757 Laboratory Safety

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The employer must also ensure that PPE is used wherever hazards are encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

The types of hazards covered include:

• hazards of processes or environment
• chemical hazards
• radiological hazards
• mechanical irritants

In order to determine whether and what PPE is needed, the employer must assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE. Based on that assessment, the employer must select appropriate PPE that will protect the affected worker from the hazards and select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.

Employers must provide training for workers required to use PPE that addresses the following topics:

• When PPE is necessary
• What PPE is necessary
• How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
• The limitations of the PPE, and
• The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE

Although it's not required by OSHA, it's important to discuss "why" it is important to use specific PPE by emphasizing the consequences of improper use. Affected employees must also demonstrate an understanding of the training and ability to properly use specific PPE.

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