Personal Protective Equipment
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA 3151-12R
2003
This informational booklet provides a general overview of a particular topic related to OSHA standards. It does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, you should consult current OSHA administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the Courts for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements.
This publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially, without permission. Source credit is requested but not required.
This information is available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
Contents
Introduction
The Requirement for PPE
The Hazard Assessment
Selecting PPE
Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE
Eye and Face Protection
Prescription Lenses
Eye Protection for Exposed Workers
Types of Eye Protection
Welding Operations
Laser Operations
Head Protection
Types of Hard Hats
Size and Care Considerations
Foot and Leg Protection
Special Purpose Shoes
Foundry Shoes
Care of Protective Footwear
Hand and Arm Protection
Types of Protective Gloves
Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves
Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves
Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves
Care of Protective Gloves
Body Protection
Hearing Protection
OSHA Assistance
Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines
State Programs
Consultation Services
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)
Strategic Partnership Program
Alliance Programs
OSHA Training and Education
Information Available Electronically
OSHA Publications
Contacting OSHA
OSHA Regional Offices
List of Tables
Table 1:
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Table 2:
Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade Numbers for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Table 3:
Selecting Laser Safety Glass
Table 4:
Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves
Table 5:
Permissible Noise Exposures
Appendix A: OSHA Standards that Require PPE
Introduction
Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad of other potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury.
Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions, OSHA recommends the use of engineering or work practice controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent possible. For example, building a barrier between the hazard and the employees is an engineering control; changing the way in which employees perform their work is a work practice control.
When engineering, work practice and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure its use. Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards. Examples of PPE include such items as gloves, foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (earplugs, muffs) hard hats, respirators and full body suits.
This guide will help both employers and employees do the following:
- Understand the types of PPE.
- Know the basics of conducting a "hazard assessment" of the workplace.
- Select appropriate PPE for a variety of circumstances.
- Understand what kind of training is needed in the proper use and care of PPE.
This guide does not address PPE requirements related to respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134) as this information is covered in detail in OSHA Publication 3079, "Respiratory Protection". There is a brief discussion of hearing protection in this publication but users should refer to OSHA Publication 3074, "Hearing Conservation" for more detailed information on the requirements to protect employees' hearing in the workplace.
The Requirement for PPE
To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful work environment.
In general, employers are responsible for:
- Performing a "hazard assessment" of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards.
- Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.
- Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.
- Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.
- Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program.
- Properly wear PPE,
- Attend training sessions on PPE,
- Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and
- Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.
The Hazard Assessment
A first critical step in developing a comprehensive safety and health program is to identify physical and health hazards in the workplace. This process is known as a "hazard assessment." Potential hazards may be physical or health-related and a comprehensive hazard assessment should identify hazards in both categories. Examples of physical hazards include moving objects, fluctuating temperatures, high intensity lighting, rolling or pinching objects, electrical connections and sharp edges. Examples of health hazards include overexposure to harmful dusts, chemicals or radiation.
The hazard assessment should begin with a walk-through survey of the facility to develop a list of potential hazards in the following basic hazard categories:
- Impact,
- Penetration,
- Compression (roll-over),
- Chemical,
- Heat/cold,
- Harmful dust,
- Light (optical) radiation, and
- Biologic.
- Sources of electricity.
- Sources of motion such as machines or processes where movement may exist that could result in an impact between personnel and equipment.
- Sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye injuries or fire.
- Types of chemicals used in the workplace.
- Sources of harmful dusts.
- Sources of light radiation, such as welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, heat treating, high intensity lights, etc.
- The potential for falling or dropping objects.
- Sharp objects that could poke, cut, stab or puncture.
- Biologic hazards such as blood or other potentially infected material.
The workplace should be periodically reassessed for any changes in conditions, equipment or operating procedures that could affect occupational hazards. This periodic reassessment should also include a review of injury and illness records to spot any trends or areas of concern and taking appropriate corrective action. The suitability of existing PPE, including an evaluation of its condition and age, should be included in the reassessment.
Documentation of the hazard assessment is required through a written certification that includes the following information:
- Identification of the workplace evaluated;
- Name of the person conducting the assessment;
- Date of the assessment; and
- Identification of the document certifying completion of the hazard assessment.
Selecting PPE
All PPE clothing and equipment should be of safe design and construction, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. Employers should take the fit and comfort of PPE into consideration when selecting appropriate items for their workplace. PPE that fits well and is comfortable to wear will encourage employee use of PPE. Most protective devices are available in multiple sizes and care should be taken to select the proper size for each employee. If several different types of PPE are worn together, make sure they are compatible. If PPE does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. It may not provide the level of protection desired and may discourage employee use.
