PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

 

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·       PROVISION OF PPE

·       TRAINING

·       RESPONSIBILITIES

Ø    Employee

·       EYE PROTECTION

·       HEAD PROTECTION

·       BODY/SKIN PROTECTION

·       FOOT PROTECTION

·       RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

 

PROVISION OF PPE

Employees are responsible for providing themselves with footwear, and suitable clothing to protect against the natural elements.

 

The employer must equip each worker with safety headgear, eye and ear protection, respiratory protection, and fall arresting devices where the use is required by regulation. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 5)

 

TRAINING

The employer must ensure that workers are given necessary instruction and training, taking into account the nature of the work and the abilities of the workers. (Occupational Health and Safety Act, 3)

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee

The worker must at all appropriate times use the safety devices and wear the safety clothing or equipment provided by the employer. (Occupational Health and Safety Act, 9)

 

EYE PROTECTION

Properly fitting goggles, face shields, or other eye protective equipment appropriate to the work being done must be worn by a worker who is handling any material that is likely to injure or irritate the eyes, is engaged in any work in which there is a hazard of eye injury, or has no better than 20/200 vision in either eye or is blind in either eye. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 10)

 

A worker who intends to wear contact lenses at work must tell his or her employer. No worker may wear contact lenses where gases, vapours, or other materials are present, which when absorbed by contact lenses, may harm the eyes, or where there are dusts that may harm the eyes. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 10)

 

HEAD PROTECTION

Safety headgear must be worn by workers in work areas where there is a hazard from falling, flying, or thrown objects. Safety headgear must conform to CSA Z94.1 Industrial Protective Headgear. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 8)

 

BODY/SKIN PROTECTION

Workers handling or using acids, caustics, or other similar harmful substances must use suitable PPE that will provide protection against the hazards. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 9)

 

When poisonous substances that can be absorbed through the skin in harmful quantities are used or handled in open containers, the workers must wear PPE. Corrosive substances must be stored away from areas with high fire hazards, away from oxidizing substances, and in cool and well-ventilated areas. (Occupational Health Regulations, 17)

 

FOOT PROTECTION

Workers in all industrial occupations must wear substantial footwear, made of leather or other appropriate material.

 

Workers in all work areas where there is a hazard of injury to the toes, metatarsal area, or soles of the feet must wear safety footwear. Footwear must conform to CSA Z-195 Safety Footwear.

 

The soles and heels of safety footwear must be of a material that will not create a danger of slipping. Footwear that has deteriorated so that it does not provide protection must not be used. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 7)

 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Where the prevention or elimination of hazardous conditions is not reasonably practicable, every worker exposed to the hazard must wear respiratory protective equipment.

 

Respiratory protective equipment must be of a design and quality that provides adequate protection against contaminants in the work place and must be maintained in good working order in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Every worker who is required to wear respiratory protective equipment must be given instruction to understand the use, limitations, and maintenance requirements.

 

Workers required to wear respiratory protective equipment must be clean-shaven where the face-piece seals with the skin. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 12)

 

 

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