Table of Contents

• Purpose
  
• Responsibilities
  
• Specific PPE;
  
  1. Head Protection
  2. Foot Protection
  3. Eye and Face Protection
  4. Hand Protection
  5. Body Protection
  6. Fall Protection
  7. Respiratory Protection
  8. Hearing Conservation
• Care and Maintenance
  
• Training
  
• Recordkeeping
  
• References
  

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Purpose

It is the intent of The Florida State University (FSU) to provide every employee with a safe and healthful working environment. Any faculty or staff member who needs protection during the course of their employment activities, should be protected by PPE.

Where feasible, appropriate engineering and/or administrative controls will be utilized to reduce or eliminate employee exposure to work place hazards. Where engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or supplemental protection is desired, PPE shall be utilized by employees.

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Responsibilities

This manual has been developed by the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). The Coordinator, EH&S, Industrial Hygiene (Industrial Hygiene Coordinator) is charged with administering the Program for FSU. The Industrial Hygiene Coordinator will review this procedure for effectiveness and verify the use of PPE by FSU personnel in accordance with this procedure.

A Hazard Assessment of the workplace shall be conducted by the Supervisor to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE. The Industrial Hygiene Coordinator will assist with Hazard Assessments upon request. Basic hazard categories include:

• Impact
• Penetration
• Compression (roll-over)
• Chemical
• Heat
• Harmful dust
• Light (optical) radiation

Supervisors shall inform employees of the PPE necessary for specific tasks assigned and shall ensure that workers receive the training required as outlined in this manual.

The Industrial Hygiene Coordinator will assist the supervisor/user employee in choosing and fitting PPE, upon request.

Supervisors shall ensure that employees wear the appropriate PPE.

Employees shall be responsible for properly donning, doffing, wearing, inspecting, cleaning, and storing all assigned PPE.

Training will be provided or contracted by EH&S.

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Specific PPE

This section describes the specific PPE required for work operations at FSU. Selection of PPE shall be based on a hazard assessment of the work to be performed and the area in which the work is to be performed.

1. Head Protection

   Employees shall wear protective helmets when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects (Class A, B, and C hard hats) and from electrical shock (Class A and B only). Hard hats shall comply with ANSI Z89.1-1986, "American National Standard for Personnel Assurance Protection-Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers-Requirements."

   The entire hard hat (helmet) should be replaced when the shell shows signs of damage, wear, or has been subjected to an impact that would lessen the integrity of the hard hat. Drilling holes in the shell of a hard hat eliminates the electrical insulation protection and the degree of impact resistance. Wearing head protection properly is essential, if the head protection is not worn as designed, it may not offer the level of protection for which it was designed.

2. Foot Protection

   Personnel shall wear adequate foot protection when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, where an employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards, and where there is a slipping hazard. Protective footwear shall comply with ANSI Z41-1991, "American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear".

   Open-toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, etc. shall not be worn into any area where there is a potential for foot injury.

3. Eye and Face Protection

   Employees and students shall use appropriate eye or face protection when working with liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, molten metal, cryogenic liquids, potentially injurious light radiation, welding, and flying objects/particles. The selection and use of eye protection shall be based on the hazard identified during the hazard assessment. Contact EH&S for assistance in selecting proper protective eyewear.

   Protective eye and face equipment shall comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989, "American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection". "Z87" and the name of the manufacturer shall be stamped on the frame.

   Eye protection shall be worn in areas identified as containing the potential for eye injury and when performing work tasks with potential eye hazards.

   Prescription safety glasses shall be provided to those employees that require prescription glasses when they are assigned to work in potentially hazardous locations. These safety glasses shall be provided at no cost to the employee.

   Personnel wearing contact lenses shall exercise extreme care when working with liquid chemicals, gases, or vapors. Eye protection shall be selected using the same criteria for non-contact wearing personnel. Non-gas permeable contact lenses shall not be worn in these types of operations due to the increased risk of eye injury in the event of an exposure to a chemical.

   The selection of protective eyewear (filter lenses and plates) for welding, cutting, and brazing shall be based on ANSI Z87.1-1968, "American National Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection". Contact EH&S or see the table in OSHA 1910.252 for assistance.

