Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Effectively

You will receive training on how to perform work activities that require you to handle, pour, store, move, and dispose of potentially hazardous chemicals.  That training should include information on what PPE to wear, how to use it, how to keep it clean, and how to ensure it is useable. Remember, the PPE you use may be the only barrier that you will have against the effects of exposure to hazardous chemicals. PPE has been designed and developed for industry and specialized emergency responders to provide an effective barrier against potentially hazardous chemical exposures.

There are wide assortments of each category of PPE according to the type and hazard exposure potential of materials you work with.  The PPE you may use includes protective clothing or devices to prevent injury or illnesses that may affect your head, hands, feet, face and body as well as hearing, sight, and breathing.

Check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)/ Globally Harmonized System Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for required PPE for each chemical you use.  If you are exposed to several potentially hazardous chemicals at the same time, you must use the PPE required to protect you from the most hazardous chemical.  The PPE you may use could include a hard hat, chemical goggles, glasses, face shield, full-face or half-face air-purifying respirator, hearing protection, gloves, foot protection, apron, and full body suits.

Ensure that you wear the correct type of PPE.  For example, there are several categories of respirators, including air-line supplied respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and chemical cartridge respirators.  In no case, unless you earn certification in the selection, use, and maintenance of respirators, can you select and fit and maintain your own respirator.  Also, in all cases you must receive hands-on training in donning, using, fitting, removing, storage, and checking respirators.

Wear the PPE required for use in designated chemical operations, and wear it in the prescribed manner.  For example, you must not place anything in your mouth that could change the way the respirator fits around your cheeks or jaw.

For more information about the content of this article, refer to MSDS Section 8, “Exposure Control/Personal Protection.”  For information about PPE, click on this link to access my blog, "Using Personal Protective Equipment, featuring PPE references, products, and solutions."