Personal Protective

Equipment
ALBERT L. ASPREC, M.D., M.O.H.
PPE

The last line of defense in
Industrial Hygiene control

Aids in controlling individual
exposure

Does not eliminate the hazard
Limitations of PPE

It does not reduce or eliminate the
hazard

If PPE is defective, the wearer may be
exposed to the hazard without
knowledge of it

Protection afforded to wearer only
Limitations of PPE

May introduce additional hazards to the

wearer

May transfer hazards to another location

May not be suitable for continuous use
(i.e. respiratory PE )

May not always be worn properly
No protection if PPE is

PPE isDefective
Wrong Use
Wrong Size
Wrong Type
Employer Responsibility
BWC - DOLE

Issue Free PPE!!!

Limitations of PPE

Proper PPE is part of our uniform

It is not a costume !!!
HEAD Protection
EYE and FACE
Protection
IMPACT
- Flying objects or
particles enter the eye
CHEMICAL
- involves chemical splashes, vapor and
irritating mists
HEAT
- exposure to hot sparks, splashes of molten
metal or high temperatures; anything
emitting extreme heat
DUST
- exposure to nuisance dust
LIGHT RADIATION
- Radiant energy, glare and intense light
Fall from a height:
Excavation
Roof
Moving vehicles
Equipment
 Incorrect safety equipment

Body belt Full body harness

FOOT Protection
Machines/Equipment
Power tools
Woodworking machines
Heavy machines
Sole Puncture
Resistant
Safety Shoes
Safety Shoes
with steel toe
cap
PPE Program is
composed of the following:
Selection Fitting
Health Aspects Issue
Proper Use Compatibility
Maintenance Disposal
Information & Training Supervision
Reviews Checklist
1. Selection

To be done by a suitably trained person

with adequate information of the task,
hazards, personnel, materials, etc..
2. Fitting
When first issued, the user should also
be trained to check the fit whenever the
equipment is used
Ensure an adequate fit under careful
supervision
Fitting

 Particularly important for RPE

 Various sizes of each type of equipment
should be made available to fit the
typical size range
 Do not force the PPE to fit the body
3. Health Aspects
Use of PPE can have an impact on an
employees health (e.g..... skin irritation,
heat stress)
A number of medical conditions may
make it difficult to use certain
equipment
4. Compatibility
If more than one type of PPE is
required to be worn simultaneously,
then the harmony of the individual
items needs to be evaluated.
The PPE also needs to be compatible
with the task involved
5. Issue
Provision should be made to control the
issue of PPE to employees, remembering
that several types of equipment may be
available.
6. Proper Use
PPE is effective if worn properly for the
appropriate task
Use of PPE by Supervisor encourages
employees and enforces PPE programs
Proper Use

Equipment that can provide complete

protection, but which is not properly
used, may provide no protection at all
Employees should be prevented from
taking used PPE for domestic
purposes
7. Maintenance (Cleaning & Storage)

Depending on type of equipment used,

procedures need to be established for
its cleaning and maintenance when
necessary
Exempted here are single use items
(disposable)
Cataract Senile arc
8. Disposal

Used PPE can be contaminated with

toxic agents and disposal procedures
need careful consideration. Depending
on the circumstances, equipment may
need to be treated as toxic waste
Saliva / mucus

Ear wax / abscess

9. Information & Training

Employees have to be given sufficient

information and proper training about
the hazards associated with their jobs
to enable them to work safely with
minimal risk to health
Limits the visual field
10. Supervision

A PPE program is unlikely to be successful

unless the first line supervisory personnel
are knowledgeable and held accountable
for effective use of PPE
Supervisors must set an example by
wearing PPE as appropriate and ensure its
use by others as required
11. Reviews

Periodic evaluation to confirm that the

agreed procedures are appropriate and
being followed
Formal audit carried out by a third party
with specialist advisers
12. Checklist
Used to ensure use of properly fitted,
effective PPE for specific jobs
CHECKLIST
Preview laws, regulations, company policies
Recognize hazards
Obtain information about PPE
Track company procedures
Encourage / Enforce use of PPE
Check MSDS
Talk to an Industrial Hygienist
PPE Program is
composed of the following:
Selection Fitting
Health Aspects Issue
Proper Use Compatibility
Maintenance Disposal
Information & Training Supervision
Reviews Checklist
It must be remembered that PPE is
the last line of defense, hence, its
effectiveness may be crucial to the
health of the workers