510 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 1-8

Sections

Chapter 5: Personal Protective and Safety Equipment

This chapter emphasizes the critical importance of personal protective and lifesaving equipment in safeguarding workers from various hazards in the workplace.

This chapter outlines the necessity for regular inspection, maintenance, and proper use of PPE.

It outlines the necessity for regular inspection, maintenance, and proper usage of equipment like respirators, ladders, and personal flotation devices, ensuring they comply with standards set by organizations like ANSI, ASTM, and OSHA.

The chapter also stresses the importance of training employees on the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including the fitting and maintenance of gear designed to protect against specific dangers such as electrical hazards, noise, chemical exposure, and physical injuries.

It also mandates the development of comprehensive programs for hearing conservation and respiratory protection, tailored to the unique risks present in the work environment. By adhering to these guidelines, employers can significantly reduce the risk of injury or death, promoting a safer and more compliant workplace.

5-1. References.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 5-1.

5-1. References.

a.  American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Threshold Limit Values (TLV) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) (https://www.acgih.org/publications/)  (5-1.a)

b.  American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee F18 Standards, Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers (https://www.astm.org/COMMIT/SUBCOMMIT/F18.htm)  (5-1.b)

c.  ANSI/ASA S2.73/ISO 10819, Mechanical Vibration and Shock-Hand-arm Vibration – Measurement and Evaluation of the Vibration Transmissibility of Gloves at the Palm of the Hand (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.c)

d.  ANSI/ASA S12.71, Performance Criteria for Systems that Estimate the Attenuation of Passive Hearing Protectors for Individual Users (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.d)

e.  ANSI/American Welding Society (AWS) Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes (https://webstore.ansi.org/) (5-1.e)

f.  ANSI/Compressed Gas Association (CGA) G-7.1, Commodity Specification for Air (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.f)

g.  ANSI/ISEA Z87.1, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.g)

h.  ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection, (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.h)

i.  ANSI/ISEA 105, American National Standard for Hand Protection Classification (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.i)

j.  ANSI/ISEA 107, American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.j)

k.  ANSI/Laser Institute of America (LIA) Z136.1, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.k)

l.  ANSI/VC Z80.3, Ophthalmics – Nonprescription Sunglass and Fashion Eyewear Requirements (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (5-1.l)

m.  ASTM D120, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.m)

n.  ASTM D1051, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Sleeves (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.n)

o.  ASTM F496, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.o)

p.  ASTM F696, Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.p)

q.  ASTM F1116, Standard Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.q)

r.  ASTM F1117, Standard Specification for Dielectric Footwear https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.r)

s.  ASTM F1236, Standard Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.s)

t.  ASTM F1449, Standard Guide for Industrial Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame Resistant and Arc Rated Clothing (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.t)

u.  ASTM F1506, Standard Performance Specification for Flame Resistant and Electric Arc Rated Protective Clothing Worn by Workers Exposed to Flames and Electric Arcs
(https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.u)

v.  ASTM F1891, Standard Specification for Arc and Flame-Resistant Rainwear, (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.v)

w.  ASTM F1897, Standard Specification for Leg Protection for Chain Saw Users (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.w)

x.  ASTM F1959/F1959M, Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and- publications.html)  (5-1.x)

y.  ASTM F2178/F2178M, Standard Specification for Arc Rated Eye or Face Protective Products (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.y)

z.  ASTM F2412, Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.z)

aa.  ASTM F2413, Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.aa)

bb. ASTM F2675/F2675M, Standard Test Method for Determining Arc Rating of Hand Protective Products Developed and Used for Electrical Arc Flash Protection (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.bb)

cc.  ASTM F2677, Standard Specification for Electrically Insulating Aprons (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.cc)

dd.  ASTM F2757, Standard Guide for Home Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame Resistant or Arc Rated Clothing (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.dd)

ee.  ASTM F3387, Standard Practice for Respiratory Protection (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)  (5-1.ee)

ff.  Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration's “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD) (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov)  (5-1.ff)

gg.  DoDI 6055.12, Hearing Conservation Program (https://www.esd.whs.mil/directives/issuances/dodi/)  (5-1.gg)

hh. ER 385-1-89, Hearing Conservation Program (https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Regulations) (5-1.hh)

ii.  ER 385-1-90, Respiratory Protection Policy (https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Regulations) (5-1.ii)

jj.  NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)  (5-1.jj)

kk.  NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)  (5-1.kk)

