PPE - Hazard Assessment to Determine if Required

To determine what PPE is necessary, employers must conduct a workplace hazard assessment to determine if hazards are present.

The key factors of hazard assessment include identifying real or potential hazards to employees (through inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, and eye or skin contact).

After identifying hazards, Appendix B to 28 CFR 1910.120 (titled General Description and Discussion of the Levels of Protection and Protective Gear) suggests the following steps:

• Analyzing the PPE materials' ability to provide a barrier to these hazards
• Making sure the protection provided by PPE is material-hazard specific
• Matching the PPE to the employee's work requirements and task-specific conditions
• Ensuring the durability of PPE materials, such as tear strength and seam strength
• Considering the effects of PPE in relation to heat stress and task duration
• Using layers of PPE, when necessary, to provide sufficient protection or to protect expensive PPE inner garments, like suits or equipment

It is important to remember that hazard assessment is ongoing. Sites change, and the required levels of PPE may be raised or lowered throughout operations. The more that is known about the site, the better employers can equip employees against hazards.

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