1/21/2016

DesigninganEffectivePPEProgram:OSHAnswers

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DesigninganEffectivePPEProgram
CLOSEALL

Whatispersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)?
PPEisequipmentwornbyaworkertominimizeexposuretospecificoccupational
hazards.ExamplesofPPEincluderespirators,gloves,aprons,fallprotection,andfull
bodysuits,aswellashead,eyeandfootprotection.UsingPPEisonlyoneelement
inacompletesafetyprogramthatwoulduseavarietyofstrategiestomaintainasafe
andhealthyoccupationalenvironment.PPEdoesnotreducethehazarditselfnor
doesitguaranteepermanentortotalprotection.

Whatistheroleofpersonalprotectiveequipment
(PPE)?
Hazardsexistineveryworkplacesostrategiestoprotectworkersareessential.The
priorityshouldbetheeliminationandcontrolofhazardsattheirsourceoralongthe
pathbetweenthesourceandtheworker.Manymethodsareavailable,andthose
mostappropriatetothespecificsituationshouldbeused.
Controllingahazardatitssourceshouldbethefirstchoicebecausethismethodwill
eliminateitfromtheworkplacealtogetherorisolateitfromtheworker.Thisapproach
mayrequiresubstitutionofamaterialwithnonhazardousones,isolationofhazards,
additionofsafetyfeaturestoexistingequipment,redesignoftheworkprocesses,or
purchaseofnewequipment.Whenthehazardcannotberemovedorcontrolled
adequately,PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE)maybeusediftheworkprocess
istocontinue.
PPEshouldbeconsideredasthelastlevelofprotectionwhenallothermethodsare
notavailableorpossible.SeetheOSHAnswersdocumentHazardControl
(http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hazard_control.html)forinformation
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onahazardcontrolprogram.

HowdoIbeginplanningaprotectionstrategy?
BeforeanydecisionismadetobeginortoexpandaPPEprogram,itisimportantto
understandtheunderlyingprinciplesofprotectionstrategies.
Therearethreeelementsthatmustbeconsidered:
protectionofworkers
compliancewithapplicablelaws/regulationsandinternalcompanystandards
technicalfeasibility
Inpractice,onlyafewstrategiesareavailable.Theseinclude:
engineeringcontrols
materialsubstitution
processchange
revisedworkpractices
equipmentchange
administrativecontrols
useofpersonalprotectiveequipment
Agoodcomprehensivestrategyconsidersthehazards,evaluatesallpossiblecontrol
methods,integratesvariousapproaches,andreexaminesthemfrequentlytoensure
asafeworkoperation.Itdoesthesethingsbyrequiringthatconsciousdecision
making,evaluation,andreevaluationbedoneatvariousstagesthroughoutthe
program.

Whenisthebesttimetoprovideprotectionfrom
hazards?
Whenhazardsareidentified,itisusefultoconsidergeneralprinciplesofcontrol,
whichcanbethoughtofastwobasiccategories:"precontact"or"pointofcontact."

Precontact
Precontactcontrolisthefirstandmostimportantmethodbecauseitpreventsthe
hazardfromreachingtheworker.Precontactcontrolmethodsincludesubstituting
materialsorprocessesthatarelesshazardous,isolatinghazardousprocesses,
retrofittingexistingequipment,oracquiringsaferequipment.Precontactcontrolcan
alsobeachievedbyprovidingprotectiontotheworkerwithlocalexhaustventilation,
machineguarding,betterhousekeeping,andsafeworkpractices.ManyCanadian
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jurisdictionslegislateprecontactcontrols.Whilemanyhazardscanbeanticipated
andavoidedthrougheffectiveengineeringattheprecontactstage,othersmaynot
berecognizedbeforeanaccidentoccurs.Athoroughefforttoidentifyhazardsis
essentialsothathazardsmaybereducedoreliminatedatthesource.
Whereprecontactcontrolsarenotpractical,feasible,ortotallyeffectivethenpoint
ofcontactcontrolsmustbeused.

