Personal Protective Equipment, 2

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

by Rich Seeley

Hard hats, goggles, face shields, earplugs, steel-toed shoes, respirators. What do all these items have in common? They are all various forms of personal protective equipment. Yet data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show:

• Hard hats were worn by only 16% of those workers who sustained head injuries, although two-fifths were required to wear them for certain tasks at specific locations;
• Only 1% of approximately 770 workers suffering face injuries were wearing face protection;
• Only 23% of the workers with foot injuries wore safety shoes or boots; and
• Only 40% of the workers with eye injuries wore eye protective equipment.

A majority of these workers were injured while performing their normal jobs at regular worksites. OSHA standards require employers to furnish and employees to use suitable protective equipment where there is a 'reasonable probability' that injury can be prevented by such equipment.

The standards also set provisions for specific equipment. While use of personal protective equipment is important, it is only a supplementary form of protection, necessary when all hazards have not been controlled through other means such as engineering controls. Engineering controls are especially important in hearing and respiratory protection, which have specific standards calling for employers to take all feasible preventive steps.

Cuts or bruises to the scalp and forehead occurred in 85% of head injury cases, concussions in 26%. Over one-third of the cases resulted from falling objects striking the head. To be effective, hats protecting the head against impact blows must be able to withstand penetration and absorb the shock of a blow. In some cases, hats should also protect against electric shock. Recognized standards for hats have been established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Of injured workers, 66% were wearing safety shoes, protective footwear, or heavy-duty shoes or boots; 33% wore regular street shoes. Of those wearing safety shoes, 85% were injured because the object hit an unprotected part of the shoe or boot.

For protection against 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. Safety shoes should be sturdy and have an impact-resistant toe. Shoes must meet ANSI standards.

The injured workers surveyed indicated that eye and face protection was not normally used or practiced in their work areas, or that it was not required for the type of work performed at the time of the accident.

Almost one-third of face injuries were caused by metal objects, most often blunt and weighing at least one pound. Accidents resulted in cuts, lacerations, or punctures in 48% of the total, and fractures (including broken or lost teeth) in 27%. Protection should be based on the kind and degree of hazard and should:

Exposure to loud noise can cause irreversible hearing loss or impairment. It can also create physical and psychological stress. Preformed or molded ear plugs should be individually fitted by a professional. Waxed cotton, foam, or Fiberglas wool earplugs are self-forming. Disposable earplugs should be used once and thrown away; non-disposable ones should be cleaned after each use.

OSHA has promulgated a final rule on requirements for a hearing conservation program. Information on the program is available from the closest OSHA office.

Burns, cuts, electrical shock, amputation, and absorption of chemicals are also examples of hazards associated with arm and hand injuries. A wide assortment of gloves, hand pads, sleeves, and wristlets is available for protection from these hazards. The devices should be selected to fit the specific task. Rubber is considered the best material for insulating gloves and sleeves.

Rubber materials must conform to ANSI standards (copies available from ANSI, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018).

There's no part of your anatomy that you want to protect more than the torso, because without a torso, what's left isn't worth much. Many hazards can threaten the torso: heat, splashes from hot metals and liquids, impacts, cuts, acids, and radiation. A variety of protective clothing is available: vests, jackets, aprons, coveralls, and full body suits. Fire-retardant wool and specially treated cotton clothing items are comfortable, and they adapt well to a variety of workplace temperatures. Other types of protection include leather, rubberized fabrics, and disposable suits.

Information is available from OSHA on the requirements for respirators to control occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, and vapors (Respirator Protection -- 29CFR 1910.134). Respirators should be selected according to the guidelines of ANSI Practices for Respiratory Protection.

REMEMBER: Using personal protective equipment requires hazard awareness and training on the part of the user. Employees must be aware that the equipment alone does not eliminate the hazard. If the equipment fails, exposure will occur.

Where required by safety rules or common sense, always use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Make sure PPE is clean, fits well, and is free from damage.

Common PPE includes:

• Hard hats
• Gloves or palm guards
• Eye and face protection
• Foot protection
• Aprons or protective clothing
• Respiratory protection
• Hearing protection
• Safety belts

More complex Personal Protective equipment includes respirators, gas masks and fully enclosing hazardous chemical spill suits with Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. Do not use these advanced Personal Protective Equipment without being fully trained in their use.