Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) - Basics

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) - Basics For Laboratory and Facilities Employees of Tulane University May 2012 Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

2. Objectives • To know how to assess the work area for PPE use • To understand the importance of providing adequate amounts and various sizes of personal protective equipment • To understand why a worker should not wear PPE outside the work area • To know how to store PPE properly Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

3. PPE/Hazard Assessment • Assess each task and/or work area (e.g. lab, shop, studio, etc.) when any of the following applies: • Hazardous materials are used • Potentially infectious substances are used • Equipment that can pinch, compress, or radiate intensive heat or light is used Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

4. Proper Dress • Employees must dress appropriately for their jobs. • For laboratories and areas where hazardous materials are used, employees must wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing (no shorts, sandals, flip flops). • PPE must be worn as needed. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

5. Control of Workplace Hazards • Engineering controls • Administrative and work practice controls • PPE is to be used when work practices and/or engineering controls do not lessen or eliminate the hazards. It is important to select and use PPE properly to reduce and/or eliminate worker exposure to the hazard. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

6. PPE/Hazard Assessment • Assessment for personal protective equipment application must be done per hazard (physical and chemical): - Chemical - Impact - Biological - Penetration - Radiological - Compression - Noise - Heat/Cold - Vibration - Harmful Dust - Light radiation • Assessments must be done every two years and/or when new hazards are created. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

7. PPE/Hazard Assessment Things to look for include: • Sources of motion • Temperature extremes (hot/cold) • Chemical exposures • Dust • Light radiation (welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, high intensity lights) • Falling objects • Sharp objects • Rolling , pinching • Electrical hazards Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

8. PPE/Hazard Assessment • Assessment must include the following areas of the body which may be affected: • Head – eyes, ears, face, respiratory • Hand – wrist, fingers and palms • Body – torso and legs • Foot – shins and feet Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

9. PPE/Hazard Assessment • After assessment has been completed, the proper PPE must be provided for each worker that the hazard affects. • PPE must be made available in adequate amounts and different sizes. • PPE must be stored as per manufacturer recommendations to prevent damage, distortion or contamination. • Bag respirators; don’t hang from straps • Rinse reusable gloves • Don’t leave in sunlight • Don’t paint hard hats. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

10. PPE/Hazard Assessment • OSHA requires documentation of the hazard assessment. • To complete the assessment process, the supervisor must use the PPE/Hazard Assessment Form. • For a copy of the form, go to: http://tulane.edu/oehs/safety/upload/11F-oehss14.pdf • Submit the completed form to OEHS by fax, 504-988-1693 or via campus mail, TW 16. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

11. Use of PPE • All who wear PPE must be trained on its uses, limitations and proper decontamination /storage. • Those who wear PPE must not wear it outside their work area. • If PPE is reusable, it must be properly cleaned and decontaminated after use. • All PPE must be stored in a clean and safe manner. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

12. Eye Protection • Safety glasses (with side shields and brow guard) – impact hazards • Safety goggles – liquid chemicals • Face shield – used with eye protection - For impact protection, face shields alone do not offer eye protection. They must be used with approved safety glasses or goggles. • The proper prescription safety glasses may be worn for impact protection with the approval of the supervisor. • Notes: • The American Chemical Society advises that contact lenses may be worn around hazardous materials as long as the appropriate type of eye protection is used. Contact lenses do not provide adequate eye protection. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

13. Eye Protection • When working with cryogenic materials, one must wear the proper gloves, eye protection, and a face shield. • Proper eye protection must be used when working with UV light or when welding. Eye protection may also be required with some lasers. • Contact OEHS for further assistance on the selection of appropriate eye wear. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

14. Protective Clothing • Aprons • Clean if contaminated with hazardous materials. • Replace if torn, ripped or tattered . • Chemical Suits • If disposable, they must be handled properly and discarded as hazardous waste after use. • If reusable, they must be properly cleaned, decontaminated and properly stored for next use. • Laboratory Coats • Must be worn only inside the work area • Must be removed before leaving work area for breaks, lunch and end of the work day. • Must be cleaned by a professional cleaning service. DO NOT TAKE CONTAMINATED LAB COATS HOME FOR WASHING. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

15. Protective Clothing • When working with bloodborne pathogens, disposable clothing and/or laboratory coats may not be adequate protection for the employee. • Such clothing must be resistant to blood and body fluid splashes. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

16. Hand Protection • Latex Gloves • Supervisors must supply adequate supplies and sizes. • Worker and supervisor should be aware of latex allergies and must supply the appropriate substitute PPE as needed. • Rubber Gloves • Must be worn when working with highly corrosive or toxic materials • Must be cleaned, decontaminated and properly stored after each use • Temperature Resistant Gloves (non-asbestos) • Leather Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

17. Hand Protection • Gloves must be inspected before each use for tears, holes, cracks, and deterioration. • If gloves are defective or badly soiled, they must be discarded. • Disposable gloves must not be reused. • Contact OEHS for information on latex allergies and glove use. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

18. Hand Protection - Chemical • For information as to the type of glove that should be used to protect yourself from a particular chemical, consult the glove manufacturer’s chemical compatibility chart. • Contact OEHS for further assistance. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

19. Foot Protection • Rubber Booties • Chemical Resistant Shoes/Boots • Steel-toe Shoes • Paper booties Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

20. Head Protection • Hard hats can protect from head impact, penetration injuries, and electrical injuries such as those caused by falling or flying objects, fixed objects, or contact with electrical conductors. • Cover and protect long hair from getting caught in moving machine parts such as belts, pulleys, chains, etc. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

21. Hearing Protection • Earplugs/earmuffs can help prevent damage to hearing. • Replace earplugs regularly. Dirty earplugs can cause ear infections. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

22. Types of Respiratory Protection • Air Purifying - TB Respirators (N-95) - Cartridge Respirators - Dust/Mist/Particulate Respirators - Positive Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) • Air Supplied - Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

23. Respiratory Protection • Respiratory protective equipment is needed when work practices and engineering controls cannot eliminate the inhalation hazard. • The selection and type of respirator is based on the air contaminant and other factors (such as the concentration of the contaminant, oxygen deficient atmosphere, etc.). Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

24. Respiratory Protection • In order to wear a respirator, the following must be done: • The employee must receive a copy of the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard and the Tulane University Respiratory Protection Program. • The employee must be clean shaven. • The employee must have a medical evaluation to determine their ability to wear a respirator. • The employee must be fit-tested by OEHS on an annual basis or when the employee’s facial features have changed dramatically. • Contact OEHS for more details on the Respiratory Protection Program. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

25. Summary • PPE hazard assessment forms must be filled out and submitted to OEHS every two years. • PPE must be adequate for the job and available to the employee in different sizes and styles. • PPE must not be worn outside work areas or brought home for laundering. • PPE must be stored properly so that it will not be damaged. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

26. Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)http://tulane.edu/oehsPam Fatland (504) 988-2800 / pfatlan@tulane.eduIf unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browserhttps://audubon.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=131 Proceed to Quiz