Books : Personal Protective Equipment : OSHA Regulations (Standards)

OSHA Regulations (Standards)

Part Number & Standard Number 29 CFR 1910.132

Title: General Requirements.

(a) Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices and protective shields and barriers shall be provided, used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards or mechanical irritants 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.

(b) Employee-owned equipment. Where employees provide their own protective equipment, the employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance and sanitation of such equipment.

(d) Hazard assessment and equipment selection.

(1) The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:

(i) Select and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;
(ii) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and,
(iii) Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.

Note:

Non-mandatory Appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.

(2) The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.

(e) Defective and damaged equipment. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

(f) Training.

(1) The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE. Each such employee shall be trained to know at least the following:

(i) When PPE is necessary;
(ii) What PPE is necessary;
(iii) How to properly don, doff, adjust and wear PPE;
(iv) The limitations of the PPE; and,
(v) The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE.

(2) Each affected employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section and the ability to use PPE properly before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE.

(3) When the employer has reason to believe that any affected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill required by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the employer shall retrain each such employee. Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not limited to, situations where:

(i) Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete; or
(ii) Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete; or
(iii) Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill.

(4) The employer shall verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of training and that identifies the subject of the certification.

Part Number & Standard Number 29 CFR 1910.133

Title: Eye and Face Protection.

(a) General requirements.

(1) Each affected employee shall use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.

(2) Each affected employee shall use eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on side shields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable.

(3) Each affected employee who wears prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards shall wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or shall wear eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses.

(4) Eye and face PPE shall be distinctly marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer.

(5) Each affected employee shall use equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation. The following is a listing of appropriate shade numbers for various operations.

Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Operations	Electrode Size (1/32-inch diameter standard)		Arc Current (Amps)		Minimum* Protective Shade
Shielded metal arc welding	Less than 3/32 3/32 - 5/32 5/32-8/32 More than 8/32		Less than 60 60-160 150-250 250-550		7 8 10 11
Gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding			Less than 60 60-160 150-250 250-550		7 10 10 10
Gas Tungsten arc welding			Less than 50 50-150 150-500		8 8 10
Air carbon Arc cutting	(light) (heavy)		Less than 500 500-1000		10 11
Plasma arc welding			Less than 20 20-100 100-400 400-800		6 8 10 11
Plasma arc cutting	(light) (medium) (heavy)**		Less than 300 300-400 400-800		8 9 10
Torch brazing			-		3
Torch soldering			-		2
Carbon arc welding			-		14
Plate Thickness
	inches	mm
Gas Welding: Light Medium Heavy	Less than 1/8 l/8 to l/2 More than 1/2	Less than 3.2 3.2 to 150 More than 12.7		4 5 6
Oxygen cutting: Light Medium Heavy	Less than 1 1 to 6 More than 6	Less than 25 25 to 150 More than 150		3 4 5

* As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone (the darkest lens carries a value of 10). Then go to a lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the (spectrum) operation.

**These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece.

(b) Criteria for protective eye and face devices.

(1) Protective eye and face devices purchased after July 5, 1994 shall comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989, "American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection," which is incorporated by reference, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the American National Standards Institute. Copies may be inspected at the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N2634, Washington, D.C. or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

(2) Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI "USA Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection," Z87.1-1968 or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be inspected at the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N2634, Washington, D.C. or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

Part Number & Standard Number 29 CFR 1910.135

Title: Head Protection.

(a) General requirements.

(1) Each affected employee shall wear a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.

(2) Protective helmets designed to reduce electrical shock hazard shall be worn by each such affected employee when near exposed electrical conductors which could contact the head.

(b) Criteria for protective helmets.

(1) Protective helmets purchased after July 5, 1994 shall comply with ANSI Z89.1-1986, "American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers-Requirements," which is incorporated by reference, or shall be demonstrated to be equally effective. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the American National Standards Institute. Copies may be inspected at the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N2634, Washington, D.C. or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

(2) Protective helmets purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI standard "American National Standard Safety Requirements for Industrial Head Protection," ANSI Z89.1-1969, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be inspected at the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N2634, Washington, D.C. or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

Part Number & Standard Number 29 CFR 1910.136

Title: Occupational Foot Protection.

(a) General requirements. Each affected employee shall wear protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.

(b) Criteria for protective footwear.

