At a glance
- OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.132 requires employers to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are presentor are likely to be presentwhich makes the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary.
- Examples of hazard types include chemicalradiologicalphysicalelectricalmechanicaland biological.
- PPE typically conforms to an established consensus standard or regulation detailing the level and type of protection provided and should be used as part of an occupational PPE program.
Overview
PPE is the fifth and final level within the hierarchy of controls to reduce or remove hazards. When engineering controls and administrative controls (including work practices) are not feasiblePPE is recommended. When employees use PPEemployers should implement a PPE program. While elements of the PPE program depend on the work process and the identified PPEthe program should include:
- Workplace hazards assessment
- PPE selection and use
- Inspection and replacement of damaged or worn-out PPE
- Employee training
- Program monitoring for continued effectiveness
Employers should not rely on PPE alone to control hazards when other effective control options are available. PPE can be effectivebut only when workers use it correctly and consistently.
When other control methods are unable to reduce the hazardous exposure to safe levelsemployers must provide PPE.
Types
Examples of PPE include:
- Respirators
- Firefighter turnout gear
- Surgical and other types of gowns used by healthcare workers
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection
- Hard hats
PPE standards
PPE typically conforms to an established consensus standard or regulation detailing the level and type of protection provided and should be used as part of an occupational PPE program. OSHA requires that many categories of PPE meet or be equivalent to standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)1.
The PPE-Info Database serves as a compendium of Federal regulations and consensus standards for PPE. Standards information was compiled from the U.S. GovernmentANSIaccredited standard development organizationsand International Organization for Standardizationwhen applicable.
Respirator approvals
When an employer determines that workers need respiratory protectionthe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the use of NIOSH Approved respirators. Workplaces covered under OSHA must also establish a complete respiratory protection program. OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.134 requires a respiratory protection program to include medical evaluationsfit testingand training.
- eCFR :: 42 CFR Part 84 -- Approval of Respiratory Protective Devices
- NIOSH Approved is a registered certification trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the United States and several other countries.