Module Overview Personal Protective Equipment Objectives: Given construction worksite illnesses, injuries and fatalities, objective of course provide training and information to student to determine, select and use proper PPE and Life Saving Equipment in construction. Specifically, the student will be able to: Describe types of hazards that require PPE and Lifesaving Equipment Identify and select appropriate PPE and Lifesaving Equipment Protect themselves against safety and health hazards Recognize employer requirements to protect workers from exposure to hazards
Module Overview Personal Protective Equipment Types and PPE Elements: Various types of common personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE use, maintenance, inspection, and storage. Head protection, eye and face protection, hand and arm protection, leg and foot protection, whole body protection ear protection, respiratory protection. TIP: Protective equipment must be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.
Introduction Personal Protective Equipment PPE! Referred to as PPE. Includes all clothing and other work accessories designed to create a barrier against workplace hazards. TIP: This course references the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and others.
Introduction Personal Protective Equipment The 3rd line of defense. Should not be used as a substitute for engineering, work practice and/or administrative controls. Should be used in conjunction with these controls to provide for employee safety and health in the workplace. TIP: Engineering controls include hazard substitution, and the use of hazard enclosures, isolation barriers, ventilation, and similar controls. Work practice controls: improved work procedures and housekeeping to minimize need for PPE. Administrative controls: worker training, altering work schedule or rotating workers to minimize exposure.
General PPE Program Issues Hazard Assessment OSHA requires hazard assessment. OSHA requires that employers perform and document workplace hazard assessment. Identify the hazards and necessary controls to include PPE that may be necessary to protect employees from hazards.
General PPE Program Issues Training Training is mandatory! Before work requiring use of PPE When PPE is necessary. What type is necessary. How PPE is to be worn. Limitations, proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal. TIP: PPE must not be altered or removed. PPE is manufactured with specific parts and accessories and the PPE manufacturers obtained approval only after testing and meeting specific criteria. If parts and accessories are removed or altered the equipment approvals no longer exist and the equipment may actually become hazardous to use. Follow carefully the manufacturers instructions for use. Sometimes PPE may be uncomfortable simply because it does not fit properly.
General PPE Program Issues Common PPE Common PPE includes: Head protection. Eye / face protection. Emergency eye / body wash. Arm and hand protection. Foot and leg protection. TIP: Defective or damaged personal protective equipment must not be used. To prevent others from using damaged PPE it should either be tagged as defective and repaired immediately or disposed of.
General PPE Program Issues Specialized PPE Types: Hearing protection. Respiratory protection. Body protection. Levels of Protection. Fall protection. High visibility clothing. Personal Flotation Devices.
Head Protection BLS Survey and Head Protection Proof is in the statistics: Most workers who suffered impact head injuries were not wearing head protection. Head injuries are caused by falling or flying objects, or by bumping the head against a fixed object. Head protection, in the form of protective hats, must do two things -- resist penetration and absorb the shock of the blow.
Head Protection Head Protection Resistant and absorbing. Accomplished by making the shell material hard enough to resist the blow, Utilizing a shock-absorbing lining composed of headband and crown straps to keep the shell away from the wearer's skull. Protective hats used to protect against electric shock. Safety Tip Hard hats have a service life (most manufacturers state 5 years) but could be less in high UV or wet conditions
Head Protection Classes of Protective Hats OSHA requires: Employees exposed to flying or falling objects and/or electric shock and burns shall be safeguarded by means of approved head protection. Compliance with ANSI Z-89.2-1971. Class A: Impact hazards. Class B: Impact and voltage protection. Class C: Safety hat or cap (i.e. bump cap). TIP: The standards recognized by the OSHA construction standards for protective hats are contained in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ANSI Personnel Protection -- Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers-Requirements, Z89.1
Head Protection Classes of Protective Hats OSHA hardhat specification. Class A: Impact hazards. Class B: Impact and voltage protection. Class C: Safety hat or cap (i.e. bump cap).
