Here’s a fun video for you. It’s a “Saturday Night Live” skit, advertising children’s clothing for the holidays. And if you’ve ever dressed your children for the holidays, you’ll relate as the children complain that the clothing is hot and itchy.
This add reminds us that, unlike the clothing in the ad, personal protective equipment (PPE) won’t be worn unless it is comfortable. What else do we know about PPE? Test yourself. Answers are below.
1. Safety glasses are one of the more frequently used types of PPE. Which of the following statements is a regulatory requirement?
A. Safety glasses must have a marking that helps to identify the manufacturer.
B. Safety glasses must have a defogging feature.
C. Safety glasses must cover from the middle of the forehead to the nose.
D. Safety glasses must be able to fit over prescriptive eyewear or has the prescription incorporated into the lens.
E. All of the above is found in the regulation.
F. Only A and D.
2. One of the PPE listed here requires a specific written compliance program, if there is a proven need to wear this PPE in the workplace. Which one is it?
A. Safety glasses.
B. Hearing protective devices.
C. Hand protection (gloves).
D. Hard hats.
E. All of the above.
3. What are things that employers should do in setting up a respiratory protection program?
A. Determine if an atmospheric hazard is present, and if it does exist, determine if the exposure is within permissible limits.
B. Try, as much as feasible, to use engineering controls as much as possible to control the potential hazard.
C. While engineering controls are being put into place, provide respirators for the protection of employees.
D. If engineering controls are not feasible, ensure that respiratory protection is provided that is appropriate for the atmospheric hazards.
E. All of the above.
4. If you are going to use a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS), how much weight should the anchor be able to hold per person attached?
A. 1000 pounds.
B. 2000 pounds.
C. 4000 pounds.
D. 5000 pounds.
5. It is required that you must wear an air purifying respirator (APR) for some tasks at your work. You perform these tasks only about once every two or three months. What do you do with your respirator when you are not wearing it?
A. Stash it under the seat of your vehicle so you have it when you need it.
B. Store it somewhere that has a moderate temperature, is out of direct sunlight, and is protected from dust, contamination and/or damage.
C. You only need it once in a while, keep it in your workplace locker.
D. It doesn’t really matter where you store it, as long as you can find it when you need it.
BONUS QUESTION:
6. Every employee that needs to wear PPE should be trained. What are some regulatory required training topics?
Answers:
1. F
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. B
6. When PPE is required.
What PPE is required.
How to put on, take off, and properly wear PPE.
What the limitations of the PPE might be.
How to care for, store, maintain, inspect PPE, and when to dispose of the PPE.
