Types and methods of Personal protective equipment

PPE may be Equipment, clothing or materials which are used in the workplace, for the purpose of reducing the risk of injury or illness due to workplace hazards.

1. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT

2. Methods of Controlling Exposure
to Hazards Within the Workplace
•Engineering Controls - designed into the workplace.
•These are controls—eliminating toxic substances, changing
process design, using barriers or guards, isolating or enclosing
hazards.
•Administrative Controls - worker rotation,
implementing proper housekeeping, proper worker
training.
•Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)- Equipment,
clothing or materials which are used in the workplace,
for the purpose of reducing the risk of injury or illness
due to workplace hazards.

3. Hierarchy of Controls
Source: OSHA

4. Introduction
•Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is any
safety equipment workers wear to prevent injury in the
workplace when engineering and administrative
controls fail to eliminate the hazard.
•Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to the use
of respirators, special clothing, safety glasses, hard
hats, or similar devices whose proper use reduces the
risk of personal injury or illness resulting from
occupational hazards.
•The basic element of any management program for
PPE should be an in-depth evaluation of the equipment
needed to protect against the hazards at the workplace.

5. Programs and Policies
•When hazards cannot be removed through engineering
or administrative controls, the use of PPE becomes the
best method for protection.
•Creating a program to introduce PPE, both written
policies and enforcement measures are important.
•Management and the work force should embrace the
use of PPE.
Management dedicated to the safety and health of employees
should use that evaluation to set a standard operating procedure
for personnel, then train employees on the protective limitations
of PPE, and on its proper use and maintenance.

6. Types of PPE and Coverage Area
•Head protection
•Eye and face protection
•Hearing protection
•Fall arrest protection
•Respiratory protection
•Hand and arm protection
•Protective footwear
•Special work clothing
Selection of the proper personal protective equipment for a
job is important.
Employers and employees must understand the equipment’s
purpose and its limitations.
The equipment must not be altered or removed even though
an employee may find it uncomfortable simply because it
does not fit properly.

7. The classification of PPE is divided into 3 categories:
•Category I – Includes PPE of simple design and made
for minimal risk, for example, gardening or janitorial
gloves.
•Category II- includes PPE of intermediate design for
intermediate risk, for example, high visibility clothing or
general handling gloves requiring good cut, puncture and
abrasion performance where there is a risk of serious
injury.
•Category III-includes PPE of complex design for
irreversible or mortal risk to the worker. The PPE will be
CE marked and tested and certified by a notified body.
Classification of PPE

8. Common Types of PPE
Head
Eyes
Face
Hands
Feet
Body
Hearing
Respiratory
Hard hats, goggles,
face shields, steel-toed
shoes, respirators,
aprons, gloves, full
body suits!

9. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
1) Application-
• PPE shall be used and maintained in a sanitary
condition to protect the employee from process,
environmental, chemical, radiological, or mechanical
hazards that can injure or impair any part of the
employee=s body by being absorbed, inhaled or contacted
physically.
2)Design- All PPE shall be of safe design and construction
for the work to be performed.
3) Employee-owned Equipment- If employees provide
their own equipment, it is the employer=s responsibility
to ensure the adequacy of the equipment, including
proper maintenance and sanitation.

10. 4) Hazard assessment and equipment selection-
Select the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee
from the hazard(s) identified in the hazard assessment .
5) Defective and Damaged Equipment- Defective or
damaged PPE shall not be used.
6 )Training-
a. Each worker required to use PPE must receive training in
the following:
When and what PPE is necessary
How to properly wear PPE
The limitations of PPE
The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE .

11. •b. Each affected employee shall demonstrate an
understanding of the training specified above and the
ability to use PPE properly, before being allowed to
perform work requiring the use of PPE.
•c. The College shall verify that each affected employee
has received and understood the required through
written certification that contains the name of each
employee trained, the dates of training and the subject
of the certification.

12. Program to Introduce PPE
•Assessments of hazards in the workplace are conducted
to determine the need for PPE to protect workers.
•Management should complete the following:
1.Write a policy on usage of the PPE and
communicate it to the employees.
2.Select the proper equipment.
3.Implement a thorough training program to make
certain employees know the correct use and
maintenance of their equipment.
4.Enforce the use of PPE.

13. 1. Policy
•The written program should include a policy, hazard
assessment or PPE-needs assessment, selection of PPE
to be used, worker training and motivation in use of
PPE, and enforcement of company PPE policy.
•The policy should clearly state the need for and use of
PPE.
•It also should identify any exceptions and limitations to
the use of PPE.
•Details of the specific work conditions are often stated.
•Management must follow the same safety rules.

