PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
Obejective:
Given that PPE’s are the last line of defense, this module
instructs the participant on understanding, developing and
implementing a PPE Program.
Rationate:
Risk to health and safety may occur whenever there is
exposure to chemical, physical or biological hazard. The
degree of risk depends on the severity of the hazard, and
the degree of exposure. PPE is the last line of defense in
Industrial Hygiene control; it does not eliminate the
hazard; it aids in controlling individual exposure.
OPTIONS FOR CONTROL:
1. Risk Evaluation
2. Hazards Identification
3. Choice of control options
4. Determination of control needs
Determination of Control Needs
Know the hazards in the workplace
associated with specific jobs.
Consider normal operations, maintenance
activities, foreseeable emergencies.
Know the risk to persons doing those
jobs.
Hazard Identification
Agent
Physical Characteristics
Route of Entry
Effect from exposure
Risk Evaluation
For any particular job, know:
Nature and degree of exposure
Magnitude of exposure
Increased level of exposure
Length of exposure
Frequency of exposure occurrence
Related circumstances
Local or systemic effect
Short or long term effect
Reversibility or otherwise
Acceptable level of exposure
Standards
Accurate measurement
Variations in concentration of contaminant
Overall level of risk to the worker
Control Options selecteed should:
Reduce individual to an acceptable level
Be acceptable to the potentially exposed
workforce
Be practicable in terms of engineering
concepts
Role of Management
Development of PPE Program
Implemention
Evaluation based on guidelines, standards
Revision, refinement
Industrial Hygiene Control
Engineering
Administrative
Personal Protective Equipment
Limitations of PPE
It does not reduce or eliminate the
hazard. If PPE is defective, the wearer
may be exposed to the hazard without
knowledeg of it.
Protection afforded to wearer only
Management of PPE Programs
Ultimate responsibility of a PPE Program
rests at Management level
It should be supported by a written
procedure and controlled by a
responsible person
PPE PROGRAM IS COMPOSED OF
THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:
1. Selection
2. Fitting
3. Health Aspects
4. Issue
5. Proper use
6. Compatibility
7. Maintenance
8. Disposal
9. Information & Training
10. Supervision
11. Reviews
12. Checklists
1. Selection
To be done by a suitability person with
adequate information of the task, hazards,
personnel, materials, etc.
2. Fitting
When first issued, the user should also be
trained to chek the fit whenever the
equipment is use.
Ensure an adequate fit under supervison
3. Health Aspects
Use of PPE can have an impact on an
employees health (e.g. Skin irritation, heat
stress)
A number of medical conditions may
make it difficult to use certain equipment
4. Compatability
If more than one type of PPE is required
to be worn simultaneously, then the
harmony of the individual items needs to
be evaluated.
The PPE also needs to be compatible with
the task involved.
5. Issue
Provision should be made to control the
issue of PPE to employees, remembering that
several types of equipment may be available.
PPE should be issued on a personal basis to
individual employees. Apart from hygiene
considerations, employees are then more
willing to accept responsibility for the care
and maintenance of the equipment.
A system requiring employees to sign for
certain types of equipment is recommended
and can provide another check on the use of
corrrect equipment.
6. Proper Use
PPE id effective if worn properly for the
appropriate task
Use of PPE by Supervisor encourages
employees & enforces PPE programs
Equipment that can provide complete
protection, but which is not properly
used, may provide no protection at all
Employees should be prevented from
taking used PPE for domestic purposes
7. Maintenance
Depending on type of equipment used,
procedures need to be established for its cleaning
and maintenance when necessary
Exempted here are single use (disposable) items
Occasionally, during use, PPE may become
contaminated with toxic materials. Provision
should be made to prevent contamination with
other areas of the workplace or employees
engaged in cleaning or maintenance activities.
Respirators can be placed in suitably labeled
containers until sent for cleaning.
8. Disposal
Used PPE can be contaminated with toxic
agents and disposal procedures need
careful consideration. Depending on the
circumstances, equipment may need to be
treated as toxic waste
9. Information and Training
Employees have to be given sufficient information
and proper training about the hazards associated
with their jobs to enable them to work safely
with minimal risk to health.
Employees who are fully aware of the hazards and
the need for protection will be more ready to
accept such difficulties and use the equipment
provided
Supervisors should be alert to any changes in the
requirements of the job and any limitations placed
on the employee by the PPE ensuring that
appropriate feedback is given to the Safety
Advisers, Occupational Health Personnel or
Hygienist
10. Supervison
A PPE program is unlikely to be successful
unless the first supervisory personnel are
knowledgeable and held accountable for
effective use of PPE
Supervisors must set an example by
wearing PPE as appropriate and ensure its
use by others as required
11. Reviews
Periodic evaluation to confirm that the
agreed procedures are appropriate and
being followed:
Formal audit carried out by a third party
with specialist advisers
12. Checklist
To ensure use of properly fitted, effective
PPE for specific jobs
It must be remembered that PPE is the
last line of defense. Hence, its
effectiveness may be crucial to the health
of the workers
