PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) PROGRAM

This written program documents steps has taken to avoid orminimize injury resulting from
various occupational hazards present at the work sites by to protecting workers through the
use of PPE when the hazards cannot be eliminated.
The Safety and Health Committee has overall responsibility for the program. They will
designate appropriate supervisors to assist in training employees and monitoring their
use of PPE. The Comittee will review and update the program as necessary.
The Safety and Health Committee believes it is our obligation to provide a hazard free
environment to our employees. Any employee encountering hazardous conditions must be
protected against the potential hazards. The purpose of protective clothing and equipment
(PPE) is to shield or isolate individuals from chemical, physical, biological, or other hazards
that may be present in the workplace.
Establishing an overall written PPE program detailing how employees use PPE makes it
easier to ensure that they use PPE properly in the workplace and document our PPE efforts
in the event of DOLE inspection.
PPE program covers:

Purpose
Hazard assessment
PPE selection
Employee training
Cleaning and maintenance of PPE
PPE specific information

Purpose of Program
The basic element of any PPE program is an in depth evaluation of the equipment needed
to protect against the hazards at the workplace; this is the initial hazard assessment for
which written documentation is required. Two basic objectives of any PPE program should
be to protect the wearer from incorrect use and/or malfunction of PPE. The purpose of this
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program is to document the hazard assessment,
protective measures in place, and PPE in use at the work site. PPE devices are not to be
relied on as the only means to provide protection against hazards, but are used in
conjunction with guards, engineering controls, and sound manufacturing practices. If
possible, hazards will be abated first through engineering controls, with PPE to provide
protection against hazards, which cannot reasonably be abated otherwise.

Hazard Assessment
In order to assess the need for PPE the following steps are taken:
1. The Safety and Health Committee, with other appropriate employees, identifies job
classifications where exposures occur or could occur. The Coordinator or designee
examines the following records to identify and rank jobs according to exposure
hazards:

Injury/illness records
First aid logs
2. The The Safety and Health Committee conducts a walk through survey of workplace
areas where hazards exist or may exist to identify sources of hazards to employees.
They consider these basic hazard categories:

Impact
Heat
Penetration
Harmful dust
Compression (roll over)
Light (optical) radiation
Chemical
During the walk through survey the The Safety and Health Committee observes and records
the following hazards along with PPE currently in use (type and purpose): the walk through
survey has been done and is separately documented.
1. Following the walk through survey, the The Safety and Health Committee
organizes the data and information for use in the assessment of hazards to
analyze the hazards and enable proper selection of protective equipment.
2. An estimate of the potential for injuries is now made. Each of the basic hazards is
reviewed and a determination made as to the frequency, type, level of risk, and
seriousness of potential injury from each of the hazards found. The existence of
any situations where multiple exposures occur or could occur are considered.
3. The The Safety and Health Committee documents the hazard assessment via a
written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying
that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment,
and that the document is a certification of hazard assessment.

Selection Guidelines
Once any hazards have been identified and evaluated through hazard assessment, the
general procedure for selecting protective equipment is to:
1. Become familiar with the potential hazards and the type of protective equipment
(PPE) that are available, and what they can do.
2. Compare types of equipment to the hazards associated with the environment.
3. Select the PPE, which ensures a level of protection greater than the minimum
required to protect employees from the hazards.
4. Fit the user with proper, comfortable, well fitting protection and instruct employees
on care and use of the PPE. It is very important that the users are aware of all
warning labels for and limitations of their PPE. (See the Employee Training
guidelines outlined in the next section of this program for a more detailed
description of training procedures.)
It is the responsibility of The Safety and Health Committee to reassess the workplace
hazard situation as necessary, to identify and evaluate new equipment and processes,
to review accident records, and reevaluate the suitability of previously selected PPE.
This reassessment will take place as needed, but at least annually.
Elements, which should be considered in the reassessment, include:

