PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

 

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·       PROVISION OF PPE

·       WORKPLACE EVALUATION

·       TRAINING

·       RESPONSIBILITIES

Ø    Employer

Ø    Supervisor

Ø    Worker

·       EYE PROTECTION

·       BODY/SKIN PROTECTION

·       FOOT PROTECTION

·       RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

 

PROVISION OF PPE

The employer is responsible for providing all PPE required at no cost to the employee. The employer is also responsible for ensuring the PPE is maintained in good condition, training employees to use it properly and ensuring it is used properly. (Occupational Health and Safety Act, 25)

 

PPE that is worn next to the skin must be cleaned and disinfected before it is used by another worker. (Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90, 137).

 

WORKPLACE EVALUATION

The employer must evaluate the workplace to ensure the occupational exposure limits are not being exceeded. Where they are, the employer must implement engineering controls, where practicable. If engineering controls cannot be used to control or limit an exposure, the employer must provide, and workers shall wear and use, personal protective equipment appropriate in the circumstances to protect the workers from exposure to a hazardous biological or chemical agent. (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents Regulation 833/90, 4 - 7)

 

An employer must assess all biological and chemical agents produced in the workplace, for use in the workplace to determine if they are hazardous materials. (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information (WHMIS) Regulation 860/90, 3)

 

TRAINING

Workers who are exposed to a biological, chemical or physical hazard AND who must wear PPE, must be instructed and trained in the care and use of PPE before wearing it. (Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90, 79, 130)

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer

The employer must ensure that PPE is provided, maintained, and used. (Occupational Health and Safety Act, 25)

 

Supervisor

The supervisor must ensure that workers use or wear PPE when required. (Occupational Health and Safety Act, 27)

 

Worker

A worker must use or wear PPE provided. (Occupational Health and Safety Act, 28)

 

EYE PROTECTION

A worker who is exposed to eye injury must wear eye protection. (Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90, 81)

 

BODY/SKIN PROTECTION

A worker who is exposed to skin injury from contact with a chemical, sharp object, hot object, or heat must be protected by PPE (where an engineering control is not sufficient). (Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90, 84)

 

FOOT PROTECTION

A worker who is exposed to foot injury shall wear foot protection. (Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90, 82)

 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

When engineering controls are not practicable to reduce exposure to airborne contaminants below exposure limits, the employer must provide PPE appropriate to protect workers. Workers must wear PPE provided. (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents Regulations 883, 7)

 

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