Pointofcontact
Thepointofcontactcontrolisimportantbutsecondarybecauseitcannoteliminate
thehazard.Itonlymanagesthehazardatthepointofcontactwiththeworker.This
formofcontrolisprimarilyaccomplishedthroughpersonalprotectiveequipment.Itis
tobeusedwhenprecontactcontrolsarenottotallyeffective.ManyCanadian
jurisdictionsalsolegislatepointofcontactcontrolmethods.

WhenshouldPPEbeused?
PPEisusedtoreduceorminimizetheexposureorcontacttoinjuriousphysical,
chemical,ergonomic,orbiologicalagents.AhazardcannotbeeliminatedbyPPE,
buttheriskofinjurycanbereduced.Forexample,wearinghearingprotection
reducesthelikelihoodofhearingdamagewhentheearplugsormuffsare
appropriateforthekindofnoiseexposureandtheyareusedproperly.However,
hearingprotectiondoesnoteliminatethenoise.
PPEshouldonlybeused:
asaninterim(shortterm)measurebeforecontrolsareimplemented
whereprecontactcontroltechnologyisnotavailable
whereprecontactcontrolsareinadequate
duringactivitiessuchasmaintenance,cleanup,andrepairwhereprecontact
controlsarenotfeasibleoreffective
duringemergencysituations.

HowdoIdesignaPPEprogram?
APPEprogrammustbecomprehensive.Itrequirescommitmentandactive
participationattheplanning,development,andimplementationstagesfromalllevels:
seniormanagement,supervisors,andworkers.AgoodPPEprogramconsistsof
theseessentialelements:
workplacesurvey
selectionofappropriatecontrols
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selectionofappropriatePPE
fitting
training
managementsupport
maintenance
auditingoftheprogram
Theorganization'soccupationalhealthandsafetypolicyshouldbeastatementof
principlesandgeneralruleswhichserveasguidestoaction.Seniormanagement
mustbecommittedtoensuringthatthepolicyandproceduresarecarriedout.PPE
programsmustbe,andmustbeseentohaveequalimportancewithallother
organizationalpolicies,procedures,andprograms.
Theappointmentofaprogramcoordinatorwillgoalongwaytoensuringthesuccess
ofaprogram.Thecoordinatorhastheresponsibilitytoensurethateachofthe
elementsofaprogramisinplaceandoperational.
Intheintroductoryphase,aprogrammustbeplannedcarefully,developedfullyand
implementedmethodically.Itshouldbeintroducedgraduallyandinphases.The
intentionshouldbestatedandtimeallowedforworkerstobecomeaccustomedto
wearingthePPE.Thebeneficialeffectsoftheprogramshouldbepublicizedwidely,
andthetargetdatesetwellaheadforcompliance.Timeshouldbeallowedfor
workerstocomplywiththeprogram,withnoenforcementactiontakenuntilthetarget
date.Aftertheprogramisintroduced,butonlyafteradequateconsultationswiththe
workersandtheirrepresentatives,theuseofPPEmaybecomearequiredcondition
ofemployment.
ItwouldnotbeacceptabletograduallyphaseinaPPEprogramwhenthereisa
needtoenterhazardousatmospheres,orwherefailuretousetheequipmentposesa
significantriskofmajorinjury.
Thegreatertheworkers'involvementinallstagesoftheprogram,thesmootherthe
programwillbetoimplementandoperate.UsersmustbetoldwhythePPEistobe
wornandtrainedhowtoproperlyuseit.Themethodofimplementationaffectsthe
acceptanceandeffectivenessofthewholeprogram.
Inaddition,workercompliancewiththePPEprogramislikelytobepoorifaPPE
deviceisunattractive,uncomfortable,orisimposedontheworkerwithlittlechoicein
theselection.
TheprotectionprovidedwillbedramaticallyreducedifworkersremovethePPEfor
evenshortperiodsoftime.ThelossofprotectionduringtheperiodswhenthePPEis
notwornmayeasilyoutweightheprotectionwhenitisused.