14. 2. Selection of Proper Equipment
•Except for respiratory protection devices, few items of
PPE are tested according to performance specifications
and approved by impartial or third-party examiners.
•ANSI standards -American National Standards Institute
•National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Certified Equipment List
•SEI (Safety Equipment Institute)
•developed policies for third-party certification of
safety equipment
•existing certification programs include eye and face
protection, emergency eyewash and shower
equipment, firefighters’ helmets, protective
headwear, protective footwear, and personal fall
protection

15. 3.Proper Training
•PPE training programs should include:
•description of what hazards and/or conditions exist in
the workplace environment
•explanation of what has been done, can/cannot be
done about hazards
•explanation of why a certain type of PPE has been
selected
•discuss the capabilities and/or limitations of PPE
•demonstrate the use, adjust, or fit of the PPE

16. Proper Training (Cont.)
•Practice use of the PPE.
•Explain the company policy and its enforcement.
•Discuss how to deal with emergencies.
•Discuss how PPE will be paid for, maintained,
repaired, cleaned, and any other details.
•Use of PPE must be enforced including disciplinary
measures.
•29 CFR 1910.132-138
•establishes the employer’s obligation to provide PPE to
employees

17. TYPES OF PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

18. 1.Head Protection (Safety
Helmets)
•Used to protect the head from:
•impacts caused by falling objects
•to protect from electrical shock and burns
•to prevent entanglement of hair or the head in
machinery
•ANSI standard- Z89.1, 2003
•A helmet is a device that is worn to provide
protection for the head from, impact, flying particles,
electrical shock, and must contain a suitable
harness.

19. Helmet Classifications
•Type 1—helmet with full brim not < 1¼ inches wide to reduce
the force of impact to top of head
•Type 2—helmets intended to reduce the force of impact from a
blow to the sides or top of head.
Classes of hard hats:
•Class G (general)—Protect against impact, penetration,
Low-voltage electrical protection (proof-tested to 2,200 volts)
•Class E (electrical)—utility service, high-voltage protection
—falling or flying objects, and high-voltage shock and burns
•Class C (conductive)—
•Designed for comfort; offers limited protection
•Protects heads that may bump against fixed objects
•Does not protect against falling objects or electrical hazards

20. Head Protection (Cont.)
•Bump caps—not a helmet or hard hat; no standards
except manufacturer’s specification; impact from
bumping into stationary objects or from cleaning in
tight spaces, and not from overhead operations; risk of
potential injury is limited. Not to replace helmets
required by Z89.1.
•Hair protection—employees with long hair or beards
must be protected from contact with moving parts.
Caps should cover the entire head of hair.
Modifications per job and hazards.

21. Head Protection (Cont.)
•Maintenance:
•Inspect helmets for cracks, signs of impact or rough treatment,
and wear that might reduce the degree of safety originally
provided.
•Exposure to ultraviolet light, chemicals, or welding may
decrease the life expectancy.
•Discard and replace all helmets which show signs of
deterioration.
•Check product service life and replace as necessary.
•DO NOT PAINT OR ALTER HARD HATS WITH LABELS AND
STICKERS—potential to cover cracks or defects.
•Clean and store helmets appropriately after use.

22. 2. Eye Protection
•Use to protect the eyes from exposures caused by:
•physical agents
•chemical agents
•radiation
•Selecting eye and face protection – elements
to consider:
•Ability to protect against workplace hazards
•Should fit properly
•Should provide unrestricted vision and
movement
•Durable and cleanable
•Allow unrestricted functioning of other PPE

23. Eye and Face Protection
•About 70% of all eye injuries result from flying or
falling foreign objects.
•Contact with harmful substances, chemicals, and so
forth causes more than 20% of injuries.
•Foreign bodies in the eye occurred in about 60% of the
cases.
•Eye and Face Protection Standard-ANSI z87.1,1989
sets comprehensive standards to be used for protective
eye and face devices in OSHA regulations.
•Most current standard is ANSI Z87.1, 2003.

24. Eye Protection (Cont.)
•Selection of impact-resistant eyewear includes:
•level of protection afforded
•comfort with which they can be worn
•ease of repair
•Proper eye protection devices should be selected and
their use enforced to provide maximum protection for
the degree of hazard involved.
•Face shields are not recommended as eye protection
from impact (ANSI Z87.1).
•Goggles should protect the eye socket.