ll.  NFPA 1989, Standard on Breathing Air Quality for Emergency Services Respiratory Protection (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)  (5-1.ll)

mm.  OSHA Technical Manual, Health Hazards, Section III: Chapter 5 Noise  (https://www.osha.gov/otm/section-3-health-hazards/chapter-5)  (5-1.mm)

nn.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 98-126, Occupational Noise Exposure, June
1998 (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/)  (5-1.nn)

oo. 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- part1910-subpartI.pdf) (5-1.oo)

pp. 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol5- sec1910-95.pdf)  (5-1.pp)

qq.  29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134) (5-1.qq)

rr.  29 CFR 1917.95, Other Protective Measures (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol7/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol7- sec1917-95.pdf)  (5-1.rr)

ss.  29 CFR 1926.106, Working Over or Near Water (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2020-title29-vol8- sec1926-106.pdf)  (5-1.ss)

tt.  46 CFR 25.25, Life Preservers and Other Lifesaving Equipment (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title46-vol1/pdf/CFR-2020-title46-vol1- part25-subpart25-25.pdf)  (5-1.tt)

uu.  46 CFR 117.70, Ring Life Buoys (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title46-vol4/pdf/CFR-2020-title46-vol4-sec117-70.pdf)  (5-1.uu)

vv.  46 CFR 160, Lifesaving Equipment (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title46-vol6/pdf/CFR-2019-title46-vol6- part160.pdf)  (5-1.vv)

5-2. Definitions.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 5-2.

5-2. Definitions.

a.  Air-Purifying Respirator.  A respirator where ambient air is passed through an air-purifying element by either inhalation or with a blower.  (5-2.a)

b.  Arc Rating. A value of the incident energy (IE) necessary to pass through any given material, or multiple layers of materials, to cause, with 50% probability breakopen or onset of a  second-degree skin burn injury.  This value is measured in calories/cm². The necessary arc rating for an article of clothing is determined by performing an arc flash analysis or a risk assessment.  Arc rating is reported as the lower value of either the arc thermal performance value (ATPV) or the energy breakopen threshold (EBT). (5-2.b)

c.  Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator.  A class of respirators that supply a respirable atmosphere, independent of the workplace atmosphere.  This class includes airline respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).  (5-2.c)

d.  Canister/Cartridge.  A container with a filter, sorbent, or catalyst, or combination of these items, which removes specific contaminants from the air passed through the container.  (5-2.d)

e.  Competent Person (CP).  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable.  (5-2.e)

f.  Decibel (dB). A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound (sound pressure level).  (5-2.f)

(1)  Decibel-A-Weighted (dBA).  A-weighted decibel is an expression of the relative loudness of sounds in air as perceived by the human ear.

(2)  Decibel-C-Weighted (dBC).  C-weighted sound level is the sound pressure in decibels measured with a sound level meter using the C-weighting network and slow meter response. The C-weighted network correlates with the ear’s response for the levels above 85 dB.

g.  Drowning Hazards.  Drowning hazards are associated with work on, over or adjacent to water and include the lack of life jackets, ring buoys and lifesaving skiffs and other devices. Drowning hazards also include work in confined spaces (see chapter 34) and during diving operations (see chapter 30).  (5-2.g)

h.  Dust.  Solid particles generated by handling, crushing, grinding, or detonation of organic or inorganic materials.  (5-2.h)

i.  Filtering Facepiece Respirator.  NIOSH-approved negative-pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium.  (5-2.i)

j.  Fit Factor. A quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates the ratio of the concentration of a substance in ambient air to its concentration inside the respirator when worn.  (5-2.j)

k.  Fit Test. The use of a qualitative or quantitative protocol to evaluate sealing surface leakage of a specific tight-fitting respirator while worn by an individual.  (5-2.k)

l.  Hazardous Noise. Noise exceeding 85 dBA.  (5-2.l)

m.  High Visibility Safety Apparel (HVSA).  Personal protective safety clothing intended to provide conspicuity during both daytime, nighttime, and other low-light condition usage.  (5-2.m)

(1)   Class 2 HVSA.  A category of safety clothing that increases the visibility of the wearer in both daytime and nighttime conditions.  Performance Class 2 HVSA is the minimum practice for HVSA in roadway rights-of-way, temporary traffic control zones, and where traffic is moving at or below 35 miles per hour (mph) (56.3 kilometers per hour (km/h)).  Class 2 HVSA must have at least 201 in2 (1926.8 cm2) of reflective material.  See the MUTCD and ANSI/ISEA 107 for required amount of non-reflective material.