   The selection of protective eyewear for laser users shall be based on ANSI Z136.1-1993, "American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers". Consideration of optical density, laser medium, wavelengths and power output shall be reviewed. Contact EH&S, Radiation Safety Office for assistance in selecting this type of protective equipment.

4. Hand Protection

   Employees shall use appropriate hand protection when hands are exposed to potential hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances, contact with acids or caustics, severe cuts or lacerations, abrasions, punctures, electrical/thermal/chemical burns, and harmful temperature extremes.

   There is no single glove which provides protection against all potential hand hazards, and commonly available materials provide only limited protection against chemical and physical hazards.

   It is important to select the most appropriate glove for a particular application and to determine how long it can be worn effectively. Consider work activities, degree of dexterity required, duration, frequency, degree of exposure, physical stresses, and toxic properties of chemicals.

   When working with liquid hazardous chemicals, gloves such as rubber, nitrile, neoprene, PVC, butyl rubber, latex shall be selected based on permeability, toxicity, and corrosivity of the material. Refer to the FSU Chemical Hygiene Plan for a detailed Glove Selection Chart or contact EH&S or the manufacturer for assistance.

   Leather or cotton gloves shall be worn when there is a potential for injury from being struck against, caught between, cut, or punctured; and materials handling. These types of gloves shall not be worn for protection from liquid or hazardous materials.

   Gloves designed to protect from temperature extremes shall be worn when handling and transferring cryogenic gases and liquids, and when operating high temperature equipment such as furnaces and ovens. Gloves may be specially designed cryogenic gloves, leather, or other suitable (non-asbestos) materials with proper insulating properties.

   Electricians shall wear insulated rubber gloves meeting the requirements of ASTM D120-87 when working with high voltage equipment. These gloves may be worn under leather gloves to prevent punctures. A daily visual inspection must be performed and any damaged (hole, tear, puncture, cut, texture changes, embedded object, etc.) glove shall not be used.

   Gloves should not be worn when operating equipment such as drill presses, lathes, or other equipment with exposed rotating parts. In these instances, the gloves may be entangled in the moving parts causing injury.

5. Body Protection

   A large variety of chemical protective clothing (CPC) types and materials are available for use in the protection of the body from hazards of chemicals and work conditions. Proper selection is based on the type of chemical or work task to be encountered. Contact EH&S for assistance in the selection of CPC.

   Coveralls provide total body protection from potential exposure to hazards. There are many types of materials available based on the hazards involved. Coveralls should be worn when there is an immediate danger from exposure to the hazard involved.

   Splash suits and aprons are available for protection against hazards from liquid materials where there is a lesser degree (than above) of danger from exposure to the material.

   Lab coats should be worn in all laboratories where hazardous chemicals or processes are present. Lab coats provide protection to the individual from minimal exposures to hazardous materials. Lab coats should be removed before leaving the area and stored in a location to keep them clean. Lab coats should be commercially laundered.

   All CPC shall be removed before leaving the assigned work area. Disposable CPC shall be properly disposed of in accordance with the FSU Chemical Hygiene Plan. Non-disposable or re-usable CPC is to be stored in a designated area.

6. Fall Protection - Personal Fall Arrest Systems

   Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

   Exceptions to using personal fall arrest systems:

   • When employees are making an inspection, investigation, or assessment of workplace conditions prior to the actual start of work or after all work is completed.
   • When employees are working from a ladder. Fall protection requirements for employees working from a ladder are located in OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart X.
   • When employees are working from certain types of scaffolds. Fall protection requirements for employees working from a scaffold are located in OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart L.
   • When guardrail or safety net systems are being utilized for fall protection. Requirements for guardrail and safety net systems are located in OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart M.

   Personal fall arrest systems consist of a full body harness(body belts are prohibited), a shock-absorbing lanyard, and a lifeline if applicable. Only locking type snaphooks shall be used as part of a personal fall arrest system. Lifelines are also necessary in certain types of work such as Confined Space Entry or when working in trenches or excavations. Refer to the Confined Space Entry Section of the Safety Manual for further information.

   Harnesses, lanyards and lifelines shall be used only for employee protection. (not for hoisting materials etc.)