Head Protection Classes of Protective Hats ANSI s new head protection standard. Updated in ANSI Z89.1-1997. OSHA has yet to adopt new ANSI standard. Type 1: designed to protect from objects that fall from above. Type II: lateral impact protection plus hazards that fall from above. Safety Tip Some hard hat stickers may have adhesives that could reduce the service life of the hat.
Head Protection Classes of Protective Hats New ANSI classes: Class E (Electrical, formerly Class B) helmets intended to reduce danger of exposure to high voltage electrical conductors. Class G (General, formerly Class A) helmets intended to reduce the danger of exposure to low voltage electrical conductors. Class C (Conductive) helmets not intended to provide protection from electrical conductors. PPE_A_R2_30fs TIP: Identify the type of helmet by looking inside the shell for the manufacturer, ANSI d
Head Protection Cleaning Soap and water is one approach. A common method of cleaning shells is dipping them in hot water (approximately 140º F) containing a good detergent for at least a minute. Shells should then be scrubbed, rinsed in clear warm water, carefully inspected for any signs of damage.
Head Protection Inspection Check all components daily. All components, the shell, suspension, headband, sweatband, and any accessories visually inspected daily. Look for signs of dents, cracks, penetration, or any other damage. If damage observed or suspected, replace. TIP: Helmets should be stored in a clean and dry location away from heat, flame, sunli
Eye / Face Protection Eye Injuries What contributes? Deficient eye protection: Not wearing eye protection, 60% were not wearing eye protection at time of accident. Wearing the wrong kind of eye protection, 40% were wearing some form of eye protection when the accident occurred but inadequate for the job. TIP: Every day an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces
Eye / Face Protection Eye Injuries What causes eye injuries? Flying particles - 70%. Contact with chemicals - 20%. Injurious Light Rays such as from welding arcs, lasers and other sources. Safety Tip: Protection from Eye and Face Injuries Besides spectacles and goggles, personal protective equipment such as special helmets or shields, spectacles with side shields, and faceshields can protect workers from the hazards of flying fragments, large chips, hot sparks, optical radiation, splashes from molten metals, as well as objects, particles, sand, dirt, mists, dusts, and glare.
Eye / Face Protection Eye and Face Safety Devices Four classes are: Glasses Goggles Face Protection Welding Shields
Eye / Face Protection Eye and Face Safety Devices Safety glasses / spectacles. Made with safety frames, tempered glass or plastic lenses, temples and side shields which provide eye protection from moderate impact and particles encountered in job tasks such as carpentry, woodworking, grinding, and similar tasks. Also available in prescription form for those persons who need corrective lenses.
Eye / Face Protection Eye and Face Safety Devices Goggles Vinyl framed goggles of soft pliable body design. Clear or tinted lenses, perforated, port vented, or non-vented frames. Worn in combination with spectacles or corrective lenses.
Eye / Face Protection Eye and Face Safety Devices Face shields Adjustable headgear and face shield of tinted / transparent acetate or polycarbonate materials, or wire screen. Various sizes, tensile strength, impact/heat resistance and light ray filtering capacity. Operations when entire face needs protection against flying particles, metal sparks, and chemical/biological splashes.
Eye / Face Protection Welding/Hot Work Welders/ hot work goggles: Provide protection from sparking, scaling, or splashing metals and harmful light rays. Lenses are impact resistant and available in graduated shades of filtration. Safety Tip: INTENSE VISIBLE LIGHT Exposure of the human eye to intense visible light can produce adaptation, pupillary reflex, and shading of the eyes. In the arc welding process, eye exposure to intense visible light is prevented for the most part by the welder's helmet. However, some individuals have sustained retinal damage due to careless "viewing" of the arc. At no time should the arc be observed without eye protection.
Eye / Face Protection Welding/Hot Work Welding/hot work shield: Protect eyes and face from infrared or radiant light burns, flying sparks, metal spatter and slag chips encountered during welding, brazing, soldering, resistance welding, bare or shielded electric arc welding and oxyacetylene welding and cutting operations. Filter lenses have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection. Shade numbers range from 1 through 14. (e.g. typical gas welding require a filter shade of: 8 TIP: Welding shield assemblies consist of vulcanized fiber or glass fiber body, a ratchet/button type adjustable headgear or cap attachment and a filter and cover plate holder.
