510 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 1-8

Sections

5-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

Employer Responsibilities

Conduct a hazard evaluation of the workplace and activities to identify potential hazards and choose appropriate controls, involving SOH personnel or CPs for input.
Use PPE when hazards cannot be controlled adequately through other higher level controls. Document and communicate the decision to employees, and specify necessary PPE in AHAs and PHAs.
Provide the required PPE and ensure it meets safety standards. Accommodate employees' religious beliefs, but require PPE use when necessary for protection.

Employee Duties

Use all PPE and safety equipment as directed by the employer and the manual.

Respiratory Protection Roles

(USACE) Command SOHO: Designate an RPPA in writing, who possesses the necessary technical qualifications and authority to develop, implement, and update the Respiratory Protection Program (RPP).
(USACE) RPPM: Administer the RPP with support from the RPPA and command SOHO. Each command organization requiring an RPP must assign an RPPM in writing.
RPPA/RPPM: Provide annual respirator use training, or more frequently if necessary, and develop annual training requirements with assistance from the district IH or RPPA.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-3. When should the employer provide PPE?

Always: in all task situations

If hazards cannot be controlled through higher level controls

Only if employees request it

When employee-owned PPE is available

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EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 5-4.

5-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

a.  Employer.  The employer is responsible for performing a hazard evaluation of the workplace and performed activities to identify associated hazards and applicable controls.  (5-4.a)

(1)  To properly identify and assess such hazards, obtain input from SOH personnel or other CPs to review the hazard evaluation and assist when selecting control measures.

(2)  When hazards are identified that cannot be eliminated and/or controlled to an acceptable level through higher level controls (see hazard mitigation in paras 1-6 or 2-6, as applicable), PPE may be required.  The decision to use PPE must be documented and communicated to each affected employee.  Identify necessary PPE for work activities in the applicable AHAs and PHAs. See chapters 1 or 2, as applicable, and paragraph 5-6.

(3)  Make all reasonable efforts to accommodate employees with religious beliefs that may conflict with determined PPE requirements.  However, when such efforts do not provide the necessary protection (that is, without PPE), require that the employee use the PPE or prohibit the employee from working in the area where the hazard requiring protection exists.

(4)  Provide the required PPE for employee use.  When employees provide their own PPE, ensure it is adequate to protect against the hazards, including it is properly maintained and sanitized.

b.  Employees.  Use all PPE and safety equipment as directed by the employer and this manual. (5-4.b)

c.  Respiratory Protection.  The following roles and responsibilities are specific to respiratory protection (that is, when respirators are required to be used):  (5-4.c)

(1)  (USACE) Command SOHO.  Identify and designate, in writing, an RPPA with the technical qualifications (see ER 385-1-90 Appendix E) and administrative authority to develop, implement, and update (as necessary) the district's Respiratory Protection Program (RPP).  The RPPA provides guidance and technical support to organizations responsible for developing and implementing RPPs.

(2)  (USACE) RPPM.  An RPPM must be assigned, in writing, by all command organizations requiring a RPP.  The RPPM administers the program with support of the RPPA and command SOHO.

(3)  RPPA/RPPM.  The RPPA/RPPM or their designee must provide respirator use training annually (or earlier if the requirements change significantly due to process changes or changes in site specific operations) to personnel using respirators at the facility or project.  (USACE) The RPPM must develop annual training requirements with help from the district IH or RPPA.