Purpose: Responsibility: Supervision: Provide guidelines for using and maintaining PPE Users HSE Supervisor GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS NOTE: IT IS NOT INTENDED FOR WORKERS TO RELY SOLELY ON PPE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST HAZARDS Eye and Face Protection Respiratory Protection Head Protection Foot Protection Hand Protection Hearing Conservation PPE COMPONENTS. 1. HARD HAT. Hard hats (ANSIZ89.1) must comply with the following requirements. Resist penetration Absorb the shock of impact Lessen head injury Hard hats fall into two types and three classes. Types include: Type 1 - full brim Type 2 - no brim, peak extending forward Classes include: - Class G (General) Formerly Class A general service low voltage protection - Class E (Electrical) Formally B - utility service High voltage protection Class C (Conductive) No voltage protection No predetermined life for hard hats Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 1 of 8
Check hats daily for dents, cracks or penetration. Inspect the: Shell Suspension Headband Sweatband Should be 1 ¼ between shell and skull of worker Clean the hat once a month in warm, soapy water Do not paint hardhats 2. FOOT PROTECTION ANSI Z41 Performance measures on impact & compression protection of toes Metatarsal protection for the toes and top of foot Electrical hazard and conductive protection Punctures and penetrations Protects the foot against: Skin diseases Cuts Punctures Burns Sprains Fractures Compression Electricity Slipping Chemicals Molten metal Extreme heat or cold Wetness Boot Markings PT - Protective Toe section of the standard F - Gender of shoe I - Impact resistance 75, 50 or 30 foot-lbs C - Compression resistance 75, 50 or 30 (2500lbs, 1750lbs or 1000 lbs) MT - Metatarsal designation 75, 50 or 30 foot-lbs Cd - Conductive properties EH - Electrical hazard PR - Puncture resistance Care & Maintenance Perform periodic inspection for cracks and splits Follow cleaning and maintenance procedures Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 2 of 8
3. EYE & FACE PROTECTION Equipment and machinery is a major source of eye injuries. To protect yourself use: Guards Screens Shields Impact Resistant 1 steel ball (2.4 oz) dropped 50 onto center of 5/8 lens Safety glasses Tinted lenses Safety frames Side shields Goggles Fit closer to the eyes Some models fit over prescription glasses Face Shields Provide full-face protection Always wear eye protection under a face shield Care & Maintenance Perform regular inspection and maintenance Keep lenses clean Replace pitted, scratched, broken lenses 4. HEARING CONSERVATION General Information: Hearing loss caused by noise occurs in the inner ear. Excessive noise levels can damage hair cells or auditory nerves. Excessive noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss Each increase of 5 decibels doubles the loudness in your ear. A noise level above 125 db can be painful. But more importantly, noise levels between 85 and 125 db can cause painless hearing loss. Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 3 of 8
Examples: - 0 db The quietest sound you can hear - 20db Whisper, quiet library - 65db Normal conversations, typewriters - 90db Lawnmower, shop tools, traffic - 110db Chainsaw, air tools, snowmobiles - 115db Sandblasting, concert, car horn - 125db Gunshot, jet engine Wear hearing protection. Ear plugs have a noise reduction rating (NRR) marked on them. 24 to 31db ratings are the normal range. This means the plugs will reduce that number of decibels if properly worn. Double protection is required in sustained db ratings of 110 or above. Double protection only adds the 5 db to the highest rated protector Noise exposure Exposure (NRR-7) 7 is a protection factor. General Information: 5. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION Air-purifying respirators Filters (for particulates) Cartridges (for gases or vapors) - may have filters, too Canisters (used with gas masks -- large capacity) Oxygen must be > 19.5% Atmosphere supplying respirators SCBA s Supplied air respirators (SAR) Combinations of SCBA s and SAR Filters can remove dust, mist, fumes. They cannot protect against gases, vapors, low O2. Removal mechanisms: Interception Sedimentation Impaction Diffusion Electrostatic attraction Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 4 of 8
Respirator Types. Negative pressure draws air into face piece via negative pressure created by user inhalation Positive Pressure pressure in face piece during inhalation and exhalation. Air Purifying Cleaning, Maintenance & Storage. Correct storage helps prevent respirators from: Damage Contamination Dust Sunlight Temperature extremes Excessive moisture Chemicals Deformation of the face piece Filter Types. levels of filter efficiency: 95% (called 95 ) 99% (called 99 ) 99.97% (called 100 ) 3 categories of resistance to filter efficiency degradation: N (Not resistant to oil) R (Resistant to oil) P (oil Proof) Selection of Filters: If no oil particles are present in the work environment, use a filter of any series. If oil particles are present, use an R- or P-series filter. If oil particles are present and the filter is to be used for more than one work shift, use only a P-series filter. Choice of face piece depends on level of protection needed (APF). Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 5 of 8
Colors of AP Elements: Acid gas White Organic vapors black Ammonia gas green Carbon monoxide blue Acid gases and organic vapors yellow Acid gas, ammonia, and OV brown Acid gas, ammonia, CO, and OV red Other vapors and gases olive Radioactive materials (HEPA) purple * Dusts, fumes, mists (non-radio) orange * Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators Air-line respirators Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) Combination SCBA and SAR Must be supplied with Grade D breathing air from bottles or compressors. Airline Respirators hose can be up to 300 feet 4 cfm required for tight-fitting mask, 6 cfm for hoods and helmets available in demand, pressure demand, and continuous flow arrangements Criteria for Grade D Compressed Air Oxygen 19.5% to 23.5% oxygen Vol Hydrocarbons < 5mg/M3 (oil mist) Carbon dioxide < 1000 ppm Carbon monoxide < 10 ppm Odor no pronounced odor Inspection, Donning, Doffing Respirators A visual inspection shall be carried out at least every six months, after the SCBA has been used or for any reason where the condition of the SCBA may be suspect. Special attention is given to the cleanliness and sealing Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 6 of 8
condition of the face mask. Refer to the manufacturer s specifications for inspection and maintenance. Replacement of pressure reducer, sintered bronze filter and O rings every year. Hydrostatic test every 3 years. Replacement of pressure reducer every 6 years. Inspections and maintenance shall be recorded in the safety equipment register. Tags must show inspection results Perform seal checks after donning respirator Positive pressure test Negative pressure test Never enter a work area without a good respirator seal A dirty, inoperative respirator will not protect you Inspect respirators before each use and during cleaning Inspect SCBAs monthly and keep cylinders fully charged General information 6. HAND PROTECTION 7. Mechanical injuries Extreme heat or cold Electric shock or burns Skin irritation from chemicals or germs Glove selection Chemical toxicity Permeation parameters for chemical/glove Nature of exposure Physical factors associated with job Cut resistance and tearing Manual dexterity and flexibility Temperature extremes Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 7 of 8
Mitts Finger cotts Thimbles Hand pads Sleeves or forearm cuffs Gloves Chemical resistant Leather Metal mesh Plastic film Aramid Physical conditions Breakthrough Dexterity Length Size Barrier creams Vanishing Water-repellent Solvent-repellent Sunscreen Types of Hand Protection Safe Glove Use Proper donning, doffing, adjustment, use Inspect gloves for defects Apply powder to hands Be cautious when wearing gloves near machinery Wash or rinse reusable gloves Pull glove off by cuff, not by the fingers Turn glove inside out when removing Store reusable gloves away from heat sources Contaminated gloves may need special disposal Barrier creams: Clean and dry hands before applying. Reapply frequently. Wash off cream before eating Rev (0) 05/2009 Page 8 of 8