Employee involvement personal protective

NFPA 472, Chapters 11,12, and 13 29CFR1910.120(q)(4) 4.2.7 Skilled support personnel shall be given an initial briefing at the site before their participation in any emergency response. The initial briefing shall include instruction in the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment, what chemical hazards are involved, and what duties are to be performed. All other appropriate safety and health precautions provided to the employer s own employees shall be used to assure the safety and health of these personnel. 

Besides the above, machines have to be guarded, housekeeping kept intact, chemicals safely used and stored, personal protective equipment properly worn, and correct lighting and signage used. Employee involvement is also essential. 

Furthermore, whatever the particular safety process — management involvement, safety in the design stages, employee training, hazards communication, incident investigation, use of personal protective equipment, behavior modification, and so on—its fundamental purpose is to avoid, eliminate, or control hazards. 

The noise levels in most laboratories are usually not excessive, but there are laboratory facilities in which noise can reach levels forwhich hearing protection should be provided or the employees required to be involved in a hearing conservation program. It would be preferable, of course, if the noise levels could be lowered rather than to depend upon personal protective devices. 

Can hourly employees describe how management officials are involved in safety and health activities Do hourly employees perceive that managers and supervisors follow safety and health rules and work practices, such as wearing appropriate personal protective equipment ... 

A job safety assessment or analysis should be performed at the start of any task or operation. The designated competent or authorized person should evaluate the task or operation to identify potential hazards and determine the necessary controls. This assessment should focus on actual worksite conditions or procedures that differ from or were not anticipated in the related project or phase hazard analysis. In addition, the authorized person should ensure that each employee involved in the task or operation is aware of the hazards related to the task or operation and of the measures or procedures that workers and visitors must use to protect themselves. Note The job safety assessment is not intended to be a formal, documented analysis, but instead is more of a quick check of actual site conditions and a review of planned procedures and precautions. A more detailed explanation of job safety analysis is provided in Chapter 12. 

The employer is required to provide the responsible physician or other licensed health care professional and any specialists involved in a diagnosis with the following information a copy of the MC standard including relevant appendices, a description of the affected employee s duties as they relate to his or her exposure to MC an estimate of the employee s exposure including duration (e.g., 15hr/wk, three 8-hour shifts/wk, full time) a description of any personal protective equipment used by the employee, including respirators and the results of any previous medical determinations for the affected employee related to MC exposure to the extent that this information is within the employer s control. 

Employees should be encouraged to help in the enforcement of work rules and work practices. Your intent is not to turn your employees into informers, but to encourage them to keep an eye out for the safety of themselves and fellow workers. Many employers have encouraged an atmosphere where a successful safety culture exists by getting employees involved. In this type of situation, employees speak up when they see safety issues— for example, a co-worker who needs to be reminded to put on personal protective equipment [2]. In many cases, employees will discuss safety infractions with their co-workers. The key is to develop a culture where personal protective equipment is not the only safety infraction that is discussed. There are many more hazards that should be identified. 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be consistent with workplace hazard assessment. PPE can protect the employee against burns, absorption, abrasions, airborne hazards, punctures, or other hazards. In most cases, such equipment involves the use of gloves, goggles, laboratory coats, and protective shoes (Table 19.1). In each case, workers need to be trained regarding both the need for PPE as well as proper use. Damaged or defective PPE should never be used. 

Rescue and medical duties for those/any employees who are to carry them out. It is important to make sure that only those who have a detailed knowledge of the project layout and any processes involved are allowed to undertake rescue operations. These people should be in possession of current first-aid qualifications where possible, and be properly equipped with personal protective equipment so as to minimise the risks to themselves. 

The lead employee, or other appropriately qualified person, should supervise cleanup of the spill. The persons involved in this cleanup must be thoroughly trained, protected and supervised. Each person present should wear appropriate PPE, including respiratory equipment, if necessary. The spill should be approached from the edges only. At no time should any employee be allowed to work inside a spill area. Spilled material and any absorbents used should be transferred into properly identified containers using scoops and shovels. If spills create a fire or explosion hazard, only approved vacuums and other powered equipment... 

Prudent safety professionals should exercise caution at any time individual privacy issues are involved in any situation. Safety professionals should review any privacy issues with their human resources department or legal counsel before taking any action that may violate any of the protections provided to applicants or employees and their personal or medical information. 

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