PPE Program Development
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One of the requirements of
OSHA
General PPE Requirements Standard 29CFR1910
Subpart I and Wisconsin
COMM Chapter 32 is a written
PPE
program. What does a program
look like? For all PPE
programs, the following are minimal components that are required:
1. Hazard assessment
The purpose is to identify sources of hazards to
workers. Per OSHA Standard
29CFR1910.132(d)(1)(i), employers must assess the workplace to determine
if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate
the use of PPE. If so, the employer must:
-
Select, and have each affected employee use the
types of PPE that will protect him or her from the hazards
identified in the hazard assessment
-
Communicate selection decisions to each
affected employee
-
Select PPE that properly fits each affected
employee.
Managers and supervisors should conduct a
walk-through survey of all the work areas, considering possible
employees exposure to:
Resources:
PPE Hazard
Assessment (Word,
124 KB)
Infection
Control Practices by Disease (Word, 238 KB)
2. Equipment
selection and use
After completion of the Hazard Assessment, the
general procedure for selection of protective equipment is to:
-
Become familiar with the potential hazards and
the type of protective equipment that is available, and what it can
do; i.e., splash protection, impact protection, etc.
-
Compare the hazards associated with the
environment; i.e., impact velocities, masses, projectile shape,
radiation intensities, potentially infectious materials with the
capabilities of the available protective equipment.
-
Select the protective equipment which ensures a
level of protection greater than the minimum required to protect
employees from the hazards.
-
Fit the user with the protective device and
give instructions on care and use of the PPE. It is very important
that end users be made aware of all warning labels for and
limitations of their PPE.
-
Fit the device. Careful consideration must be
given to comfort and fit. PPE that fits poorly will not afford the
necessary protection. Continued wearing of the device is more likely
if it fits the wearer comfortably. Protective devices are generally
available in a variety of sizes. Care should be taken to ensure that
the right size is selected.
Common PPE:
-
Eye and Face Protection (29
CFR1910.133)
-
Protection against impact, dust, splash,
radiation
-
Includes safety glasses/, side shields,
goggles, and face shields
-
Respiratory Protection (29CFR1910.134)
-
Head Protection (29CFR1910.135)
-
Foot Protection (29CFR1910.136)
-
Protection against falling or rolling
objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's
feet are exposed to electrical hazards
-
Shoe and head covers provide a barrier
against possible exposure within a contaminated environment
-
Hand (29CFR1910.138)
-
Skin absorption of harmful substances;
severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures;
chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes
-
Gloves help protect you when directly
handling potentially infectious materials or contaminated
surfaces.
-
Ear (29CFR1910.195)
-
Exposure limit of 90db with an action level
of 85 db.
-
Log scale, sound level doubles w/ every 5
db (90dB is twice the level of 85dB)
-
Hearing Conservation Program required for
exposure greater than 85 db.
-
Other protective clothing
-
Gowns help protect against the
contamination of clothing with potentially infectious material.
-
TyvekŪ suits help protect against
potentially infectious materials and other unknown environmental
hazards
3. Reassessment
of hazards
It is necessary to reassess the workplace hazard
situation periodically by identifying and evaluating new equipment and
processes, reviewing accident records, and reevaluating the suitability
of previously selected PPE.
4. Training
Standard 29CFR1910.132 (f)(1)
The employer shall provide training to each
employee who is required to use PPE. Each employee shall be trained to
know at least the following:
-
When PPE is necessary
-
What PPE is necessary
-
How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
-
The limitations of the PPE
-
The proper care, maintenance, useful life and
disposal of the PPE
-
When the employer has reason to believe that
any affected employee who has already been trained does not have the
understanding and skill, the employer shall retrain the employee.
Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not
limited to, situations where:
-
Changes in the workplace render previous
training obsolete
-
Changes in the types of PPE to be used
render previous training obsolete
-
Inadequacies in an affected employee's
knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has
not retained the requisite understanding or skill.
-
The employer shall verify that each affected
employee has received and understood the required training through a
written certification that contains the name of each employee
trained, the date(s) of training, and that identifies the subject of
the certification.
5. Payment for PPE Standard 29CFR1910.132 (h)(1)
Except as provided by paragraphs (h)(2) through
(h)(6) of this Standard, the, PPE used shall be provided by the employer
at no cost to employees.
Model Plans and Templates
Wisconsin Tuberculosis Program website includes a
TB infection control plan and a model respiratory protection plan for
local public health agencies: Respiratory Protection Plan:
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/tb/resources/provider_resources.htm
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan
Template (PDF, 521 KB)
If you have any questions, e-mail Gwen
Borlaug at gwen.borlaug@wisconsin.gov
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Last Revised: January 17, 2012
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