(1) Protective footwear purchased after July 5, 1994 shall comply with ANSI Z41-1991, "American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear," which is incorporated by reference, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the American National Standards Institute. Copies may be inspected at the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N2634, Washington, D.C. or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

(2) Protective footwear purchased before July 5, 1994 shall comply with the ANSI standard "USA Standard for Men's Safety-Toe Footwear," Z41.1-1967, which is incorporated by reference, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be inspected at the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N2634, Washington, D.C. or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

Part Number & Standard Number 29 CFR 1910.138

Title: Hand Protection.

(a) General requirements. Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.

(b) Selection. Employers shall base the selection of the appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s) to be performed, conditions present, duration of use and the hazards and potential hazards identified.

Part Number & Standard Number 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I Appendix B

Title: Non-mandatory Compliance Guidelines for Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment Selection.

This Appendix is intended to provide compliance assistance for employers and employees in implementing requirements for a hazard assessment and the selection of personal protective equipment.

1. Controlling hazards. PPE devices alone should not be relied on to provide protection against hazards, but should be used in conjunction with guards, engineering controls and sound manufacturing practices.

2. Assessment and selection. It is necessary to consider certain general guidelines for assessing the foot, head, eye and face and hand hazard situations that exist in an occupational or educational operation or process and to match the protective devices to the particular hazard. It should be the responsibility of the safety officer to exercise common sense and appropriate expertise to accomplish these tasks.

3. Assessment guidelines. In order to assess the need for PPE, the following steps should be taken:

a. Survey. Conduct a walk-through survey of the areas in question. The purpose of the survey is to identify sources of hazards to workers and co-workers. Consideration should be given to the basic hazard categories: (a) Impact; (b) Penetration; (c) Compression (roll-over); (d) Chemical; (e) Heat; (f) Harmful dust; (g) Light (optical) radiation.

b. Sources. During the walk-through survey, the safety officer should observe: (a) sources of motion; i.e., machinery or processes where any movement of tools, machine elements or particles could exist, or movement of personnel that could result in collision with stationary objects; (b) sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye injury or ignition of protective equipment, etc.; (c) types of chemical exposures; (d) sources of harmful dust; (e) sources of light radiation, i.e., welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, heat treating, high intensity lights, etc.; (f) sources of falling objects or potential for dropping objects; (g) sources of sharp objects which might pierce the feet or cut the hands; (h) sources of rolling or pinching objects which could crush the feet; (i) layout of workplace and location of co-workers; and (j) any electrical hazards. In addition, injury/accident data should be reviewed to help identify problem areas.

c. Organize data. Following the walk-through survey, it is necessary to organize the data and information for use in the assessment of hazards. The objective is to prepare for an analysis of the hazards in the environment to enable proper selection of protective equipment.

d. Analyze data. Having gathered and organized data on a workplace, an estimate of the potential for injuries should be made. Each of the basic hazards (paragraph 3.a.) should be reviewed and a determination made as to the type, level of risk and seriousness of potential injury from each of the hazards found in the area. The possibility of exposure to several hazards simultaneously should be considered.

4. Selection guidelines. After completion of the procedures in paragraph 3, the general procedure for selection of protective equipment is to: a) Become familiar with the potential hazards and the type of protective equipment that is available and what it can do; i.e., splash protection, impact protection, etc.; b) compare the hazards associated with the environment with the capabilities of the available protective equipment; i.e., impact velocities, masses, projectile shape, radiation intensities; c) select the protective equipment which ensures a level of protection greater than the minimum required to protect employees from the hazards; and d) fit the user with the protective device and give instructions on care and use of the PPE. It is very important that end users be made aware of all warning labels for and limitations of their PPE.

5. Fitting the device. Careful consideration must be given to comfort and fit. PPE that fits poorly will not afford the necessary protection. Continued wearing of the device is more likely if it fits the wearer comfortably. Protective devices are generally available in a variety of sizes. Care should be taken to ensure that the right size is selected.

6. Devices with adjustable features. Adjustments should be made on an individual basis for a comfortable fit that will maintain the protective device in the proper position. Particular care should be taken in fitting devices for eye protection against dust and chemical splash to ensure that the devices are sealed to the face. In addition, proper fitting of helmets is important to ensure that it will not fall off during work operations.

