Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes respirators, hardhats, gloves, safety shoes, and protection for the eyes, hearing, face and torso. PPE is the least effective way to protect workers because it does not eliminate or control the hazards. If the equipment fails, the worker is immediately exposed to the hazard.

PPE is needed if there is no other solution, until a better control is installed, or as a supplement to other protective measures. The proper use of PPE requires:

• selecting equipment that will protect workers against a particular hazard(s); 
  
  
• training workers on the right way to use the equipment; and 
  
  
• maintaining the equipment so that it functions properly.
  
  

Respirators — (29 CFR 1910.134)

Ventilation is the best way to control exposure to harmful substances in the air. Where ventilation is not adequate, respirators are used to avoid breathing and swallowing poisons in the air.

Types of respirators

There are two main types of respirators, atmosphere supplying and air-purifying. Atmosphere supplying respirators provide workers with air from a safe source. A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) allows the user to carry a supply of air. See Figure 4. Supplied-air respirators provide the user with clean air through an air line. See Figure 5.

Figure 4

Figure 5

Air-purifying respirators filter harmful dusts, gases, vapors and mists from the air. As the worker breathes, the air is drawn through filters that capture contaminants. A variety of cartridges and canisters that filter the air can be used with an air-purifying respirator. The choice of which type of cartridge or canister to use depends on the harmful agent(s) in the air.

WARNING!!! Air-purifying respirators can only be used if there is enough oxygen in the air for you to breathe!

Respirator styles Respirators come in a variety of styles. As shown in Figure 6, respirators are designed to cover the nose and mouth or the whole face. All of these respirators must fit tightly against the user’s face in order to be effective. There are also helmets and hoods that are designed to filter the air. Some helmet or hood style respirators do not depend on a tight fit to protect the worker.

Figure 6

You must receive a test to make sure the facepiece fits your face before working with a respirator.

Figure 7   Figure 8

Negative vs. positive pressure respirators A negative pressure respirator means that the air pressure inside the worker’s facepiece is less than the air pressure outside the mask. If the seal between the worker’s face and mask is not tight, harmful substances in the air will leak into the mask without first passing through the filters. Most air-purifying respirators work under negative pressure. With a positive pressure respirator, the air pressure inside the facepiece is greater than the air pressure outside the mask. If the seal between the face and mask is not tight, air leaks away from the worker’s face. Therefore, positive pressure respirators usually provide more protection than negative pressure respirators. Figure 7 shows the difference between negative and positive pressure respirators.

 
A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is an example of a positive pressure respirator. The PAPR has a pump that pulls in air. The air is filtered before it is pumped into the helmet or facepiece. See Figure 8.

Respirator program

If workers need to use respirators, OSHA requires that employers have a respiratory protection program that includes:

• procedures for selecting respirators that will be used in the workplace; 
  
  
• medical evaluations for workers to determine if they can safely use a respirator; 
  
  
• fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators; 
  
  
• procedures for the proper use of respirators in routine and emergency situations; 
  
  
• procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and maintaining respirators. This includes cleaning respirators after each use if a respirator is shared among workers; 
  
  
• procedures to make sure there is enough breathing air when using atmosphere-supplying respirators; 
  
  
• training workers about the breathing hazards to which they may be exposed; 
  
  
• training workers on how to put on and remove respirators, and the limitations, proper use and maintenance of respirators; and 
  
  
• evaluation of the respirator program.
  
  

Hardhats — (29 CFR 1910.135)

Hardhats are worn primarily to prevent injuries from falling or flying objects. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets standards for the design of hardhats.

Figure 9

Face and eye protection —  (29 CFR 1910.133) Safety goggles, face shields, and welding helmets are used to protect the eyes and face. This type of protection should be worn when using power tools or to prevent being splashed with liquids in the eyes or face. See Figure 9.

Gloves — (29 CFR 1910.138)

Gloves can prevent cuts, infections, and burns. They can also protect the hands and arms from irritation and block hazardous substances from passing through the skin. Like respirators, the type of glove that must be used depends on the hazard(s) that is present in the work area.

Protective clothing

The style and type of protective clothing depends on the hazard and nature of the work. Asbestos removal requires disposable or protective coveralls, hoods, and foot coverings. Workers on road crews need reflective clothing so that they will be seen more easily by other drivers.

Foot protection — (29 CFR 1910.136)

Safety shoes and boots with heavy duty steel toes, reinforced plastics, or hard rubber protect feet against heavy impacts. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets standards for foot protection. As with respirators, gloves, or other gear, safety footwear must be selected based on the hazards in the workplace.

See the Following Publications and Web Sites for More Information

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Guidelines for the Selection of Chemical Protective Clothing, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1983

Civil Service Employees Association, AFSCME Local 1000, Controlling Noise in the Workplace

Fosberg, K. and Mansdorf, S.Z., Quick Selection Guide to Chemical Protective Clothing, 2nd Edition

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection, Publication #87-116

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Hearing Conservation, OSHA Publication #3074 

OSHA, Personal Protective Equipment
OSHA Fact Sheet #92-08

OSHA, Respiratory Protection, OSHA Publication #3079
(PDF document requiring Acrobat Reader)

OSHA, Technical Links: Respiratory Protection