OSHA requires that many categories of PPE meet or be equivalent to standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI has been preparing safety standards since the 1920s, when the first safety standard was approved to protect the heads and eyes of industrial workers. Employers who need to provide PPE in the categories listed below must make certain that any new equipment procured meets the cited ANSI standard. Existing PPE stocks must meet the ANSI standard in effect at the time of its manufacture or provide protection equivalent to PPE manufactured to the ANSI criteria. Employers should inform employees who provide their own PPE of the employer's selection decisions and ensure that any employee-owned PPE used in the workplace conforms to the employer's criteria, based on the hazard assessment, OSHA requirements and ANSI standards. OSHA requires PPE to meet the following ANSI standards:
- Eye and Face Protection: ANSI Z87.1-1989 (USA Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection).
- Head Protection: ANSI Z89.1-1986.
- Foot Protection: ANSI Z41.1-1991.
Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE
Employers are required to train each employee who must use PPE. Employees must be trained to know at least the following:
- When PPE is necessary.
- What PPE is necessary.
- How to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear the PPE.
- The limitations of the PPE.
- Proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE.
The employer must document the training of each employee required to wear or use PPE by preparing a certification containing the name of each employee trained, the date of training and a clear identification of the subject of the certification.
Eye and Face Protection
Employees can be exposed to a large number of hazards that pose danger to their eyes and face. OSHA requires employers to ensure that employees have appropriate eye or face protection if they are exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, potentially infected material or potentially harmful light radiation.
Many occupational eye injuries occur because workers are not wearing any eye protection while others result from wearing improper or poorly fitting eye protection. Employers must be sure that their employees wear appropriate eye and face protection and that the selected form of protection is appropriate to the work being performed and properly fits each worker exposed to the hazard.
Prescription Lenses
Everyday use of prescription corrective lenses will not provide adequate protection against most occupational eye and face hazards, so employers must make sure that employees with corrective lenses either wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription into the design or wear additional eye protection over their prescription lenses. It is important to ensure that the protective eyewear does not disturb the proper positioning of the prescription lenses so that the employee's vision will not be inhibited or limited. Also, employees who wear contact lenses must wear eye or face PPE when working in hazardous conditions.
Eye Protection for Exposed Workers
OSHA suggests that eye protection be routinely considered for use by carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics, millwrights, plumbers and pipefitters, sheetmetal workers and tinsmiths, assemblers, sanders, grinding machine operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, chemical process operators and handlers, and timber cutting and logging workers. Employers of workers in other job categories should decide whether there is a need for eye and face PPE through a hazard assessment.
Examples of potential eye or face injuries include:
- Dust, dirt, metal or wood chips entering the eye from activities such as chipping, grinding, sawing, hammering, the use of power tools or even strong wind forces.
- Chemical splashes from corrosive substances, hot liquids, solvents or other hazardous solutions.
- Objects swinging into the eye or face, such as tree limbs, chains, tools or ropes.
- Radiant energy from welding, harmful rays from the use of lasers or other radiant light (as well as heat, glare, sparks, splash and flying particles).
Selecting the most suitable eye and face protection for employees should take into consideration the following elements:
- Ability to protect against specific workplace hazards.
- Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.
- Should provide unrestricted vision and movement.
- Should be durable and cleanable.
- Should allow unrestricted functioning of any other required PPE.
An employer may choose to provide one pair of protective eyewear for each position rather than individual eyewear for each employee. If this is done, the employer must make sure that employees disinfect shared protective eyewear after each use. Protective eyewear with corrective lenses may only be used by the employee for whom the corrective prescription was issued and may not be shared among employees.
Some of the most common types of eye and face protection include the following:
- Safety spectacles. These protective eyeglasses have safety frames constructed of metal or plastic and impact-resistant lenses. Side shields are available on some models.
- Goggles. These are tight-fitting eye protection that completely cover the eyes, eye sockets and the facial area immediately surrounding the eyes and provide protection from impact, dust and splashes. Some goggles will fit over corrective lenses.
- Welding shields. Constructed of vulcanized fiber or fiberglass and fitted with a filtered lens, welding shields protect eyes from burns caused by infrared or intense radiant light; they also protect both the eyes and face from flying sparks, metal spatter and slag chips produced during welding, brazing, soldering and cutting operations. OSHA requires filter lenses to have a shade number appropriate to protect against the specific hazards of the work being performed in order to protect against harmful light radiation.