Eye / Face Protection Combination Head, eye and face protection: Many hard hats and non-rigid helmets are designed with face and eye protective equipment. TIP: Eye and face Protectors must provide adequate protection against the hazards for which they are designed; be reasonably comfortable; fit snugly without interfering with the movements or vision of the wearer; be durable; be capable of being disinfected; be easily cleanable; and be kept clean and in good repair.
Eye / Face Protection ANSI Must meet ANSI specifications. Design, construction, tests, and use of eye and face protection must be in accordance with ANSI Z87.1 American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection. Marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer.
Eye / Face Protection Inspection and Maintenance Inspect and clean. Eye protectors kept clean. Daily inspection. Cleaning of the eye protector with soap and hot water, or with a cleaning solution and tissue, is recommended. TIP: Prescription safety spectacles should be fitted only by qualified optical personnel.
Eye / Face Protection Inspection and Maintenance Protect against damage: Spectacles and Goggles should be kept in a case or otherwise protected when not in use. Replace eye protection when lenses are found to be pitted, and deeply scratched and when slack, worn-out, sweat-soaked, or twisted headbands of goggles are found. Replace with the make and model for which you were initially fitted. TIP: If your safety glasses that were damaged were prescription you should contact your eye care specialist to check to see if your prescription has changed.
Eye / Face Protection Inspection and Maintenance Clean and disinfect: Before issued to another employee. Cleaned and disinfected regularly. Follow the manufacturers instructions. Generally soap and warm water or in a solution of germicidal deodorant fungicide, allowed to air dry in a clean area then placed in a clean, dust-proof container.
Emergency Eye / Body Wash Requirements Eye wash / safety showers. OSHA requires that 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.
Emergency Eye / Body Wash Requirements Locate near the hazard: Eye wash and shower station is an essential tool to accomplish the recommended decontamination. ANSI Z358.1 requires locating emergency eye wash and shower stations in an area reachable within 10 sec following an exposure event. Emergency equipment must be installed on the same level as the posing hazard with the travel path free from obstructions
Emergency Eye / Body Wash Supply Water and Controls Quantity, temperature controls: Quantity of water should be enough to flush exposed surfaces of the body for a period of at least 15 min, Water temperature tepid, 78 to 92oF (26 to 33oC) range. On/off control valve that stays open once actuated until intentionally (i.e., manually) turned off. Freeze protection if necessary. Safety Tip Biocides should be used for portable eyewashes with change out frequency according to supplier.
Emergency Eye / Body Wash Testing and Training To function in an emergency: Test stations monthly to ensure Annual evaluation to ensure compliance with the flow and water distribution Employees at risk need training in proper use of eye wash and shower stations.
Arm and Hand Protection Arm and Hand Injuries Examples: Injuries to arms and hands are burns, cuts, electrical shock, amputation, and absorption of chemicals. Wide assortment of gloves, hand pads, sleeves, and wristlets for protection against various hazardous situations.
Arm and Hand Protection Assessment Evaluate the worksite for PPE needs: Determine what hand protection needed. Study work activities, dexterity required, duration, frequency, exposure, stresses. TIP: Know the performance characteristics of gloves relative to the specific hazard anticipated; e.g., exposure to chemicals, heat, or flames. Talk to the manufacturer, vendor, supplier, or company safety and health coordinator.
Arm and Hand Protection Assessment Know the hazards and PPE product: Know the performance characteristics of gloves relative to the specific hazard anticipated. Talk to the manufacturer, vendor, supplier, company safety and health coordinator.
Arm and Hand Protection Selected to Fit Job Uses and limitations. Some gloves designed to protect against specific chemical hazards. Wire mesh, leather, and canvas provide can provide protection from burns and cuts. Become familiar with the limitations of the clothing used.
