JOHN GREEN
Workplace Safety Division
Directorate of Analysis and Prevention
U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center
Fort Novosel, Alabama
Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE, is gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards that can cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical or other workplace hazards through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. Standards for PPE are addressed in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I, 132 through 140, and include:
- Eye and face protection
- Head protection
- Foot and leg protection
- Hand and arm protection
- Body protection
- Hearing protection
- Fall protection
- Respiratory protection
Managing the risk
When deciding if PPE is required, management must first complete a workplace assessment to determine whether hazards exist that require the use of PPE and provide a written certification that identifies the hazards within the workplace. After determining that a hazard exists, controlling it at its source is the best way to protect employees. This means physically controlling or stopping a hazard is the best option. Management should use the hierarchy of controls set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to make a decision for PPE use in the following order, with elimination being the most effective and PPE being the least effective:
- Elimination – Physically remove the hazard.
- Substitution – Can the hazard be replaced with a safer substitute?
- Engineering controls – Isolate people from the hazard.
- Administrative controls – Change the way people work.
- PPE – Protect the worker with proper PPE.
When engineering, work practice and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide PPE to their workers. The reason PPE is at the bottom of the list is because it reduces the risk but does not eliminate the exposure completely. That is why PPE should be considered a last resort. Even though PPE is considered your last line of defense, it can still mean the difference between a minor and major injury that could be life-threatening from:
- Breathing in dust, mist, gases or fumes
- Falling materials hitting people
- Flying particles or splashes of corrosive liquids getting into people’s eyes
- Skin contact with corrosive materials
- Excessive noise
- Heat or cold extremes
- Fall hazards
So, what is the employer to do? In accordance with OSHA law, if PPE is required, then the employer should establish a program that addresses the hazards present; the selection, maintenance and use of PPE; training; and monitoring of the program. When selecting PPE, employers should also consider involving the employees, which will make them more likely to understand its importance, use it and support the program. Before you select PPE, think about:
- Who is exposed?
- What are they exposed to?
- How long are they exposed for?
- How much are they exposed?
When selecting PPE, choose the equipment that suits the worker. Consider the size, fit, compatibility and weight of the PPE and the physical characteristics of the user. Modifying PPE to fit is not a suitable solution!
Some types of PPE require guidance from a specialist, such as an industrial hygienist or an occupational safety and health adviser. Seek their advice when selecting the proper PPE. Another useful source when working with chemicals is the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet in Section 8, Exposure Controls and Personal Protection. Once you have selected PPE, you must provide this for your workers free of charge. Leaders must ensure their employees, prior to conducting work requiring the use of PPE, have sufficient information, instruction and training on:
- When PPE is necessary
- What PPE is necessary
- How to properly wear PPE
- The limitations of PPE
- The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE
Leaders must monitor and review the program and check regularly that Soldiers/employees are using PPE correctly and, if not, find out why. Take note of any changes in equipment, materials and methods to update the program. Safety signs posted in locations within the workplace can be a useful reminder that PPE is required.
Soldiers/employees should always make it a habit to wear PPE and follow their organizations’ control measures, safety rules and regulations. Your safety, as well as the safety of your fellow Soldiers/co-workers, is important to everyone on the job.