- Laser safety goggles. These specialty goggles protect against intense concentrations of light produced by lasers. The type of laser safety goggles an employer chooses will depend upon the equipment and operating conditions in the workplace.
- Face shields. These transparent sheets of plastic extend from the eyebrows to below the chin and across the entire width of the employee's head. Some are polarized for glare protection. Face shields protect against nuisance dusts and potential splashes or sprays of hazardous liquids but will not provide adequate protection against impact hazards. Face shields used in combination with goggles or safety spectacles will provide additional protection against impact hazards.
Welding Operations
The intense light associated with welding operations can cause serious and sometimes permanent eye damage if operators do not wear proper eye protection. The intensity of light or radiant energy produced by welding, cutting or brazing operations varies according to a number of factors including the task producing the light, the electrode size and the arc current. The following table shows the minimum protective shades for a variety of welding, cutting and brazing operations in general industry and in the shipbuilding industry.
Table 1
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
| Operations | Electrode size in 1/32" (0.8mm) | Arc current | Minimum* protective shade |
| Shielded metal arc welding | < 3 3 - 5 5 - 8 > 8 | < 60 60 - 160 160 - 250 250 - 550 | 7 8 10 11 |
| Gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding | < 60 60 - 160 160 - 250 250 - 500 | 7 10 10 10 | |
| Gas tungsten arc welding | < 50 50 - 150 150 - 500 | 8 8 10 | |
| Air carbon | (light) | < 500 | 10 |
| Arc cutting | (heavy) | 500 - 1,000 | 11 |
| Plasma arc welding | < 20 20 - 100 100 - 400 400 - 800 | 6 8 10 11 | |
| Plasma arc cutting | (light)** (medium)** (heavy)** | < 300 300 - 400 400 - 800 | 8 9 10 |
| Torch brazing | 3 | ||
| Torch soldering | 2 | ||
| Carbon arc welding | 14 | ||
Table 1
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
| Operations | Plate thickness inches | Plate thickness mm | Minimum* protective shade |
| Gas welding: Light | < 1/8 | < 3.2 | 4 |
| Gas welding: Medium | 1/8 - 1/2 | 3.2 - 12.7 | 5 |
| Gas welding: Heavy | > 1/2 | > 12.7 | 6 |
| Oxygen cutting: Light | < 1 | < 25 | 3 |
| Oxygen cutting: Medium | 1 - 6 | 25 - 150 | 4 |
| Oxygen cutting: Heavy | > 6 | > 150 | 5 |
* As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. 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.
The construction industry has separate requirements for filter lens protective levels for specific types of welding operations, as indicated in the table below:
Table 2
Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade
Numbers for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade
Numbers for Protection Against Radiant Energy
| Welding Operation | Shade Number |
| Shielded metal-arc welding 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes | 10 |
| Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous) 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes | 11 |
| Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous) 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes | 12 |
| Shielded metal-arc welding 3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-inch diameter electrodes | 12 |
| 5/16-, 3/8-inch diameter electrodes | 14 |
| Atomic hydrogen welding | 10 - 14 |
| Carbon-arc welding | 14 |
| Soldering | 2 |
| Torch brazing | 3 or 4 |
| Light cutting, up to 1 inch | 3 or 4 |
| Medium cutting, 1 to 6 inches | 4 or 5 |
| Heavy cutting, more than 6 inches | 5 or 6 |
| Gas welding (light), up to 1/8-inch | 4 or 5 |
| Gas welding (medium), 1/8- to 1/2-inch | 5 or 6 |
| Gas welding (heavy), more than 1/2-inch | 6 or 8 |
Source: 29 CFR 1926.102(b)(1).
Laser Operations
Laser light radiation can be extremely dangerous to the unprotected eye and direct or reflected beams can cause permanent eye damage. Laser retinal burns can be painless, so it is essential that all personnel in or around laser operations wear appropriate eye protection.
Laser safety goggles should protect for the specific wavelength of the laser and must be of sufficient optical density for the energy involved. Safety goggles intended for use with laser beams must be labeled with the laser wavelengths for which they are intended to be used, the optical density of those wavelengths and the visible light transmission.
The table below lists maximum power or energy densities and appropriate protection levels for optical densities 5 through 8.
