PERSONAL PROTECTIVE

EQUIPMENT - WHATS IT ALL

ABOUT?
PREPARED BY
BERNARD ELLIOTT
2010
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION INSTRUCTOR

Personal Protective Equipment

Definition:
1. Devices used to protect an employees from
injury or illness resulting from contact with
chemical, physical, electrical, mechanical, or
other workplace hazards (OSHA)
2. all clothing and other work accessories designed
to create a barrier against workplace hazards.

Some Caveats
The need for PPE and the type of PPE used is

based on hazard present; each situation must

be evaluated independently
The use of PPE signifies that the hazard could

not be controlled by other methods, such as:

administrative controls (i.e., shift rotation)

engineering or industrial hygiene controls

The use of PPE signals that the hazard still

exists in the workplace

Unprotected individuals in the same area will

be exposed
Failure of PPE means that the worker will be

exposed
PPE can be combined with other controls

So, what is it???

PPE
Head protection
Eye and Face protection
Hearing protection
Respiratory protection
Arm and Hand protection
Foot and Leg protection
Body protection

Head Protection

Hard Hats work by dissipating force

It protects the head from
Flying or falling objects
Hitting against exposed beams,
machine parts and Pipes
Exposed electrical conductors/high
voltages
Shocks
Burns

Eye Protection

Eye Protection
Common Uses:

Impact Protection

Dust or flying particles protection

Chemical splashes/Hazards
Intense light / heat protection
Hazardous liquids protection
Chemicals and other toxic materials protection

Eye Protection - Selection

Safety glasses are used to protect the eyes from

flying objects (no face protection)

Chemical splash goggles protect against fluids by

sealing tightly against the face

Face shield forms a barrier against flying wood

chips and other projectiles

Protective eyewear shields eyes from dust,

fumes, mists and vapours

Face Shield - the highest level of face protection

Hearing Protection

Hearing Protection - Types

Ear Plugs - less expensive, disposable, good ones

have fairly high Noise Reduction Ratings - sometimes

difficult to tell if employees are wearing them
Ear Muffs - more expensive, more durable, typically

higher Noise Reduction Ratings than plugs, more

obvious
Can be used together in very high noise areas
Ear muffs and ear plugs protect against intermittent,

sudden or prolonged loud noises

Arm and Hand Protection

Gloves - Typical Uses

Work gloves made of durable material such as leather are
needed to protect hands from
Burns
Exposure to chemical substances
Abrasions or cuts
Friction or bruises
Extremes of heat and cold.
Injury from working with tools eg. punctures
Exposure to electrical wiring or components

Gloves - more caveats

No glove is good against all hazards.
Gloves have a finite lifespan and must be

periodically replaced.
When donning gloves, examine them for signs

of tears, cracks, holes and dry rot

Hands should always be washed after removing

gloves
Gloves must fit securely on to the hand, as
improper fit will impede your ability to
manipulate the tools as you work.

Handwashing and gloves

Foot and Leg Protection

Protective Footwear
Steel-toed boots, preferably with metatarsal

guards, is used to protect feet from crushing

injuries caused by falling tools, heavy
materials and sharp objects
Rubber boots are often used to protect feet

from exposure to liquids, water, electric

shocks and slippery surfaces.

Other Protective Clothing

Other Protective Clothing

Used to protect from hazards in the workplace such as

exposure to dust, toxic material or chemical splashes

Intense heat
Splashes of hot metals and other hot liquids
Impacts from tools, machinery, and materials
Cuts
Hazardous chemicals
Radiation

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory Protection
Protects users by removing

harmful/hazardous materials that may enter

the body via the lungs
Respirators reduce exposure to certain

harmful airborne substances

Dust mask must fit comfortably over nose and

mouth to accomplish useful protection

Respiratory System

Respirators - types
Air Purifying Respirators (APR)

Half-face
Full Face

Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Respirators
Does not include:

surgical masks
dust masks

Respirators - A Big Caveat!!!

Employees should not wear a respirator

unless they have been medically cleared to do

so!

Why?
Respirators put additional resistance against

the respiratory system of the wearer

Persons with undiagnosed respiratory system

or cardiovascular problems could trigger a

serious medical problem (respiratory distress,
asthma, heart attack, etc.) by using a
respirator

Back brace/ Waist brace

Protection against strain from lifting heavy

objects

Knee Pad
Use to protect the knees from injury when carrying

out tiling job

Correctly Fitting PPE

When selecting PPE you should always keep the

idea of a comfortable fit in the forefront of your

mind. If PPE does not fit properly it will be
ineffective in protecting you against potential
hazards that you will encounter on the job.
The best way to guarantee proper fit is to fit the

PPE and make the adjustments to fit your face or

body.

PPE Usage
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that

PPE is available and worn

Employees are responsible for wearing &

maintaining PPE, and reporting worn or

defective PPE to their supervisor

Recap
PPE is hazard specific; the hazards of each workplace

and task must be evaluated

PPE is used as a last resort when the hazard cannot
be controlled by other methods
Supervisors are responsible to ensure it is available
and worn; Employees must wear and maintain their
PPE

Recap
Respirators should not be worn by employees

unless they have been medically cleared to do

so
To be considered effective, protective clothing

must prevent the contaminant from reaching

the clothing or skin of the wearer!

Dressed for Success!

CHECKPOINT
When is PPE necessary?
Explain the limitations of some PPE.
Describe how you would maintain and store three

(3) of the PPE used on the job.

What are the possible defects that certain PPE

may have?
What are your responsibilities regarding the use

of PPE?

ACTIVITY
Work with a group of your colleagues and plan a

role-play on the consequences of failing to

properly equip yourself with appropriate PPE.
Use the role-play as a basis for a group discussion

on the importance of wearing appropriate PPE to

reduce or eliminate safety hazards

THE END