   Personal fall arrest systems and components subjected to impact loading shall be immediately removed from service and shall not be used again for employee protection.

   Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service.

7. Respiratory Protection

   Respiratory protective devices shall be worn when the use of engineering controls (fume hoods, exhaust systems, ventilation, isolation, etc.) do not reduce the contaminant levels below the established OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), in emergency response actions, and for voluntary use if exposure is below the PEL.

   Employees that are required to wear respiratory protective equipment shall be trained and have medical approval to wear a respirator prior to using respiratory protection. (exception: nuisance dust masks) Refer to the Respiratory Protection Section of the Safety Manual for further information.

8. Hearing Conservation

   Hearing protection is required in areas where the sound level exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. These areas shall be posted, if feasible, and hearing protective devices shall be readily available for use by personnel and visitors. Hearing protective devices include earplugs and muffs.

   Employees that are required to wear hearing protective equipment shall be trained and have an audiogram prior to using hearing protection equipment. Refer to the Hearing Conservation Section in the Safety Manual for further information.

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Care and Maintenance

Personal protective equipment requires proper cleaning, decontamination, inspection, repair, replacement, and storage. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never use damaged or defective PPE.

1. Head Protection

   Cleaning and decontamination includes the washing of equipment with a mild detergent or bleach solution to prevent the spread of head lice, mites, etc. if equipment is shared. This should be done prior to storage.

   Inspections shall be done prior to each use. Check for proper fit. Insure that there are no cracks, dents, holes, or gouges in the hat. Check all inner fitting straps and adjusting devices. Inspect the hat for signs of contamination or degradation due to exposure to chemicals.

   Repairs by a competent person shall be made to any defective equipment before use. If repairs cannot be made, replace that piece of equipment with an approved device.

   Store in a clean, dry place.

2. Foot Protection

   Inspect foot protection monthly, checking for tears, holes, and other defects.

   Keep footwear as clean as possible. For leather boots, clean and oil them monthly.

   Store in a clean, dry place.

3. Eye and Face Protection

   Inspect eye and face protection before each use. Inspect for cracks, tears, scratches that would impair eyesight, and other defects.

   Clean eye and face protection with mild soap and water. Do not use ammonia, alkaline cleaners, abrasive cleaning compounds, or solvents.

   Store in a clean, dry place.

4. Hand Protection

   Inspect gloves before each use. Check for holes, cracks, tears and other damage.

   Cleaning and decontamination of gloves is normally accomplished by discarding after use. Leather and thermal protection gloves should be re-used, keeping them as clean as possible.

   Store in a clean, dry place.

5. Body Protection

   Inspect chemical protective clothing before each use. Check for tears, holes, degradation, defects, or other damage.

   Most CPC is disposable and should be properly discarded after use. Non-disposable CPC shall be properly decontaminated after each use. Lab coats and other CPC should be laundered by a commercial laundry.

   Store in a clean, dry place.

6. Fall Protection

   Inspect personal fall arrest systems before and after each use. Check for damage, defects, and degradation. Be sure to check connection points such as buckles, D-rings, etc.

   Keep fall protection equipment as clean as possible to facilitate inspection of the equipment.

   Store in a clean, dry place.

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Training

All employees required to wear PPE shall be properly trained.

The training will include, but is not limited to, the following:

• When PPE is necessary.
• What PPE is necessary.
• How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE.
• Limitations of the PPE.
• The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE.

Each affected employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training and the ability to use PPE properly, before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE.

Retraining is required when:

• Any affected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill to wear the assigned PPE properly.
• Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete.
• Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete.

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Recordkeeping

EH&S will retain training documentation.

Individual departments will retain documentation of hazard assessments of the workplace, that will include: identification of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, and the date(s) of the hazard assessment(s).

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References

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR, Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment, 1910.132-.138, 1998; Subpart M - Fall Protection, 1926.500-.503, 1998 and Subpart Q - Welding, Cutting and Brazing, 1926.252, 1998.
2. OSHA Auditing: Federal Compliance Guide, STP Specialty Publishers, Inc., 1996
3. Collective Bargaining Agreement; Florida Public Employees Council 79; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1999
4. Florida Administrative Code 38I-20, Safety and Health Standards

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