PPE Requirements
Understanding PPE requirements is very necessary for PPE to be used effectively.
PPE also known as “Personal Protective Equipment” are seen as our last line of defense when all other controls fail. It is a requirement for controlling residual risks.
As a requirement for risk control, there are standards which guide the use of PPE.
Read Also: Everything you should know about PPE
In this article, we will concentrate on OSHA standard on PPE requirements.
OSHA has highlighted standards to guide the use of PPE which are divided into:
- General industry standard
- Shipyard employment
- Marine terminal
- Longshoring
Here are the OSHA standards for PPE use in different sectors
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
- 1910.94, Ventilation
- 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure
- 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
- 1910.132, General requirements (Personal protective equipment)
- 1910.133, Eye and face protection
- 1910.134, Respiratory protection
- 1910.135, Head protection
- 1910.136, Foot protection
- 1910.137, Electrical protective equipment
- 1910.138, Hand protection
- 1910.140, Personal fall protection systems
- 1910 Subpart I – Appendix A, References for further information (Non-mandatory)
- 1910 Subpart I – Appendix B, Non-mandatory compliance guidelines for hazard assessment and personal protective equipment selection
- 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces
- 1910.252, General requirements (Welding, cutting, and brazing)
- 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)
- 1915 Subpart I, Personal protective equipment
Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)
- 1917 Subpart E, Personal protection
Longshoring (29 CFR 1918)
- 1918 Subpart J, Personal protective equipment
Read Also: How to manage respirable crystalline silica in the construction site
From the above standards, one of it is the OSHA PPE general requirements.
Lets highlight OSHA’s general PPE requirements
OSHA’s general PPE requirements standard (29 CFR 1910.132) says that all protective devices have to meet these minimum requirements:
- Provide adequate protection against the particular hazards for which they are designed.
- Be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed.
- Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions.
- Fit snugly and not unduly interfere with the movements of the wearer
- Be durable
- Be capable of being disinfected
- Be easily cleanable
- Be distinctly marked to facilitate identification only of the manufacturer.
Training
The standard imposes minimum requirements for training, too. Each employee who is required to wear any type of PPE must 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
- Limitations of the PPE
- Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE
Read Also: What is Hazard and Effect management Process (HEMP)
For questions and contributions, please contact us via our contact page or comment box.
Thank you
PLEASE SHARE THIS ARTICLE