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Forexample,inordertogetfullbenefit,hearingprotectorsmustbewornallthetime
duringnoisywork.Ifhearingprotectorsareremovedonlyforashortduration,the
protectionissubstantiallyreduced.Thefollowingtablegivesamaximumprotection
providedfornoncontinuoususeofanideallyfitted"100%"efficienthearingprotector.
Forexampleifonetakesoffhis/herhearingprotectorfor5minina8hourshift,the
maximumprotectionwillbe20dB.
Table1
Maximumprotectionprovidedby
noncontinuoususeofHearingProtection
Percenttimeused MaximumProtection
50%
3dB
60%
70%
80%

4dB
5dB
7dB

90%
95%
99%

10dB
13dB
20dB

99.9%
30dB
EarprotectorsmustbeusedALLTHETIMEtogetfullbenefit.
Flexibilityinthechoiceofprotectiveequipmentisimportant(forexample,thechoice
betweenmorethanonerespiratorforpersonaluse)providedthatitconformsto
propersafetystandards.

WhyshouldIdoaworkplacesurveyfirst?
ThefirststepinthedevelopmentofaPPEprogramistoidentifytheparticular
hazardsattheworksite.Someofthesemaybeobvious,butanonsiteinspection
shouldstillbeperformed.Workpractices,jobprocedures,equipment,workplace
layout,andindividualfactorsmayplayadecidingroleinthetypeofcontrols
recommendedforacertainjob.Recognizingpotentialhazardsshouldinclude
reviewingthemanufacturingorotherprocesses,maintaininganinventoryofphysical
andchemicalagentsencounteredroutinelyorperiodically,examiningallthedifferent
jobactivitiesofaworkarea,andstudyingtheexistingcontrolmeasures.Everyeffort
shouldbemadetocontrolallhazards,wherepossible,atthesource.
Particularattentionshouldbepaidtojobrequirementsthatmayhaveimportant
consequencesforthePPEselectedbecausesometypesofhazardsrequiremultiple
PPEsolutions.Forexample,workingwithchlorinerequiresrespiratoryandeye
protectionbecausechlorineirritatesboththerespiratorysystemandthemucous

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membranesoftheeyes.ItisimportanttocontinuallyreviewMaterialSafetyData
Sheets(MSDSs)aspartoftheinspection,astheyindicatethetypesofhazards
associatedwithspecificmaterials.
Aworkplaceevaluationshouldinvolvethejointhealthandsafetycommitteeasan
integralpartofthesurveyteam.

WhatstepsareinvolvedintheselectionofPPE?
OncetheneedforPPEhasbeenestablished,thenexttaskistoselecttheproper
type.Twocriterianeedtobedetermined:
thedegreeofprotectionrequired,and
theappropriatenessoftheequipmenttothesituation(includingthepracticality
oftheequipmentbeingusedandkeptingoodrepair).
ThedegreeofprotectionandthedesignofPPEmustbeintegratedbecauseboth
affectitsoverallefficiency,wearability,andacceptance.
Thefollowingareguidelinesforselection:

a)MatchPPEtothehazard
TherearenoshortcutstoPPEselection.ChoosetherightPPEtomatchthehazard.
Onsomejobs,thesametaskisperformedthroughouttheentirejobcycle,soitis
easytoselectproperPPE.Inotherinstances,workersmaybeexposedtotwoor
moredifferenthazards.Aweldermayrequireprotectionagainstweldinggases,
harmfullightrays,moltenmetalandflyingchips.Insuchinstances,multiple
protectionisneeded:aweldinghelmet,weldersgogglesandtheappropriate
respirator,oranairsuppliedweldinghood.

b)Obtainadvice
Makedecisionsbasedonthoroughhazardevaluation,workeracceptance,andtypes
ofPPEavailable.OnceyouhavedeterminedyourPPEneeds,shoparound.Discuss
yourneedswithtrainedsalesrepresentativesthenaskfortheirrecommendations.
Alwaysaskforalternativesandcheckintoproductclaimsandtestdata.TryoutPPE
andtestittoseethatproductsmeetallofyourcriteriabeforeitisapproved.

c)Involveworkersinevaluations
Itisextremelyimportanttohavetheindividualworkerinvolvedintheselectionof
specificmodels.Thisassistanceinselectioncanbeachievedbyintroducing
approvedmodelsintotheworkplacefortrialsinwhichworkershavetheopportunity
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toevaluatevariousmodels.Inthisway,muchinformationregardingfit,comfort,and
workeracceptabilitywillbegained.WhenchoosingPPE,workersshouldselect
amongtwoorthreemodels,allowingforpersonalpreferences.PPEshouldbe
individuallyassigned.