25. Goggle types
Direct-ventilated Indirect-ventilated Non-ventilated
•Does not allow the
passage of air into
the goggle
•Prevents splash
entry
•May fog and require
frequent lens
cleaning
•Prevents fogging
by allowing air
circulation
•Protects against
liquid or
chemical splash
entry
•Resist direct passage
of large particles into
the goggle
•Prevents fogging by
allowing air
circulation

26. Eye Protection (Cont.)
•Contact lenses
•Prevent Blindness
•When the work environment entails exposures to
chemicals, vapors, splashes, radiant or intense
heat, molten metals or a highly particulate
atmosphere, contact lens use should be restricted
accordingly.
•American Optometric Association
•Contact lenses may be worn in some hazardous
environments with appropriate covering safety
eyewear.

27. 3.Face Protection
•Face shields should be worn over suitable basic eye
protection.
•A variety of face shields will protect the face and neck
from flying particles, sprays of hazardous liquids,
splashes of molten metal, and other hot solutions.
•Provide antiglare protection where required.
•Materials should combine:
•mechanical strength
•light weight
•non-irritation to skin
•withstand frequent disinfecting operations

28. Face Protection (Cont.)
•Used to protect the face and neck from:
•flying particles
•sprays of hazardous liquids
•splashes of molten metal
•hot solutions

29. Face Protection (Cont.)
•Acid hoods and chemical goggles:
•Protection from acids, alkalis, or other hazardous liquids
•Chemical hood may be worn with and without ventilation in
addition to protective eyewear.
•Laser beam protection
•Lasers produce monochromatic, high-intensity light beams,
frequently capable of causing significant eye damage.
•Laser goggles, spectacles, or eye shield are used.
•Welding
•Radiant energies of ultraviolet, visible and infrared bands
require worker protection.

30. 4.Hearing Protection
•Used to protect the ear from damaging sounds which
may cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.
•NIHL (noise-induced hearing loss)— slowly
developing hearing loss over a long period (years)
resulting from exposure to continuous or intermittent
loud noise.
•Occupational acoustic trauma results from single
exposure to sudden burst of sound.
•Hearing conservation programs for employees exposed
to excessive noise mandated by OSHA.

31. •Occupational noise-induced hearing loss characteristics:
•always sensor neural, affecting the hair cells in the
inner ear
•low-frequency limits: about 40 db (decibel)
•high frequency limits: about 75 db
•if noise is discontinued, no significant further loss
•as hearing threshold increases, rate of loss decreases
•earliest damage to inner ears reflects a loss at 3000,
4000 and 6000 hz and less at 500, 1000, and 2000 hz.
•stable exposure conditions will reach a maximal level
in 10–15 years

32. OSHA Hearing Conservation Standard (29 CFR
1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure) requires a
hearing conservation program for employees exposed
to excessive noise (85 dBA for an 8-hour time-weighted
average).
OSHA Permissible Limit of 90 decibel for an 8-
hour time-weighted average.

33. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides
noise reduction ratings (NRR) for protective devices.
Four types of hearing protection
enclosure (helmets)
aural (ear inserts)
most commonly used and cheapest
include formable, custom molded, and molded
types
super aural (canal caps)
Circum aural (earmuffs)

34. 5. Fall Arrest Systems
•Means of preventing workers from experiencing
disastrous falls from elevations
•Classifications:
•Passive: requires no action on worker’s part (personnel and
debris nets)
•Active: requires some manipulation on worker’s part (harnesses,
lanyards, anchor points, fall arresters, shock absorbers)
•Systems needed:
•over 4 ft guard rail or midrail, per 29 CFR 1910.23
•over 6 ft guard rail per 29 CFR 1926.500
•over 25 ft overwater per 29 CFR 1926.105
•assess vertical versus horizontal work requirements
•consider rescue methods, backup systems, dry or wet, number of
workers, and environmental factors

35. Fall Arrest Systems (Cont.)
•Elements of a successful fall arrest program:
•policy and enforcement of fall protection
•worker qualification at elevated conditions
•training on fall arrest system
•selection of equipment
•installation of equipment
•equipment maintenance and inspection
•rescue procedures
•job survey analysis

36. Fall Protection
•Components of the active fall arrest systems:
•anchor/anchorage points
•lanyard
•body belts
•harnesses
•retracting lifeline devices
•lifelines
•lifeline (“dropline”)
•hardware connectors
•fall arresters and shock absorbers
•fall arresting system and work positioning system
•restraint system

37. Fall Protection (Cont.)
•Equipment inspection and maintenance
•Utilize the manufacturer’s instructions per preventive
maintenance and inspection.
•Check for damage before each use.
•Equipment must be removed from service after exposure to the
forces of arresting a fall or equivalent forces.
•Clean arrest equipment regularly to keep it in good condition
and top working order.
•Store away from bright light and UV light and maintain in a
cool dry place. Check for fading of colors, which may indicate
damage or potential failure.