In some cases a chin strap may be necessary to keep the helmet on an employee's head. (Chin straps should break at a reasonably low force, however, so as to prevent a strangulation hazard). Where manufacturer's instructions are available, they should be followed carefully.

7. Reassessment of hazards. It is the responsibility of the safety officer to reassess the workplace hazard situation as necessary, by identifying and evaluating new equipment and processes, reviewing accident records and reevaluating the suitability of previously selected PPE.

8. Selection chart guidelines for eye and face protection. Some occupations (not a complete list) for which eye protection should be routinely considered are: carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics and repairers, millwrights, plumbers and pipe fitters, sheet metal workers and tinsmiths, assemblers, sanders, grinding machine operators, lathe and milling machine operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, chemical process operators and handlers and timber cutting and logging workers. The following chart provides general guidance for the proper selection of eye and face protection to protect against hazards associated with the listed hazard "source" operations.

Eye and Face Protection Selection Chart
Source	Assessment of Hazard	Protection
IMPACT - Chipping, grinding, machining, masonry work, woodworking, sawing, drilling, chiseling, powered fastening, riveting and sanding	Flying fragments, objects, large chips, particles, sand, dirt, etc....	Spectacles with side protection, goggles, face shields. See notes (1), (3), (5), (6), (10). For severe exposure, use face shield.
HEAT-Furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot dipping and welding.	Hot sparks ..... Splash from molten metals. High temperature exposure	Face shields, goggles, spectacles with side protection. See notes (1), (2), (3). Face shields worn over goggles. See notes (1), (2), (3). Screen face shields, reflective face shields. See notes (1), (2), (3).
CHEMICALS - Acid and chemical handling, degreasing, plating.	Splash Irritating mists	Goggles, eyecup and cover types. For severe exposure, use face shield. See notes (3), (11). Special-purpose goggles
DUST - Woodworking, buffing, general dusty conditions.	Nuisance dust	Goggles, eyecup and cover types. See note (8).
LIGHT and/or RADIATION - Welding: Electric arc Welding: Gas Cutting, Torch brazing, Torch soldering Glare	Optical radiation Optical radiation Optical radiation Poor vision	Welding helmets or welding shields. Typical shades: 10-14. See notes (9), (12). Welding goggles or welding face shield. Typical shades: gas welding 4-8; cutting 3-6; brazing 3-4. See note (9). Spectacles or welding face shield. Typical shades, 1.5-3. See notes (3), (9). Spectacles with shaded or special-purpose lenses, as suitable. See notes (9), (10).

_____________________________________________________

Notes to Eye and Face Protection Selection Chart:

(1) Care should be taken to recognize the possibility of multiple and simultaneous exposure to a variety of hazards. Adequate protection against the highest level of each of the hazards should be provided. Protective devices do not provide unlimited protection.

(2) Operations involving heat may also involve light radiation. As required by the standard, protection from both hazards must be provided.

(3) Face shields should only be worn over primary eye protection (spectacles or goggles).

(4) As required by the standard, filter lenses must meet the requirements for shade designations in 1910.133(a)(5). Tinted and shaded lenses are not filter lenses unless they are marked or identified as such.

(5) As required by the standard, persons whose vision requires the use of prescription (Rx) lenses must wear either protective devices fitted with prescription (Rx) lenses or protective devices designed to be worn over regular prescription (Rx) eyewear.

(6) Wearers of contact lenses must also wear appropriate eye and face protection devices in a hazardous environment. It should be recognized that dusty and/or chemical environments may represent an additional hazard to contact lens wearers.

(7) Caution should be exercised in the use of metal frame protective devices in electrical hazard areas.

(8) Atmospheric conditions and the restricted ventilation of the protector can cause lenses to fog. Frequent cleansing may be necessary.

(9) Welding helmets or face shields should be used only over primary eye protection (spectacles or goggles).

(10) Non-sideshield spectacles are available for frontal protection only, but are not acceptable eye protection for the sources and operations listed for "impact."

(11) Ventilation should be adequate but well protected from splash entry. Eye and face protection should be designed and used so that it provides both adequate ventilation and protects the wearer from splash entry.

(12) Protection from light radiation is directly related to filter lens density. See note (4). Select the darkest shade that allows task performance.