d)ConsiderphysicalcomfortofPPE(ergonomics)
IfaPPEdeviceisunnecessarilyheavyorpoorlyfitteditisunlikelythatitwillbeworn.
NotealsothatifaPPEdeviceisunattractiveoruncomfortable,orthereisno
allowanceforworkerstochooseamongmodels,complianceislikelytobepoor.
WhenseveralformsofPPEareworntogether,interactionsmustbekeptinmind.
UseeveryopportunitytoprovideflexibilityinthechoiceofPPEaslongasitmeets
requiredlegislationandstandards.

e)Evaluatecostconsiderations
ThecostofPPEisoftenaconcern.Someprogramsusedisposablerespirators
becausetheyappeartobeinexpensive.Howeverwhentheuseisevaluatedover
time,itispossiblethatadualcartridgerespiratorwouldbemoreeconomical.
Engineeringcontrolsmightproveanevenmorecosteffectivesolutioninthelong
termandshouldbeconsideredbeforePPE.

f)Reviewstandards
Performancerequirementsofallstandardsmustbereviewedtoensurethat
exposuretoinjurywillbeminimizedoreliminatedbyusingPPE.IfPPEisexposedto
hazardsgreaterthanthoseforwhichitisdesigned,itwillnotdeliveradequate
protection.
InCanada,variousstandardsexistandthemostrecentshouldbeusedforguidance
intheselectionprocess.TwoofthemorecommonstandardsincludetheCanadian
StandardsAssociation(CSA)andtheBureaudenormalisationduQuebec(BNQ).
Forexample,theCSAStandardZ94.307"EyeandFaceProtectors"outlinestypes
ofeyeprotectorsrecommendedforparticularworkhazards.Itclassifieseye
protectionaccordingtothehazard.ItallowsthewidevarietyofPPEonthemarketto
beslottedintovariouscategories.Areviewoftheplantsurveyandthesecategories
willhelpinthechoiceofthepropereyeprotectionforeachspecificjobhazard.

g)Checkthefit
Whentheselectionhasbeenmade,the"fitting"componentshouldbeputinplace.
ThekeyistofiteachworkerwithPPEonanindividualbasis.Atthetimeoffitting,
showeachworkerhowtowearandmaintainPPEproperly.
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Individualfittingprogramsshouldbecarriedoutbyqualifiedpersonnel.Forexample,
foreyeprotectionthisqualifiedpersoncouldbeanoptometrist,anoptician,a
manufacturers'representativeoraspeciallytrainedstaffmember,suchasanurse.
Whensafetyglassessithalfwaydownthenose,protectionfromthehazardofflying
particlesisreduced,sometimestothepointwherenoprotectionisgiven.The
calculateddegreeofprotectionwillnotbeachievedinpracticeunlessthePPEis
wornproperlyatalltimeswhentheworkerisatrisk.

h)Performregularmaintenanceandinspections
Withoutpropermaintenance,theeffectivenessofPPEcannotbeassured.
Maintenanceshouldincludeinspection,care,cleaning,repair,andproperstorage.
Probablythemostimportantpartofmaintenanceistheneedforcontinuing
inspectionofthePPE.Ifcarefullyperformed,inspectionswillidentifydamagedor
malfunctioningPPEbeforeitisused.PPEthatisnotperforminguptomanufacturers
specifications,suchassafetyglasseswithscratchedlensesthathavelosttheirability
towithstandimpactshouldbediscarded.
Proceduresshouldbesetuptoenableworkerstoobtainreplacementpartsfor
damagedPPE,andtokeepitclean.Respiratoryprotectiondevicesrequirean
elaborateprogramofrepair,cleaning,storageandperiodictesting.
WearingpoorlymaintainedormalfunctioningPPEcouldbemoredangerousthannot
wearinganyformofprotectionatall.Theworkersgainafalsesenseofsecurityand
thinktheyareprotectedwhen,inreality,theyarenot.

