Preparing PPE Properly

Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. 29 CFR Part 1910.132 

1910.132- PPE General Requirements

We talked briefly about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and controlling hazards, specifically silica, last week. You probably remember that we often say that PPE is the weakest method of controlling hazards. Certainly, if you can eliminate a hazard or substitute it for a lesser hazard, that would be much more desirable, and make you a lot safer. Or if you could use some form of engineering control, like using a fan of some form of ventilation to prevent you from breathing silica dust. At least at that point you have something that is proven to be reliable for protection. But when PPE is all you have as protection it becomes vital to ensure that it is going to do the job you need it to do.

How do you do that? 

First, you want to have equipment that is sanitary. It makes no sense to put something that could cause harm, i.e. unsanitary equipment, on your body. If you work in a chemical plant, and there is the potential for chemical residue to be on your respirator, would you want to put it on your face? Of course not! This is why, in 29 CFR Part 1910.134 Appendix B-2 (Mandatory) we find Respirator Cleaning Procedures.

Respiratory Cleaning Procedures

But what if you did not know that there are cleaning procedures you could follow in the OSHA regulations? According to the regulation cited above, there is an alternative. It says, “the employer as an alternative may use the cleaning recommendations provided by the manufacturer….” You can follow the instructions that were provided with the respirator by the manufacturer. What if you can’t find them? Or what if your employer never provided the recommendations to you? Like with SDS and most other stuff, most manufacturers post these things online. Here’s a link to downloadable respirator cleaning guidance provided by 3M:

Guidelines for Cleaning & Disinfecting PAPR’s

Second, you want your PPE to be reliable. When hand protection is the only thing between you and something sharp that could cut, you want something that will work well to protect your hands. How do you know it will be as reliable as you want it to be? The regulation requires you to inspect your PPE to ensure that it is in working order. PPE that does not pass that inspection should be either repaired or turned into the employer for replacement.

Third, it must be the right PPE for the job to be done. This is typically found by consulting the SDS (for chemicals) and the manufacturer before starting the job.

Fourth, your PPE must fit properly. While required by OSHA, this step is also common sense. PPE that does not fit will not get worn, or when worn may not provide sufficient protection. Remember that PPE that fit you a year ago may not fit you today. Check the fit out periodically. This is one of the reasons respirators are fit tested annually.

Last, they must be stored properly. Some plastics cannot be stored in sunlight, for example. And you don’t want to store the PPE where it could get dirty or contaminated. Again, find the manufacturer’s recommendations, and follow their guidelines.