correct application, design, and issuance of the PPE are the employer’s responsibility. The correct wear, care, and use of the required PPE is the employee responsibility.
PPE is a generic term. There are types of PPE designed to protect parts of the human body exposed to hazards and hazardous environments. The typical areas needing protection and the type of PPE are shown below:
Table of Typical PPE
|
Body Part |
Protection |
Image |
|---|---|---|
|
Head |
Hard Hat, Helmet |
|
|
Hands |
Gloves |
|
|
Feet |
Steel Toe Boots |
|
|
Eyes-Sight |
Goggles, Glasses |
|
|
Ears-Hearing |
Ear Plugs, Earmuffs |
|
|
Nose, Mouth |
Respirator, face mask |
|
|
Face |
Face Shield |
|
|
Body |
Coveralls, High Visibility Vest |
|
PPE shall only be specified for use after a job hazard analysis(JHA) or job safety analysis(JSA) has been completed. The PPE shown above are “typical” and not specific for any task. The JHA and site assessment will determine what PPE is necessary, when it is necessary, and why it is necessary.