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Spotlight on Personal Protective Equipment

     OSHA requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce employees' exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these exposures to acceptable levels. Employers are required to determine all exposures to hazards in their workplace and to determine if PPE should be used to protect their workers.

     PPE is designed to protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical or other workplace hazards.

If PPE is used to reduce the employees' exposure to hazards in the workplace, a PPE program should be set up and maintained. This program should identify and evaluate hazards in the workplace and determine if the use of PPE is an appropriate control measure.

     If PPE is used, the program will also determine how PPE is selected, maintained and evaluated and how employees are trained to use it. Employers must also determine the PPE's effectiveness in preventing employee injury or illness. Using PPE is often essential, but is generally the last line of defense after engineering, controls, work practices and administrative controls. 

     As an employer, you are the one who must assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present that require the use of PPE. If such hazards are present, you must select the appropriate PPE and require employees to use it. You must also communicate your PPE selection decisions to your employees, and select PPE that properly fits your workers. 

 

Your PPE training program should include:

  • being aware of when PPE is necessary,

  • knowing what kind of PPE is necessary,

  • using PPE properly,

  • understanding the limitations of PPE,

  • properly wearing PPE, and

  • properly maintaining PPE.

     You can get more information from OSHA's PPE fact sheet. There is also a guide for small employers regarding assessing PPE available.