Arm and Hand Protection Special Arm and Hand Protection Working around electricity: Electricians need special protection from shocks and burns. Rubber considered best material for insulating gloves and sleeves. Rubber protective equipment for electrical work must conform to ANSI. Safety Tip: Click on the link shown to review OSHA's November 14, 2006 interpretation surrounding OSHA requirements for warning signs and protection from electric-arc-flash hazards and compliance with NFPA 70E-2004. LINK: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document? p_table=interpretations&p_id=25557
Arm and Hand Protection Special Arm and Hand Protection Welders and Hot Work: Face shields, leather gloves and gauntlets, leather aprons, and fire- resistant clothing which are designed to prevent burns by protecting from welding slag, sparks, UV radiation, and radiant heat. Clothing must exhibit fire resistance consistent with OSHA standards and applicable portions of ANSI Z49.1.
Foot and Leg Protection BLS Statistics Statistics show: Most workers who suffered foot injuries were not wearing protective footwear. Most employers did not require them to wear safety shoes. Typical foot injury caused by objects falling fewer than 4 feet and the median weight was about 65 pounds. Safety Tip Leather work boots should not be used when handling chemicals as they may absorb the chemical passively.
Foot and Leg Protection Protection of Feet and Legs From falling or rolling objects, sharp objects, molten metal, hot surfaces, and wet slippery surfaces, workers should use appropriate foot guards, safety shoes, or boots and leggings. Leggings protect lower leg and feet from molten metal or welding sparks. Safety snaps permit their rapid removal.
Foot and Leg Protection Overshoe Guards Protect Top of Foot. Aluminum alloy, fiberglass, or galvanized steel foot guards can be worn over usual work shoes. May present possibility of catching on something and causing workers to trip. Overshoe guards meet ANSI Z-41 standards.
Foot and Leg Protection Safety Footwear Protec.on op.ons, style. Sturdy and have an impact- resistant toe. Metal insoles protect against puncture wounds. Come in a variety of styles and materials, such as leather, rubber boots, oxfords, sports. Safety Tip: In addition to foot guards and safety shoes, leggings (e.g., leather, aluminized rayon, or other appropriate material) can help prevent injuries by protecting workers from hazards such as falling or rolling objects, sharp objects, wet and slippery surfaces, molten metals, hot surfaces, and electrical hazards.
Foot and Leg Protection Safety Footwear Safety footwear and ANSI. Classified according to its ability to meet minimum requirements for both compression and impact tests. 29 CFR 1926.96 and 1910.136 reference the ANSI standard. 29 CFR 1926.96 and 1910.136 reference the ANSI standard. However, in 2005, ANSI Z41 was withdrawn and replaced by two new American Society of Testing Material (ASTM) International Standards. The new ASTM standards are F2412-05 Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection and F2413-05 Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Foot Protection."
Foot and Leg Protection Foot/Leg Protection Chemicals and solvents: Wear impermeable footwear with synthetic stitching, and made of rubber, vinyl or plastic. Know the specific chemical, feet and legs may be exposed. Follow manufacturer's chemical resistant guides to identify type of rubber, vinyl, plastic, other synthetic protection for greatest chemical resistance.
Foot and Leg Protection Foot and Leg Protection Electric current: Workers exposed to live electrical conductors must wear safety footwear. Soles of electrical resistance footwear have specific electrical insulating properties. Insulating properties of footwear will deteriorate in wet environments and with wear. Rubber or cork soles, and heels, no metal parts and insulated steel toes.
Foot and Leg Protection Foot/Leg Protection Extreme cold, heat, direct flame: For extreme cold wear shoes or boots with moisture- or oil-resistant insulation, and that can repel water and insulated socks. For extreme heat and direct flame wear overshoes or boots of fire-resistant materials with wooden soles.
Foot and Leg Protection Foot and Leg Protection Other hazards: For sanitation wear special plastic booties or overshoes; paper or wood shower sandals. For slips and skids wear non-slip rubber or neoprene soles; non-skid slip over shoes; strap-on cleats for icy surfaces. Sparking hazard (from metal shoe parts): safety shoes with no metal parts and non sparking material.
