09 Mar Use It or Lose It: The Importance of PPE
It only takes a second to decide to use it, or lose it.
You can replace a glove, safety glasses or any other piece of equipment, but we cannot replace you. Because accidents occur in a split second, personal protective equipment could potentially save your life.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect you from hazards in the workplace.
They are worn to minimize exposure to risks and are designed to protect you where you are vulnerable – eyes, hands, and feet.
Hazards in the workplace can be physical, electrical, heat, chemical or a combination of these or other hazards.
The protective clothing should be chosen for the specific work activity and can include: helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection.
Personal Protective Equipment Program
An employer is required to train each worker that is required to use personal protective equipment to know:
- When it is necessary
- What kind is necessary
- How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off
- The limitations of the equipment
- Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment
If PPE is used in the workplace, a PPE program should be implemented.
The program should address the potential workplace hazards, the selection, maintenance and use of PPE, the training of employees, and continuous monitoring of the program to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.
To learn the general requirements, visit OSHA’s website and view the guidelines on personal protective equipment (PPE).
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