Personal protective equipment function

Total enclosure may be in the form of a room with grilles to facilitate air flow this functions as a hood and operates under a slight negative pressure with controls located externally. Entry is restricted and usually entails use of comprehensive personal protective equipment. Ancillary requirements may include air filters/scmbbers, atmospheric monitoring, decontamination procedures and a permit-to-work system (see page 417). 

The chemical and physical compatibility of decontamination solutions or other decontamination materials must be determined before use. Any decontamination method that permeates, degrades, damages, or otherwise impairs the functioning of the personal protective equipment (PPE) is incompatible with such PPE and should not be used. If a decontamination method does pose a direct health hazard, measures must be taken to protect both decontamination personnel and the workers being decontaminated. Figure 16.22 presents a decision aid for the evaluation of health and safety aspects of decontamination methods. 

Workers exposed to butter yellow should wear personal protective equipment and their work should be carried out only in restricted areas. Technical measures should prevent any contact with the skin and mucous membranes. After use, clothing and equipment should be placed in an impervious container for decontamination or disposal. Preemployment and periodic medical examination should focus on liver function. 

Hazard communication and personal protective equipment and emergency procedures training are addressed in Chapter 4. As with conventional warehouse operations, employees should be trained in safe lift truck operations, lifting and other procedures which are not specific to chemical warehouse operations. However, in a chemical warehouse, instructions on these routine functions should be tailored to address the unique hazards present in the chemical warehouse environment. 

Additional examinations that are independent of medical surveillance will be required. These include fitness evaluations for personal protective equipment and evaluation of a potential worker s ability to meet the functional requirements of the job. 

Just as your employees need the right hammer or wrench to do their jobs successfully from an operational prospective, it is essential that the safety and health professional properly equip your employees with the essential tools and knowledge in safety and health function. Employees should be equipped with not only the tools but also the reason why the particular tool is to be utilized in a particular job or circumstance as well as the underlying safeguards the particular tool provides to the individual employee. For safety and health professionals, it is relatively simple to provide the safeguard, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), and inform the employee he or she is required to wear the PPE. However, if the employee possesses a voice in the PPE selection process, fully understands the reason for the PPE as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the PPE, there is a substantial likelihood that the employee will wear and appreciate the PPE in the workplace. 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is last in the hierarchy of hazard control. PPE is less desirable than engineering and administrative controls for the control of hazards but is still critical. The appropriate PPE fitted correctly is a reliable barrier against known hazards. The biggest drawback against PPE is that some workers are careless about their selection of PPE for a job and choose ineffective PPE or they do not ensure that it is properly fitted and used. The function of PPE is to protect the user s entire body, including the respiratory system, eyes, hearing, head, hands, etc. 

A permit system requires a special document (permit), which acts like a checklist, to be filled out. Usually, the work involves some type of hazard. Personnel involved in the hazardous work must fill out a permit and the permit must be inspected and verified as complete before work can begin. The function of the permit system is to force personnel involved in a hazardous task to take the time to review all the steps, the personal protection equipment (PPE) required, the type of hazard(s) expected, and equipment required to perform the task safely. The permit system also temporarily transfers custody of a piece of equipment. As an example, a unit has a failed pump that must be repaired. This will require the pump to be removed from the process unit and taken to maintenance repair shop for repairs. The permit system places responsibilities on the issuer of the permit (operators) and the recipient of the permit (maintenance personnel). In essence, a permit system is an extra step in the direction of safety and accident prevention. Some of the more common permits are ... 

Know how to implement the employer s emergency response plan Possess the ability to function in an assigned role in the incident command system Know how to select and use proper specialized chemical personal protective equipment Understand hazard and risk assessment techniques Perform advance control, containment, and/or confinement operations Understand and implement decontamination Understand termination procedures... 

Inspection User acceptance and use of personal protective equipment are essential for equipment performance. Other factors, such as regular inspection for condition and function, help achieve performance. There should be a management plan and process to track inspection and condition of all personal protective equipment. 

OSHA also requires the provision, use, and maintenance of personal protective equipment when there is an exposure to hazardous conditions that could cause injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation, or physical contact. This includes the need to use gloves, gowns, masks, eye protectors, and/or resuscitation equipment when appropriate for rendering first aid or other medical assistance to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. 

Acquisition of buy-in to the concepts of safety and health at all levels is often a challenging process due to the varying priorities at each level within the hierarchy. At the top level of many organizations, the buy-in education often entails more of a financially based concept identifying the costs, return on investment, and manpower requirements. At the mid or managerial level, the buy-in education is more centrally focused on job function, time requirements, and additional duties. At the employee level, the education often focuses on job function, safety and health being everyone s job, safety of fellow employees, personal protective equipment (PPE), and more basic safety and health issues. 

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