9. Selection guidelines for head protection. All head protection (helmets) is designed to provide protection from impact and penetration hazards caused by falling objects. Head protection is also available which provides protection from electric shock and burn. When selecting head protection, knowledge of potential electrical hazards is important. Class A helmets, in addition to impact and penetration resistance, provide electrical protection from low-voltage conductors (they are proof tested to 2,200 volts). Class B helmets, in addition to impact and penetration resistance, provide electrical protection from high-voltage conductors (they are proof tested to 20,000 volts). Class C helmets provide impact and penetration resistance (they are usually made of aluminum which conducts electricity) and should not be used around electrical hazards.

Where falling object hazards are present, helmets must be worn. Some examples include: working below other workers who are using tools and materials which could fall; working around or under conveyor belts which are carrying parts or materials; working below machinery or processes which might cause material or objects to fall; and working on exposed energized conductors. Some examples of occupations for which head protection should be routinely considered are: carpenters, electricians, linemen, mechanics and repairers, plumbers and pipe fitters, assemblers, packers, wrappers, sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, timber cutting and logging, stock handlers and warehouse laborers.

10. Selection guidelines for foot protection. Safety shoes and boots which meet the ANSI Z41-1991 standard provide both impact and compression protection. Where necessary, safety shoes can be obtained which provide puncture protection. In some work situations, metatarsal protection should be provided and in other special situations electrical conductive or insulating safety shoes would be appropriate.

Safety shoes or boots with impact protection would be required for carrying or handling materials such as packages, objects, parts or heavy tools which could be dropped and for other activities where objects might fall onto the feet. Safety shoes or boots with compression protection would be required for work activities involving skid trucks (manual material handling carts) around bulk rolls (such as paper rolls) and around heavy pipes, all of which could potentially roll over an employee's feet. Safety shoes or boots with puncture protection would be required where sharp objects such as nails, wire, tacks, screws, large staples, scrap metal etc. could be stepped on by employees causing a foot injury.

Some occupations (not a complete list) for which foot protection should be routinely considered are: shipping and receiving clerks, stock clerks, carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics and repairers, plumbers and pipe fitters, structural metal workers, assemblers, drywall installers and lathers, packers, wrappers, craters, punch and stamping press operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, gardeners and grounds keepers, timber cutting and logging workers, stock handlers and warehouse laborers.

11. Selection guidelines for hand protection. Gloves are often relied upon to prevent cuts, abrasions, burns and skin contact with chemicals that are capable of causing local or systemic effects following dermal exposure. OSHA is unaware of any gloves that provide protection against all potential hand hazards and commonly available glove materials provide only limited protection against many chemicals. Therefore, it is important to select the most appropriate glove for a particular application and to determine how long it can be worn and whether it can be reused.

It is also important to know the performance characteristics of gloves relative to the specific hazard anticipated; e.g., chemical hazards, cut hazards, flame hazards, etc. These performance characteristics should be assessed by using standard test procedures. Before purchasing gloves, the employer should request documentation from the manufacturer that the gloves meet the appropriate test standard(s) for the hazard(s) anticipated. Other factors to be considered for glove selection in general include:

(A) As long as the performance characteristics are acceptable, in certain circumstances, it may be more cost effective to regularly change cheaper gloves than to reuse more expensive types; and,

(B) The work activities of the employee should be studied to determine the degree of dexterity required, the duration, frequency and degree of exposure of the hazard and the physical stresses that will be applied.

With respect to selection of gloves for protection against chemical hazards:

(A) The toxic properties of the chemical(s) must be determined; in particular, the ability of the chemical to cause local effects on the skin and/or to pass through the skin and cause systemic effects;

(B) Generally, any "chemical resistant" glove can be used for dry powders;

(C) For mixtures and formulated products (unless specific test data are available), a glove should be selected on the basis of the chemical component with the shortest breakthrough time, since it is possible for solvents to carry active ingredients through polymeric materials; and,

(D) Employees must be able to remove the gloves in such a manner as to prevent skin contamination.

12. Cleaning and maintenance. It is important that all PPE be kept clean and properly maintained. Cleaning is particularly important for eye and face protection where dirty or fogged lenses could impair vision. For the purposes of compliance with 1910.132 (a) and (b), PPE should be inspected, cleaned and maintained at regular intervals so that the PPE provides the requisite protection. It is also important to ensure that contaminated PPE which cannot be decontaminated is disposed of in a manner that protects employees from exposure to hazards.

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