Table 3
Selecting Laser Safety Glass
Selecting Laser Safety Glass
| Intensity, CW maximum power density (watts/cm2) | Attenuation | |
| Optical density (O.D.) | Attenuation factor | |
| 10-2 | 5 | 105 |
| 10-1 | 6 | 106 |
| 1.0 | 7 | 107 |
| 10.0 | 8 | 108 |
Head Protection
Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key element of any safety program. A head injury can impair an employee for life or it can be fatal. Wearing a safety helmet or hard hat is one of the easiest ways to protect an employee's head from injury. Hard hats can protect employees from impact and penetration hazards as well as from electrical shock and burn hazards.
Employers must ensure that their employees wear head protection if any of the following apply:
- Objects might fall from above and strike them on the head;
- They might bump their heads against fixed objects, such as exposed pipes or beams; or
- There is a possibility of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.
In general, protective helmets or hard hats should do the following:
- Resist penetration by objects.
- Absorb the shock of a blow.
- Be water-resistant and slow burning.
- Have clear instructions explaining proper adjustment and replacement of the suspension and headband.
Protective headgear must meet ANSI Standard Z89.1-1986 (Protective Headgear for Industrial Workers) or provide an equivalent level of protection. Helmets purchased before July 5, 1994 must comply with the earlier ANSI Standard (Z89.1-1969) or provide equivalent protection.
Types of Hard Hats
There are many types of hard hats available in the marketplace today. In addition to selecting protective headgear that meets ANSI standard requirements, employers should ensure that employees wear hard hats that provide appropriate protection against potential workplace hazards. It is important for employers to understand all potential hazards when making this selection, including electrical hazards. This can be done through a comprehensive hazard analysis and an awareness of the different types of protective headgear available.
Hard hats are divided into three industrial classes:
- Class A hard hats provide impact and penetration resistance along with limited voltage protection (up to 2,200 volts).
- Class B hard hats provide the highest level of protection against electrical hazards, with high-voltage shock and burn protection (up to 20,000 volts). They also provide protection from impact and penetration hazards by flying/falling objects.
- Class C hard hats provide lightweight comfort and impact protection but offer no protection from electrical hazards.
Size and Care Considerations
Head protection that is either too large or too small is inappropriate for use, even if it meets all other requirements. Protective headgear must fit appropriately on the body and for the head size of each individual. Most protective headgear comes in a variety of sizes with adjustable headbands to ensure a proper fit (many adjust in 1/8-inch increments). A proper fit should allow sufficient clearance between the shell and the suspension system for ventilation and distribution of an impact. The hat should not bind, slip, fall off or irritate the skin.
Some protective headgear allows for the use of various accessories to help employees deal with changing environmental conditions, such as slots for earmuffs, safety glasses, face shields and mounted lights. Optional brims may provide additional protection from the sun and some hats have channels that guide rainwater away from the face. Protective headgear accessories must not compromise the safety elements of the equipment.
Periodic cleaning and inspection will extend the useful life of protective headgear. A daily inspection of the hard hat shell, suspension system and other accessories for holes, cracks, tears or other damage that might compromise the protective value of the hat is essential. Paints, paint thinners and some cleaning agents can weaken the shells of hard hats and may eliminate electrical resistance. Consult the helmet manufacturer for information on the effects of paint and cleaning materials on their hard hats. Never drill holes, paint or apply labels to protective headgear as this may reduce the integrity of the protection. Do not store protective headgear in direct sunlight, such as on the rear window shelf of a car, since sunlight and extreme heat can damage them.
Hard hats with any of the following defects should be removed from service and replaced:
- Perforation, cracking, or deformity of the brim or shell;
- Indication of exposure of the brim or shell to heat, chemicals or ultraviolet light and other radiation (in addition to a loss of surface gloss, such signs include chalking or flaking).
Foot and Leg Protection
Employees who face possible foot or leg injuries from falling or rolling objects or from crushing or penetrating materials should
wear protective footwear. Also, employees whose work involves exposure to hot substances or corrosive or poisonous materials must have protective gear to cover exposed body parts, including legs and feet. If an employee's feet may be exposed to electrical hazards, non-conductive footwear should be worn. On the other hand, workplace exposure to static electricity may necessitate the use of conductive footwear.
Examples of situations in which an employee should wear foot and/or leg protection include:
- When heavy objects such as barrels or tools might roll onto or fall on the employee's feet;
Working with sharp objects such as nails or spikes that could pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary shoes;
Exposure to molten metal that might splash on feet or legs;
Working on or around hot, wet or slippery surfaces; and - Working when electrical hazards are present.
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