(2)  Class 3 HVSA.  A category of safety clothing that offers greater visibility to the wearer in complex backgrounds (for example, roadways where traffic is traveling in excess of 35 mph (56.3 km/h), emergency personnel or tow truck operators working in blizzard or hurricane conditions).  Class 3 HVSA requires 310 in2 (2000 cm2) of
    reflective material.  Apparel often resembles a short sleeve t-shirt; a sleeveless garment or vest alone is not considered Performance Class 3.  See ANSI/ISEA 107 for required amount of non-reflective material.

(3)  Class E HVSA.  Supplemental apparel comprised of high visibility garments such as pants, bib overalls, shorts, and gaiters.  These items do not qualify as meeting the requirements of the standard when worn alone, however, when a Class E item is worn with a Class 2 or Class 3 garment, the overall classification of the ensemble is Class 3.  (See ANSI/ISEA 107)

(4)  Type P HVSA.  “Public safety,” emergency responder, law enforcement worker apparel that provides daytime and nighttime visual conspicuity enhancement in occupational environments that include exposure to traffic from public access highway rights-of-way or roadway temporary traffic control zones, or from work vehicles and construction equipment within a roadway temporary traffic control zone or from equipment and vehicles within the activity area.  Type P HVSA provides additional
    options for emergency responders, incident responders and law enforcement who have compounding hazards or require access to special equipment.  (See ANSI/ISEA 107)

(5) Type R HVSA.  “Roadway use” apparel that provides daytime and nighttime visual conspicuity enhancement for workers in occupational environments that include exposure to traffic from public access highway rights-of-way or roadway temporary
    traffic control zones, or from work vehicles and construction equipment within a roadway temporary traffic control zone.  (See ANSI/ISEA 107)

n.  Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH).  An atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.  IDLH values are often used to guide the selection of breathing apparatus made available to workers or firefighters in specific situations.  (5-2.n)

o.  Impulse Noise.  The pressure-time history of a single impulse includes a rise of 40 dB or more in 1 second or faster to a peak pressure, followed by a somewhat slower decay of the pressure envelope to ambient pressure, both occurring within 1 second. When the intervals between impulses are less than 500 milliseconds, the noise is considered continuous, except for short bursts of automatic weapons fire, which are considered impulse noise.  (5-2.o)

p.  Negative Pressure Respirator/Tight-Fitting Facepiece Respirator.  A respirator in which the air pressure inside the facepiece is negative during inhalation with respect to the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.  (5-2.p)

q.  Ototoxic Chemicals.  An agent known to have adverse effects on organs or nerves involved in hearing or balance and may be physical (for example, noise), biological, or chemical. Examples include arsenic, carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide (CO), cyanide, lead and derivatives, manganese, mercury and derivatives, n-hexane, Stoddard solvent, styrene, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene.  (5-2.q)

r.  Personal Flotation Device (PFD).  A piece of equipment designed to assist a wearer to keep afloat in water.  The wearer may be either conscious or unconscious. Commonly referred to as a life jacket, life preserver, life belt, Mae West, life vest, life saver.  (5-2.r)

s.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  Any equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illness.  (5-2.s)

t.  Physician or Other Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP).  A physician or other licensed health care professional is an individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (that is, license, registration, or certification) allows him or her to independently perform, or be delegated the responsibility to perform, the activities of a physician.  (5-
2.t)
u.  Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT).  A pass/fail fit test to assess the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on the individual's response to the test agent. (5-2.u)

v.  Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT).  An assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.  (5-2.v)

w.  Radiant Energy. The energy of electromagnetic waves produced by movement of molecules excited by the heat of an electric arc, gas flame, or the passage of electric current. Includes ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared energy.  (5-2.w)

x.  Sound-Pressure.  Steady state sound that does not significantly change in intensity or frequency with time.  (5-2.x)

y.  Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) or Airline Respirator.  An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user. (5-2.y)

z.  Threshold Limit Values (TLV).  Airborne concentrations of chemical substances and represent concentrations under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, over a working lifetime, without adverse health effects.  (5-2.z)

aa. Vessel. Every type of watercraft or artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water, including special-purpose floating structures not primarily designed for or used as a means of transportation on water.  (5-2.aa)

bb.  Wildland Fire. A planned or unplanned fire involving wildland fuels.  (5-2.bb)