PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
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PROGRAM
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TRAINING
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Worker
The worker is responsible for providing clothing to protect against the natural elements, safety footwear, general-purpose gloves and headgear.
The employer is responsible for providing all other required PPE at no cost to the worker. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.2)
PPE must be selected in accordance with published standards and manufacturers instructions. The PPE selected must provide effective protection and not create an additional hazard. The PPE must be compatible with other PPE worn by the worker and be maintained in good order. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.3)
If a workplace evaluation is required to determine the PPE requirements, the evaluation must be don (where practicable) in consultation with the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) and with the worker who will use the PPE. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.4)
For chemical exposure or an oxygen deficient atmosphere, there must be a PPE program established. The program must have the following elements: statement of purpose and responsibilities, written procedures, training, medical assessment of respirator wearers when required, and a program review
The PPE program must be reviewed annually by the employer in consultation with the JHSC. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.5 – 8.6)
Employers must ensure that workers are trained in the use, limits and maintenance of any PPE they are required to use. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.7)
Supervisors
are responsible to ensure that PPE is available to workers, that it is worn
properly, and that it is cleaned, inspected, maintained and stored as required.
(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.8)
Workers
who are required to use PPE must use the equipment in accordance with training,
inspect the equipment before use, and report any equipment malfunction to a
supervisor. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.9)
Eye protection is required if a worker is exposed to a hazard likely to irritate or injure his or her eyes. Safety eyewear must be worn if a worker is blind in one eye, has vision less than20/200 or is testing electrical equipment with a voltage greater than 30 volts. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.14)
Prescription
eyewear must meet CAN/CSA Z94.3-92 Industrial Eye and Face Protectors, or
another published standard. Bi or trifocal lenses must be worn behind
impact-rated goggles if there is a danger of impact. If plastic lenses are
incompatible with the hazard, treated safety glass meeting ANSI Z87.1-1989 Practice
for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, may be worn. (Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.15)
Safety
eyewear must be fitted with side shields when necessary. (Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.16)
Face
protection must be worn when there is a risk of face injury. Face protectors
must meet CAN/CSA Z94.3-92 Industrial Eye and Face Protectors, ANSI Z87.1-1989
Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, or other
published standard. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97,
8.17)
Adequate
precautions must be taken if a hazardous substance may adversely impact a
worker wearing contact lenses. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
296/97, 8.18)
The employer must provide protection if a worker is exposed to the hazard of puncture, abrasion, or absorption of a hazardous substance that may damage the worker’s skin. The worker must wear PPE if there is a hazard of injury, contamination or infection.
If the PPE is contaminated, it must be replaced with clean or decontaminated PPE.
If there is the potential for contamination of a worker’s skin or clothing by a hazardous substance, the employer must supply protective clothing and launder or dispose of it regularly. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.19, 8.20, 5.82)
Safety footwear must be designed and constructed of material appropriate for the workplace. Workplace demands must be considered in selecting footwear. Footwear must conform to CAN/CSA Z195-M92 Protective Footwear, ANSI Z41-1991 Personal Protection – Protective Footwear, BS EN 346:1994 Specification for Safety Footwear for Professional Use, or other published standard.
Workers must wear safety footwear when required. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.22)
Respiratory protection must be provided when worker exposure to a hazardous substance exceeds the exposure limit or in an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Respiratory protection must be selected in consultation with the JHSC and CAN/CSA Z94.4-93 Selection, Use and Care of Respirators. Specialty corrective eyewear must be provided if a worker is required to wear a full-face respirator and needs corrective eyewear.
Workers must be clean-shaven where the respirator seals with the face. Workers must be given a fit test prior to use annually thereafter. A record of fit testing must be retained.
If there is doubt about the medical suitability of a worker to wear respiratory protection, the worker must be examined by a physician. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 8.32, 8.33. 8.40, 8.42 – 8.44)
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