38. 6. Respiratory Protection
•Employers are required to use engineering and work
practice controls as a primary means to protect an
employee’s health from contaminated or oxygen-
deficient air.
•If controls are not technologically or economically
feasible, an employer may rely upon a respiratory
protection program to protect employees.

39. Respiratory Protection Program
•written respiratory protection program containing
workplace-specific hazard to protect worker (29 cfr
1910.134)
•procedures for selecting respirators
•medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators
•fit-testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators
•use of respirators in routine and emergency situations
•procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing,
inspecting, repairing, and maintenance
•procedures to ensure adequate air quality and quantity
•training for respiratory hazards, limitations, use and
maintenance
•audit program for effectiveness

40. Selecting Proper Respiratory
Protection
•The selection involves three steps:
1.identify the hazard
2.evaluate the hazard
3.select appropriate, approved respiratory equipment based on
the first two steps

41. Airborne Hazards
•Dusts
•Fumes
•Mists
•Gases
•Vapors
•Smoke
•Oxygen deficiency
•Biological agents

42. Respiratory Protection
•Engineering and administrative controls
•Fit, selection, training
•Identifying hazards—dust, fumes, mists, vapors, etc.
•Evaluation of hazard—walk-through, measurements,
physical/chemical nature, needed or not needed
•NIOSH along with Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
designate the level of effectiveness a respirator
provides to a wearer.

43. Types of Respirators
•Air supplying respirator—independent source of air
(open circuit or closed circuit) provides clean breathing air
•Air-purifying, can only be used in atmospheres that
contain adequate (19.5% or greater) oxygen.
•Air-Purifying Respirators (APR) are divided
into three types: Particulate Filtering, which removes
particulates such as dusts, mists, aerosols, and fumes;
and Vapor and Gas Filtering, which removes vapors
and gases from the air you inhale.
•Combination Respirators-Are normally used in
atmospheres that contain hazards of both particulates
and gases.

44. 7. Back Supports-employee whose job requires lifting
shall be provided with a back support, if requested, and
given training in the proper lifting techniques.
8. Body Harnesses and Lifelines-Employees working
at elevations or in confined spaces shall be provided
with body harnesses and lifelines when working in
these environments.

45. 9. Protective Clothing
•Gloves: consider tools used to perform assigned tasks
•cotton, leather: used primarily in construction and industrial
applications
•Latex, nitrile, neoprene, etc.: used for hazardous chemicals
•Hand/arm leathers: protect against hot, rough objects
•heavier and more flexible than gloves
•Impervious, natural rubbers, latex, olefin: protect against
dusts, vapors, and moisture of hazardous substances and
corrosive liquids
•Follow disposal/washing procedures
•Workers should shower or at a minimum wash hands
appropriately.
•Properly launder prior to reuse or dispose of contaminated PPE
equipment.

46. 10.Protective Footwear
•Classified according to its ability to meet the
requirements for compression resistance and
impact resistance.
•Examples:
•metatarsal
•conductive
•electrical hazard
•static dissipative
•sole puncture resistant
•foundry

47. Footwear Standards
•ASTM F2413-05 Standard Specifications for
Performance Requirements for Foot Protection.
•OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.132 General
Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment.
•OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.136 Foot Protection
•OSHA standards contain hazard assessment and foot
protection requirements for employees whose work
presents hazards to their feet.
•Hazards include: objects falling onto or placed on foot,
objects rolling over foot, sharp objects penetrating sole
of footwear, static electricity, contact with energized
conductors.

48. Additional Protective
Footwear Features
•Additional features provided by many manufacturers
which are not required by standards:
•waterproofing
•chemical resistance
•insulation

49. Special Work Clothing
•Clothing which helps to minimize the effects of job
exposures to:
•heat
•molten metal
•corrosive chemicals
•cold temperatures
•body impact
•cuts
•other specialized hazards

50. Care and Use of
Personal Protective Devices
•Do not alter or change the device.
•Use the device for the purpose it was intended.
•Dispose of devices that show signs of wear and tear.
•Use the manufacturer’s suggestions for cleaning
devices that can be reused.

