Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. PPE is designed to protect the eyes, face, hands, extremities, and skin that may be exposed to hazardous waste and hazardous conditions. PPE includes a variety of garments and accessories, items such as gloves, safety glasses, safety shoes, earplugs, earmuffs, hard hats, respirators, coveralls, vests, full body suits, protective shields, and protective barriers.

OSHA requires that employers develop a written PPE program for all employees who are involved in hazardous waste operations. The written PPE program should include the following:

• An explanation of equipment selection and use
• Maintenance and storage requirements
• Decontamination and disposal procedures
• Training and proper fit demonstrations
• Donning and doffing procedures
• Inspection
• In-use monitoring
• Program evaluation
• Equipment limitations

Employers must select PPE that is appropriate to the requirements and limitations of the work site, the task-specific conditions and duration of the tasks, and the hazards and potential hazards that are identified at the site. Employers are required to provide PPE that is sanitary and in reliable working condition.

The employer is required to review the company's PPE program annually, at a minimum. The review must include the following components:

• A survey of each site to ensure compliance with regulations applicable to the specific site involved
• The number of person-hours that workers wear various protective clothing and gear
• Accident and illness experience
• Levels of exposure for each worker
• Adequacy of equipment selection
• Adequacy of operational guidelines
• Adequacy of decontamination, cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and storage programs
• Adequacy and effectiveness of training and fitting programs
• Coordination with overall elements of the company's Safety and Health Program
• The degree of fulfillment of program objectives

To learn more about Hazardous Waste visit our Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.