i)Conducttraining
NoprogramcanbecompletewithouttrainingtoensuretheoptimumuseofPPE.
TrainingshouldcoverhowtofitandwearPPE,howtoadjustitformaximum
protection,andhowtocareforit.
Trainingcanbedoneonanindividualbasisoringroupmeetings.Trainingprograms
shouldemphasizethemajorgoalsoftheprogramandreinforcethefactthat
engineeringcontrolshavebeenconsideredastheprimarypreventionstrategy.Itis
notgoodenoughtotellsomeonetoweararespiratorjustbecausemanagement
and/orlegislationrequiresit.Iftherespiratorisintendedtopreventlungdisorders,
theworkersshouldbeinformedofthehazards.
Workersandtheirsupervisorswillrequiretraininginwhen,where,why,andhowto
usetheequipmenttoachievethenecessarylevelofprotection.Theworkerstobe
trainedincludethosewhoareexposedonaregularbasisandotherswhomightbe

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exposedonanoccasionalbasis,forexample,inemergenciesorwhentemporary
workisperformedindangerousareas.Thetrainingneedsandmethodsforallthese
workersareessentiallythesame.

j)Obtainsupportfromalldepartments
Oncetheprogramisunderwaytherewillbeacontinuingneedforinvolvementfrom
management,safetyandmedicalpersonnel,supervisorypersonnel,thehealthand
safetycommittee,individualworkers,andeventhesuppliersofthechosenPPE.
Educationprogramsshouldcontinueonaregularbasis.Themostcommonreason
forfailureofaPPEprogramistheinabilitytoovercomeobjectionstowearingit.Each
problemshouldbeaddressedonanindividualbasis.

k)Audittheprogram
Aswithanyprogramorprocedureimplementedinanorganization,theeffectiveness
ofthePPEprogramshouldbemonitoredbyinspectionoftheequipmentandauditing
ofprocedures.
Annualauditsarecommonbutitmaybeadvisabletoreviewcriticalareasmore
frequently.
Itwouldbeusefultocomparethesafetyperformancetothosebeforetheprogram
began.Thiscomparisonwouldhelpdeterminethesuccessorfailureofaprogram.
Withoutthisdetailedmonitoring,recommendationsconcerningchangestoaprogram
orretentionoftheprogramcouldbeunsupported.

HowcanIpromotemyPPEprogram?
Theoverallgoalofasaferworkplaceissupportedbyacarefulpromotionalstrategy.
Thisstrategyfocuseson:
commitmentbymanagementandworkerstotheprogramandasenseof
responsibilityforit
thereasonsfortheprogram,and
howtheprogramwillwork.
ThesuccessofthePPEprogramdependsuponwinningthecooperationandsupport
ofallthoseconcerned.Thiscanbestbeachievedbyhelpingworkersunderstandthe
needtowearthePPE,andbyencouragingthemtowanttowearitratherthan
demandingthattheydoso.Successismorelikelytobeaccomplishedifitisshown
thatcontrolsatthesourceandalongthepathhavebeenaddressedcomprehensively
andeffectively.Itmayhelptohaveaneducationprogramwithinthework
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environment,usingseminars,films,andbestofall,oneononediscussions.Theuse
ofpostersandenvelopestufferscanassistinthepromotionoftheprogram,but
shouldnotbeusedastheonlymeansofpromotion.
Manyofthesafetyequipmentsuppliersmaybeabletohelpwithpromotionascan
safetyassociationsandgovernmentagencies.Naturally,theeducationprocess
shouldbesupportedbyaclearcompanypolicythatassignsresponsibilityfortheuse
ofPPEandwhichisfirmlybacked.

