638 Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

While engineering and administrative controls are considered more effective in minimizing exposure to viruses, PPE may also be needed to prevent certain exposures. While correctly using PPE can help prevent some exposures, it should not take the place of other prevention strategies.

Examples of PPE include: gloves, goggles, face shields, and respiratory facepieces. Don't think of face masks as PPE because they are used to primarily protect others, not the user. During an outbreak of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, recommendations for PPE specific to occupations or job tasks may change depending on:

• geographic location, updated risk assessments for workers, and
• information on PPE effectiveness in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Employers should check the OSHA and CDC websites regularly for updates about recommended PPE.

Employers are obligated to pay for and provide their workers with PPE needed to keep them safe while performing their jobs. The types of PPE required during an outbreak will be based on the risk of being infected while working and job tasks that may lead to exposure.

All types of PPE must be:

• Selected based upon the hazard to the worker.
• Properly fitted and periodically refitted, as applicable (e.g., respirators).
• Consistently and properly worn when required.
• Regularly inspected, maintained, and replaced, as necessary.
• Properly removed, cleaned, and stored or disposed of, as applicable, to avoid contamination of self, others, or the environment.

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