PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: The Last Line of Defense
By Blake, Marilyn A | |
Proquest LLC |
As the employer, you have to evaluate the hazards, provide and pay for the appropriate PPE (with some exceptions), make sure you are medically qualified for certain tasks, and train employees on why PPE is necessary, what type of PPE is necessary, and how to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear PPE. Employees are responsible for wearing it, cleaning and caring for the PPE, and informing their supervisors when the PPE needs to be repaired or replaced. As a general rule, PPE should be stored in an area that protects it from light, temperature extremes, excessive humidity or cold, or other damaging conditions.
Head Pnobecbion
The easiest way to protect your brain from injury from an impact is to wear a hard hat. You should always wear a hard hat when there is a danger of objects falling from above; where you could bump your head against an object; and when there is a chance of your head coming in contact with electrical conductors. All hard hats must meet ANSI standard Z89.1. Hard hats have a suspension system and ventilation in their design. There are three classes: C (not rated for electrical protection), G (electric protection up to 2,200 volts), and E (electric protection up to 20,000 volts). You should wear the hat level on your head and make sure there is enough space between your head and the shell. Never drill holes. If the sun is changing the color of your hard hat, this is a sign it might need to be replaced.
Eye and Face Probecbion
Flying particles or chemicals can damage your eyes. Safety glasses have strong frames and impact-resistant lenses that provide protection. There are many designs/styles of safety glasses these days (even prescription), but to meet the standard, they must say "ANZI Z87.1." They should fit snugly on your face and not slide down your nose. Clean them using water and a nonabrasive soap, and let them air dry.
Hearing Pnobecbion
This is one form of PPE that many people think they can do without, but it is very important because hearing loss typically happens gradually.
Hand Pnobecbion
Without the use of our hands, most of us would have a difficult time performing regular activities. Wearing the proper gloves can protect you from burns, bruises, abrasions, cuts and chemical exposures, for example. If you work with sharp objects for jobs like splicing, you should wear cut-resistant gloves made of materials like Kevlar, tough synthetic yarns or steel mesh. If you work with extreme temperatures, you should use special temperature-resistant gloves. And, if you work with electricity, you should wear insulating rubber gloves. Gloves should be inspected before each wear for damage and should fit snugly.
Foob Pnobecbion
When there is a risk of heavy objects falling or rolling (like reels of cable), there is a risk of crushing, breaking or penetrating your feet. In these situations, you should wear foot protection that complies with ANSI Z41.1. The most common kind of foot protection in our industry is steel-toe boots, which are designed to protect the toes from being crushed. A common misconception is that employers are required to pay for steel-toe boots. While you can make them mandatory and you can pay for them, you are not required to pay for them.
The protection offered by the PPE is the last line of defense against an injury. Wearing PPE can reduce or eliminate the chance of getting hurt. When the employer deems it necessary, it should be worn every time that task is performed. It becomes the front-line supervisors' responsibility to make sure the employees are using/wearing it. If an
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Copyright: | (c) 2014 National Telephone Cooperative |
Wordcount: | 906 |
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