Foot and Leg Protection Foot and Leg Protection Other: Sparks, molten metal splashes: foundry boots with elastic sides or (that get inside shoes) quick-release buckles for speedy removal. Static electricity: shoes or boots with heels and soles of cork or leather. Wet locations: lined rubber shoes or boots; rubbers or shoes of silicone-treated leather.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Protective Body Clothing Includes: Fully and non-encapsulating suits. Aprons, leggings, sleeve protectors. Heat, firefighters protective suits. Blast and fragmentation suits. Cooling protective garments. Radiation protective suits. Coveralls made of impervious materials to prevent contact with hazardous chemicals and substances.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Protective Body Clothing Wide range of materials To protect against physical, chemical, biological hazards. Rubber, plastic films, leather, synthetic fibers, cotton and more are used for protective garments. Designed to provide protection or a shield against acids, alkalis, temperature extremes, moisture, oils and more.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Levels of Protection Chemical hazard body protection. Established by OSHA / EPA. Standardized for hazardous waste operations. Includes Level A, Level B, Level C, and Level D. Tip and Link: Check out OSHA s General description and discussion of the levels of protection and protective gear. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document? p_table=standards&p_id=9767
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Hearing Protection Background To minimize frequency and intensity of noise. Should wear hearing protector if noise or sound level at workplace exceeds 85 decibels (A-weighted) or db(a). When worn properly, hearing protectors can reduce the risk for damaging your hearing. Tip: Did you know? Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable but once acquired, hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. Therefore, prevention measures must be taken by employers and workers to ensure the protection of workers' hearing.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Ear Protectors Four basic types: Molded earplugs. Custom-molded earplugs. Self-molded earplugs. Ear muffs. For high noise levels, a combination of ear plugs and ear muffs generally provide the highest level of protection. Safety Tip Did You know? Ear protective devices inserted in the ear shall be fitted or determined individually by competent persons.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Respiratory Protection Two main classes. Air purifying devices: do not have a separate air source. Purify inhaled through filtering. Atmosphere supplying respirators: supply air from an air supply carried by user or located some distance away with connection by an air-line hose. TIP: The discussion of respiratory protection can be very broad and to meet OSHA s training requirements you will need additional training if you are required to wear for your job.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Air Purifying Devices Function Cleanse contaminated atmosphere as ambient air passes through air purifying element. Much lighter than SCBA. Enhance wearer mobility. Cannot be used in IDLH or oxygen deficient atmospheres. Have limited duration of protection. Protects against specific chemicals / specific concentrations.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Air Purifying Devices Have Use Limits Environments with sufficient oxygen to support life and air contaminant level within use concentrations. Generally limited to air contaminants not highly toxic or airborne contaminant levels low. Must not be used if air contaminants or their relative concentrations are unknown.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Air Purifying Devices Selectivity and Function. Selectively remove specific airborne contaminants from ambient air by filtration, absorption, adsorption, or chemical reactions. Two principal types of APRs. Aerosol / particulate removing respirators for dusts, fumes, and mists. Gas / vapor removing respirators. Safety Tip Gas/vapor APRs should have documentation for service life of the cartridges or EOL indicators for cartridges.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Powered Air Purifying Respirator PAPR Equipped with a filter, chemical cartridge or canister. Uses a power source to operate a blower that passes air across the air cleansing element to supply cleansed air to the user.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Atmosphere Supplying Respirators Hose line or self contained. Respirators supply breathing atmosphere to the user from an uncontaminated source of air. Breathing air must meet strict air quality standards (Grade D). Used in atmospheres that lack sufficient oxygen and environments contaminated with air contaminants relatively toxic and / or highly concentrated. The use of all respirators requires proper selection, use, inspection and maintenance, training, fit and other factors. Tip and Link: Check out NIOSH s Respirator Selection Decision Logic 2004 webpage at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-100/default.html
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Fall Protection Fall Protection is: Intended to prevent death and serious injury to fall hazards. Deaths from falls is ranked second behind motor vehicle accidents with respect to workplace fatalities. Designed to prevent worker from falling off of edges, through floors, room openings, off of equipment, and more. Tip: In 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that fatal work injuries involving falls increased 5 percent in 2006 after a sharp decrease in 2005. The 809 fatal falls in 2006 was the third highest total since 1992, when the fatality census began.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Fall Protection When necessary and types. Required when worker faces serious risk, at OSHA specified heights. Two basic types of personal fall protection systems: fall arrest and travel or fall restraint. ClickSafety s Click Level 2 Fall Protection. TIP: Fall protection systems are discussed in more detail in ClickSafety s Click Level 2 fall protection course.
