Section 5 - Personal Protective and Safety Equipment
05.A General.
05.A.01 Responsibilities.
- The use of personal protective and safety equipment (PPE) is a control measure that is to be used only after a hazard evaluation identifies hazards associated with a particular job or activity, and it is determined that the hazards cannot be eliminated and/or controlled to an acceptable level through engineering design or administrative actions. Utilize process and engineering controls before PPE to protect employees.
- Based on hazard evaluations conducted by supervisors, employers must identify and select, and each affected employee must use PPE that will provide appropriate protection. > See 29 CFR 1910.132.
- Employers must communicate PPE decisions to each affected employee. Employees must use all PPE that may be required to maintain their exposure within acceptable limits.
- The employer will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate employees with religious beliefs that may conflict with determined PPE requirements. However, when reasonable efforts to accommodate employee's religious beliefs do not provide the necessary safe working environment (without PPE), then the employee must use the appropriate PPE or the employee will not be allowed to work in the area where the hazard requiring protection exists.
05.A.02
Employees must be appropriately trained in the use, care, and limitations of all required PPE.
- Employees must be trained in and must demonstrate an understanding of the following aspects of PPE prior to use: selection (for specific hazard); donning, doffing and adjusting; limitations and useful life; inspection and testing; and proper care including maintenance, storage and disposal.
- When the employer has reason to believe that any affected employee who has been trained does not have the understanding and skill required for the use of the PPE, the employer must make certain that the employee receives the necessary re-training to acquire the appropriate skills.
- The employer must verify through written certification that each affected employee has received and understood the required training. The written certification must identify the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of the training, and the subjects taught.
05.A.03
A copy of the manufacturer's use, inspection, testing, and maintenance instructions must be maintained at the job site and be readily available to personnel using the PPE and safety equipment.
05.A.04
PPE must be tested, inspected, and maintained in a serviceable and sanitary Condition as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Defective or damaged equipment, or equipment that has exceeded its useful life, must not be used. It must be tagged as out of service and/or immediately removed from the work site to prevent use.
- Previously used PPE must be cleaned, inspected, and repaired as necessary before issuing to another employee.
05.A.05
When employees provide their own PPE, the employer is responsible for assuring its adequacy in protecting against the hazard and its state of repair.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-1. What is the basis for employers identifying and selecting, and requiring affected employees to use appropriate PPE?
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