Personal Protective Equipment Policy

Policy Statement

Introduction

Personal Protective Equipment is necessary in situations where engineering or work practice controls are not sufficient to control the risk associated with the use or exposure to potentially hazardous materials, equipment or energy. The Dartmouth Personal Protective Equipment policy (DartPPE) provides a simple and flexible guide to assist Dartmouth employees in selecting and using personal protective equipment (PPE).

The DartPPE complies with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR 1910.132 -.138). Personal protective equipment must never replace engineering and administrative controls. PPE represents a last line of defense in many situations and supplements situations when engineering controls are not adequate, during the implementation of controls or as a necessary and appropriate supplement to such controls.

Purpose

The DartPPE outlines the necessary steps in PPE selection, use and care

Scope

This policy applies to all Dartmouth College employees.

Responsibilities

To (1) assess the need for personal protective equipment and (2) to select PPE that is appropriate for the hazard(s) present. Never use inappropriate, defective or damaged PPE. Personal protective equipment is available to the employee from their supervisor at no cost to the employee with a few exceptions. Exceptions include safety shoes and prescription safety eyeglasses. For these items, the College provides a subsidy. Please speak to your supervisor or EHS for more information.

Supervisor:

1. To identify the hazards and risks associated with the work.
2. To select, purchase, provide and require the use of PPE.
3. Instruct and periodically remind employees of the importance and limitations of PPE.
4. To make sure the employee is aware of how to wear and care for their PPE.
5. Audit his or her employees to ensure PPE is used when needed.

Environmental Health and Safety:

1. Ensure that PPE certifications are done when needed and to evaluate the effectiveness of PPE use and selection across the campus.
2. Act as a resource for information to employees and supervisors. Employee
3. Recognize hazards associated with a specific task.
4. Become familiar with the capabilities and limitations of PPE used.
5. Wear PPE assigned to him or her for when required.
6. Report (or replace as appropriate) worn or damaged PPE to their supervisor.

Employee

1. Recognize hazards associated with a specific task.
2. Become familiar with the capabilities and limitations of PPE used.
3. Wear PPE assigned to them for when required.
4. Report (or replace as appropriate) worn or damaged PPE to their supervisor.

DartPPE Components: there are three essential components to the DartPPE policy:

1. Hazard assessment done by area, department or discipline.
2. PPE certification is on file with EHS. This includes (1) a list of hazards and PPE requirements or by (2) reference of specific Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).
3. PPE training and information--often incorporated into site-specific training such as lab safety or hazard communication.

Overview of PPE

Please refer to the accompanying Compliance Guidelines for Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment Selection. Attachment 1.

Eye and Face Protection (1919.133):

• All protection must meet ANSI Z87.2003.
• Common sunglasses and prescription eyewear are not ANSI compliant.
• Safety glasses with side shields provide impact protection from flying objects, debris and dusts. Safety glass may also provide limited splash/spray hazard protection.
• Chemical splash goggles provide protection from significant chemical splash, sprays and irritating mists while also providing impact protection.
• When working with corrosive chemicals, splash goggles are mandatory.
• Face and neck shields provide additional protection to the eyes and face.
• Never wear a face shield without safety glasses or splash goggles—preferably splash goggles.
• Lenses with the appropriate filter designation are necessary for protection against radiant energy—welding for example.
• Specialized eye protection when using lasers is required—contact the Radiation Safety Officer for assistance.

Head Protection (1910.135):

• Hard hat designations have been simplified in recent years (ANSI Z89.1- 1997)
• A hardhat is required where there is the danger of falling objects, impact hazards or electrical hazards. Hard hats may be either Type I or Type II.
• Type II helmets provide a degree of protection to the front, side and rear. This new category of helmet may be useful to workers who are not always in the upright position when working.
  • Class G (General Application)—formerly Class A
  • Class E (Electric al Application)—formerly Class B

Note: Never use Class C caps and helmets.

Foot and Leg Protection (1910.136):

• Footwear must comply with ANSI Z41-1999. Recent changes yet to be included in an updated ANSI standard include ASTM F2412-05 and ASTM F2413-05
• Safety shoes are required where there is the potential of puncturing the sole or when there is a risk of falling or rolling objects over 50 pounds. All individuals involved in routine materials handling must wear safety shoes.
• Slip resistant soles for work on slippery surfaces.
• Detailed information on conducting a job hazard analysis for safety shoes is available from EHS.

Hand Protection (1910.138):

Glove selection must consider (for example):

• need for barrier protection with biological or radiological hazards
• potential for absorption into the body
• potential acute and chronic toxicity of the substance
• need for cut or abrasion resistance
• need for puncture resistance
• potential for permeation
• potential for thermal burns
• potential/need for protection against electrical hazards

Specialized information on glove selection is available from EHS. EHS has standardized a variety of gloves for various applications across campus. Contact EHS for help in selecting the proper glove for the task.

Hearing Protection:

The College's Hearing Conservation Policy (29 CFR 1910.95) covers hearing protection. Hearing protection is required at >85dba and in all posted areas. As a matter of institutional practice, hearing protection is required during all noisy tasks.

Respiratory Protection:

The College's Respiratory Protection Program (29 CFR 1910.134) covers respiratory protection.

Program Effectiveness

• The selection and use of PPE is part of several EHS compliance programs.
• Every three years an audit and update to the written program is required.

Note:

• In November of 2007, OSHA clarified the requirements for purchasing PPE for employees. Please refer to Attachment 2.