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Fall Arrest Systems Prevents a serious fall! Stop a fall within a few feet of the worker s original position. Typically requires a full body harness, a lanyard, a rope grab, a lifeline, and a lifeline anchor, all rated at 5000 lbs. breaking strength for most applications. Maximum free-fall 6 feet (4 feet California). Link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owaquery.query_docs? src_doc_type=interpretations&src_anchor_name=1910.134&src_ex_doc_type=standards&src_ unique_file=1910_0134
Specialty PPE & Life Saving Equipment Travel or Fall Restraint System Purpose of travel or fall restraint: Restrains a worker from getting too close to an unprotected edge. Typically requires a full body harness, a lanyard, a rope grab, a lifeline, and a lifeline anchor all rated at 5000 lbs. Breaking strength for most applications. TIP: It is very important to understand that whenever feasible, OSHA requires that instead of having workers rely on fall protection equipment and tying off, temporary floors, guardrails, toe boards, or other physical barriers to falls be installed instead. These barriers, such as guardrails, need to meet minimum specifications (such as 42 inch height) spelled out in the standards.
Employer Responsibilities PPE Standards OSHA s primary personal protective equipment standards are in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910 Subpart I, and equivalent regulations in states with OSHA approved state plans, but you can find protective equipment requirements elsewhere in the General Industry Standards (e.g. 29 CFR 1926.95-106 covers the construction industry). OSHA s general PPE requirements mandate employers conduct a hazard assessment of their workplaces to determine what hazards are present that require the use of protective equipment, provide workers with appropriate protective equipment, and require them to use and maintain it in sanitary and reliable condition. TIP: Using personal protective equipment is often essential, but it is generally the last line of defense after engineering controls, work practices, and administrative controls. Engineering controls involve physically changing a machine or work environment. Administrative controls involve changing how or when workers do their jobs, such as scheduling work and rotating workers to reduce exposures. Work practices involve training workers how to perform tasks in ways that reduce their exposure to workplace hazards.
Employer Responsibilities PPE Assessment Employers must assess the workplace to Determine if hazards are present that require the use of personal protective equipment. If such hazards are present, an employer must select protective equipment and require workers to use it, communicate the protective equipment selection decisions to workers, and select personal protective equipment that properly fits the workers. Safety Tip The PPE Hazard Assessment needs to be documented and certified.
Employer Responsibilities Addi.onally Employers must train workers who are required to wear PPE on how to do the following: Use protec.ve equipment properly; Be aware of when personal protec.ve equipment is necessary; Know what kind of protec.ve equipment is necessary; Understand the limita.ons of personal protec.ve equipment in protec.ng workers from injury; Put on, adjust, wear, and take off personal protec.ve equipment; and Maintain protec.ve equipment properly. TIP: For additional information concerning protective equipment view the publication, Assessing the Need for Personal Protective Equipment: A Guide for Small Business Employers (OSHA 3151). LINK: http://www.osha.gov/publications/osha3151.pdf
Summary Summary PPE is only a tool in fight against workplace hazards. PPE is not first line of defense. Engineering controls: ventilation, isolation, enclosures are the preferred method. Before acquiring PPE, important to do a hazard assessment followed by implementation of an effective program of PPE selection, use, maintenance, inspection, care, storage, and employee training. Link: http://www.osha.gov/sltc/personalprotectiveequipment/