Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The.inal.rule.also.clariies.OSHA's.intent.regarding.employee-owned.PPE,.and.
replacement.PPE:
•.
It.provides.that,.if.employees.choose.to.use.PPE.they.own,.employers.will.
not.need.to.reimburse.the.employees.for.the.PPE..The.standard.also.makes.
clear.that.employers.cannot.require.employees.to.provide.their.own.PPE,.and.
the.employee's.use.of.PPE.they.already.own.must.be.completely..voluntary..
Even.when.an.employee.provides.his.or.her.own.PPE,.the.employer.must.
ensure.that.the.equipment.is.adequate.to.protect.the.employee.from.hazards.
at.the.workplace.
•.
It.also.requires.that.the.employer.pay.for.replacement.PPE.used.to.comply.
with.OSHA.standards..However,.when.an.employee.has.lost.or.intentionally.
damaged.the.PPE,.the.employer.is.not.required.to.pay.for.its.replacement.
The.inal.rule.requires.employers.to.pay.for.almost.all.personal.protective.equip-
ment. that. is. required. by. OSHA's. general. industry,. construction,. and. maritime.
standards..Employers.already.pay.for.approximately.95.percent.of.these.types.of.PPE.
When.employees.must.be.present.and.engineering.or.administrative.controls.are.
not. feasible,. it. will. be. essential. to. use. PPE. as. an. interim. control. and. not. a. inal.
solution..For.example,.safety.glasses.may.be.required.in.the.work.area..Too.often,.
PPE.usage.is.considered.the.last.thing.to.do.in.the.scheme.of.hazard.control..PPE.can.
provide.added.protection.to.the.employee.even.when.the.hazard.is.being.controlled.
by.other.means..There.are.drawbacks.to.the.use.of.PPE,.including
•.
Hazard.still.looms
•.
Protection.dependent.upon.the.worker.using.PPE
•.
PPE.may.interfere.with.performing.task.and.productivity
•.
Requires.supervision
•.
Is.an.ongoing.expense
estABlIshIng A PPe ProgrAm
A.PPE.program.sets.out.procedures.for.selecting,.providing,.and.using.PPE.as.part.
of.an.organization's.routine.operation..A.written.PPE.program.is.easier.to.establish.
and.maintain.than.a.company.policy.and.easier.to.evaluate.than.an.unwritten.one..
To develop.a.written.program,.you.should.consider.the.following:
.
1.. Identify.steps.taken.to.assess.potential.hazards.in.every.employee.workspace.
and.in.workplace.operating.procedures.
.
2.. Identify.appropriate.PPE.selection.criteria.
.
3.. Identify.how.you.will.train.employees.on.the.use.of.PPE,.including
.
a..
What.PPE.is.necessary?
.
b..
When.is.PPE.necessary?
.
c..
How.to.properly.inspect.PPE.for.wear.and.damage.
.
d..
How.to.properly.put.on.and.adjust.the.it.of.PPE.