51. Respiratory Protective
Equipment
•Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is a particular
type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), used to
protect the individual wearer against the inhalation of
hazardous substances in the workplace air. 
•RPE should only be used where adequate control of
exposure cannot be achieved by other means, such as
Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls,
Administrative Controls, PPE.
•RPE should only be used after all other reasonably
practicable control measures have been taken.
•Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) not worn or
selected appropriately is totally ineffective and may give
the user a false sense of protection.

53. High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA)- Filter
that is at least 99.97% efficient in removing monodisperse
particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter.

54. Seven Elements of a Respiratory Programme
•A written plan detailing how the programme is managed
•A complete assessment and knowledge of respiratory hazards that
will be encountered in the workplace
•Procedures and equipment to control respiratory hazards, including
the use of engineering controls and work practices designed to limit or
reduce employee exposures to such hazards
•Guidelines for the proper selection of appropriate respiratory
protective equipment
•An employee training program covering hazard recognition, the
dangers associated with respiratory hazards, and proper care and use
of respiratory protective equipment
•Inspection, maintenance, and repair of respiratory protective
equipment
•Medical surveillance of employees, where necessary.

55. •RPE is divided into two main types:
•Respirator (filtering device) – uses filters to remove
contaminants in the workplace air , there are two main
types:
•Non-powered respirators – rely on the wearer’s
breathing to draw air through the filter
•Powered respirators – use a motor to pass air
through the filter to give a supply of clean air to the
wearer
•Breathing apparatus (BA)  – needs a supply of
breathing-quality air from an independent source (e.g.
air cylinder or air compressor)

56. •Both respirators and BA are available in a range of
different styles, which can be put into two main groups:
•Tight-fitting face pieces (often referred to as masks)
- rely on having a good seal with the wearer’s face.
These are available as both non-powered and powered
respirators and BA. Examples are filtering face
pieces, half and full-face masks.
•Loose-fitting face pieces – rely on enough clean air
being provided to the wearer to prevent contaminant
leaking in (only available as powered respirators or
BA). Examples are hoods helmets, visors, blouses and
suits.

57. Types of Respirators
•Air supplying respirator—independent source of air
(open circuit or closed circuit) provides clean breathing air
•Air-purifying, can only be used in atmospheres that
contain adequate (19.5% or greater) oxygen.
•Air-Purifying Respirators (APR) are divided
into three types: Particulate Filtering, which removes
particulates such as dusts, mists, aerosols, and fumes;
and Vapor and Gas Filtering, which removes vapors
and gases from the air you inhale.
•Combination Respirators-Are normally used in
atmospheres that contain hazards of both particulates
and gases.

58. Air-Supplying Respirators (ASR)
•Atmosphere-supplying Respirators supply clean air
directly to the user from a source other than the air
surrounding the user.
•Classified according to the way air is supplied and
regulated
•self-contained breathing apparatus (air or oxygen is
carried in a tank on the worker’s back)
•supplied-air respirators (compressed air from a
stationary source is supplied through a high-pressure
hose connected to the respirator)
•combination self-contained and supplied-air respirators

59. Air Purifying Respirators (APR)
•A respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or
canister that removes specific air contaminants by
passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.
•These respirators can purify the air of gases, vapors,
and particulates but do not supply clean breathing air.
•They must not be used in oxygen-deficient
atmospheres.
•The useful life is limited by:
•the concentration of the air contaminant
•the breathing demand of the wearer
•the removal capacity of the air-purifying medium

60. Respirator Fit Testing
•Fit tests must be performed prior to respirator use.
•Fit-testing is required for all employees when:
•using negative or positive pressure tight-fitting
respirators
•respirators are required by OSHA
•employer requires the use of respirator
•Storage, maintenance, cleaning, medical

61. •Fit tests must be repeated:
•at least annually
•whenever a different respirator facepiece is used
•whenever a change in the employee’s physical condition could
affect the use of the respirator
•Qualitative tests: wearer is challenged to ensure a tight fit against
irritant or odorous chemical.
•Pros: convenient, quick, easy, and low cost.
Con: not reliable
•Quantitative tests: wearer challenged in chamber to test
atmosphere during typical movements. Calculation of safety factors
to ensure no leakage.
•Pros: objective, provides protection in IDLH or toxic atmospheres
•Cons: costly, requires trained personnel to conduct test.

62. Respirator Storage and Maintenance
•Respirators should be stored to protect from dust,
sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture, and
damaging chemicals.
•Before storage, clean and wash per directions, and
sanitize.
•Maintain all respirators.
•Perform inspections of all components and parts prior
to each use as well as daily and weekly.
•Repair or remove from service any defective
respirators.