Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is only utilized when hazards cannot be eliminated or reduced with engineering and administrative controls.

Proper identification of hazards present, selection, maintenance, handling, and employee training on PPE are all essential to reduce workplace exposures.

Assessing the need for Personal Protective Equipment:

1. A written hazard assessment is the general requirement by OSHA

2. Example from OSHA:  Assessing the need for Personal Protective Equipment 

3. Part of the PPE Assessment is: fit, maintenance, storage, limitations, and training on the proper use and maintenance of PPE

Main Topic Pages for Standards & Regulations on Personal Protective Equipment:

1.  OSHA Personal Protective Equipment 

2. NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment 

3.  U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center Personal Protective Equipment 

Head:

1.  OSHA Head Protection - general requirements for head protection

2.  U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center Head Protection  - information regarding helmets

Eye/Face:

1.  OSHA Eye and Face Protection  - general requirements for eye and face protection

2.  OSHA Eye and Face Protection eTool  - provides industrial hygienists with a tool to look at PPE selection and OSHA requirements related to eye and face protection

3.  NIOSH Eye Safety 

4.   PHC TG 006: Vision and Safety Eyewear Guide for U.S. Army Civilian and Military Job Series

5.   PHC Fact Sheet: Selecting the Appropriate Eye and Face Protection

6.  U.S. Army Vision Conservation and Readiness  - provides industrial hygienists with guides on UV protection, combat eye protection, 10 rules of eye safety, and vision deployment pack

7.  PHC Respiratory Protection page 

Ears:

1.  OSHA Occupational Noise Exposure  - Provides information about monitoring and establishing a hearing protection program

2.  OSHA Noise and Hearing Conservation eTool  - Provides industrial hygienists with OSHA, ACGIH, and NIOSH Exposure guidelines, general industry standard, and much more!

3.  NIOSH Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention  - Provides industrial hygienists with hearing loss facts, statistics, publications, tools, and standards

4.  NIOSH How to Choose Hearing Protection 

5.  NIOSH Hearing Protector Device Compendium 

6.  U.S. Army Hearing Program - Provides industrial hygienists with audiometric test booth certification form, DA PAM 40-501 Hearing Conservation Program, and DODI 6055.12 Hearing Conservation Program

7.  PHC TG 041: Personal Hearing Protective Devices-Their Fitting, Care and Use

Body:

1.  OSHA Chemical Protective Clothing 

2.  NIOSH Protective Clothing and Ensembles 

Feet:

 OSHA Foot Protection 

Hand:

 OSHA Hand Protection