Whyaretheresomanyprecautionsaboutusing
PPE?
PPEprogramsareoftenplaguedbythebeliefthatonceapieceofequipmentisput
on,theworkeristotallyprotected.Thisisafalsesenseofsecurity.Basicsafety
principles,suchashousekeepingandenvironmentalcontrols,mustnotbeignored.
PPEisdesignedtomeetcriteriawhichisonlyanapproximationofrealworking
conditions.PPEshouldnotbeusedwhenhazardsaregreaterthanthoseforwhichit
isdesigned.Whenitcomestotheevaluationofpotentialhazards,uncertaintiesneed
tobetakenintoaccount.Unfortunately,PPEdesigncriteriacannotcoverall
eventualities.
Usingseveraltypesofprotectionatthesametimesuchashardhats,earmuffsand
goggles,mustnotincreasethedangerordecreasetheworker'sabilitytodothe
assignedjob.WearingPPEshouldnotinitselfcreateagreaterdanger.Gloves
preventskindamagewhileworkingwithmovingequipment,butcancreatean
entanglementhazardwithadrillpressormetallathe.
MostregulatoryagenciesrequirethatPPEnotbeusedunlesstheemployerhas
takenallthenecessarymeasuresintermsofengineeringcontrols,workpractices,
administrativecontrols,andhygienetocontrolthehazard.
Sincethegoalofanoccupationalhealthandsafetyprogramistoprevent
occupationalinjuryandillness,PPEcannotbethefirstprotectionoption.Theuseof
PPEdoesnotpreventanaccidentfromhappening.Itdoesnoteliminatethehazard.
Itdoesnotinfluenceanyprecontactactivities.Itonlyminimizestheexposureor
reducestheseverityofinjuryorillness.PPEisagoodpointofcontactinjurycontrol
strategy.However,evenatitsbest,PPEcannotachieveitsfullprotectionpotential
withoutworkerknowledgeandcooperation.Inpractice,PPEisonlytobeusedasthe
lastlineofdefence.

ExampleofPPEprogramchecklist:
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ThePPEprogramcoordinatorshouldconsiderthefollowing:
DesigningaPPEProgram:
Ensurethe"hierachyofcontrols"methodssuchaselimination,substitution,
engineeringcontrols,andadministrativecontrols,areconsideredfirst.PPEis
thelastlineofdefence.
Securetheactiveparticipationofallparties.
Ensurethataprogramcoordinatorhasbeenappointed.
ObservethegradualphasinginofthePPEprogramonaprearrangedtime
schedule.
Reevaluateprogramonanongoingbasis.
PromotionalStrategy
Publicizecommitmenttotheprogram.
Ensureaclear,concisecompanypolicyhasbeenformulated.
Examinetheeducationalprogram.
WorkplaceSurvey
Reviewworkpractices,jobprocedures,equipmentandplantlayout.
Usejobhazardanalysistechniquestointegrateacceptedsafetyandhealth
principlesandpracticeintospecificoperations.
Selection
ChoosePPEtomatchthehazard.
Obtainadviceonproperselection.
Instituteworkplacetrials.
ConsiderthephysicalcomfortofPPE.
EvaluatecostconsiderationsofPPEusage.
EnsurePPEmeetsstandards/certification(e.g.,CSA,CGSB,NIOSH,ANSI).
Fittingandwearing
EnsureprogramincludestheindividualfittingofPPE.
SurveyuserstoensurePPEiswornproperly.
Maintenance
Ensurethatworkersknowhowtoperformregularmaintenanceandinspection
oftheirPPE.
EnsurethatworkerscanidentifypotentialproblemsordefectswiththeirPPE
duringthepreuseinspectionorwhilewearing/using.
Training
Verifythatallusers,supervisors,selectors,buyers,andstorekeepersare
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trained.
Support
Ensurethateducationprogramsareongoing.
AuditingtheProgram
Reviewtheprogramatleastannually.
Reviewandcompareproductionandsafetyperformancerecords.
Workerresponsibilitiesinclude:
UseofproperPPE
MakesureyouarewearingtherightPPEforthejob.Checkwithyoursafety
representativeifyouarenotsure.
Maintenanceandinspection
InspectPPEbeforeandaftereachuse.
TakecareofPPEatalltimes.
CleanallPPEafteruse.
RepairorreplacedamagedorbrokenPPE.
StorePPEincleandryairfreefromexposuretosunlightorcontaminants.
Training
Ensureyouhavebeentrainedinhowtofit,wear,andmaintainPPE.
EnsuretrainingprogramincludesinformationthatexplainswhenandwhatPPE
shouldbeworn,andwhyitshouldbeworn.

DocumentlastupdatedonJanuary6,2011

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