Adequacy of PPE program

Accidents and illness experience
Levels of exposure (this implies appropriate exposure monitoring)
Adequacy of equipment selection
Number of person hours that workers wear various protective ensembles
Adequacy of training/fitting of PPE
Program costs
The adequacy of program records
Recommendation for program improvement and modification
Coordination with overall safety and health program

Employee Training
The immediate Supervisor provides training for each employee who is required to use
personal protective equipment. Training includes:

When PPE is necessary

What PPE is necessary
How to wear assigned PPE

 Limitations of PPE
The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of assigned PPE
Employees must demonstrate an understanding of the training and the ability to use the
PPE properly before they are allowed to perform work requiring the use of the equipment.
Employees are prohibited from performing work without donning appropriate PPE to protect
them from the hazards they will encounter in the course of that work.
If management has reason to believe an employee does not have the understanding or skill
required, the employer must retrain. Since an employee's supervisor is in the best position
to observe any problems with PPE use by individual employees, management will seek this
person's input when making this determination. Circumstances where retraining may be
required include changes in the workplace or changes in the types of PPE to be used which
would render previous training obsolete.
The supervisor certifies in writing that the employee has received and understands the PPE
training.
Because failure to comply with our policy concerning PPE can result in PEOSHA citations
and fines as well as employee injury, an employee who does not comply with this program
will be disciplined for noncompliance in accordance with our personnel policies.
Cleaning and Maintenance
It is important that all PPE be kept clean and properly maintained by the employee to whom
it is assigned. Cleaning is particularly important for eye and face protection where dirty or
fogged lenses could impair vision. PPE is to be inspected, cleaned, and maintained by
employees at regular intervals as part of their normal job duties so that the PPE provides the
requisite protection. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring compliance with cleaning
responsibilities by employees. If PPE is for general use, the Department Head or his
designee has responsibility for cleaning and maintenance. If a piece of PPE is in need of
repair or replacement it is the responsibility of the employee to bring it to the immediate
attention of his or her supervisor or Safety Delegate. It is against work rules to use PPE that
is in disrepair or not able to perform its intended function. Contaminated PPE which cannot
be decontaminated is disposed of in a manner that protects employees from exposure to
hazards.
PPE Specific Information
Eye and face protection -- Goggles and face shields
It is the policy of OSH that as a condition of employment, all regular full time, part time, and
temporary employees working in designated work areas and/or job assignments are
required to wear ANSI approved goggles/face shields to help prevent eye and face injuries,
including those resulting from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic
liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or light radiation

Foot Protection-Proper Shoes

It is the policy of OSH that as a condition of employment, all regular full time, part time, and
temporary employees working in designated work areas and/or job assignments are
required to wear heavy duty foot wear to help prevent foot injuries, ankle injuries, slips, and
falls. No sneakers will be used.
Hand Protection -- Gloves
It is the policy of OSH that as a condition of employment, all regular full time, part time, and
temporary employees working in designated work areas and/or job assignments are
required to wear gloves to help prevent hand injuries, including cuts, burns, chemical
exposure, for example.
All employees required to wear protective gloves must routinely inspect and properly care
for their assigned gloves (if the gloves are not disposable).
Head protection -- Hard hats
It is the policy of OSH that as a condition of employment, all regular full time, part time, and
temporary employees working in designated work areas and/or job assignments are
required to wear ANSI approved hard hats to help prevent head injuries, including those
resulting from falling objects, bumping the head against a fixed object, or electrical shock.
All employees required to wear hard hats must routinely inspect and properly care for their
hard hats.
Additional Personal Protective equipment
All employees are required to wear traffic safety vests (or orange coats or orange shirts
worn as an outside garment) when working in or adjacent to traffic. Other PPE including ear
protection, chaps, respiratory equipment and/or other protective equipment will be worn iin
accordance with OSHA regulations and standard safe work practices. All employees are
responsible for routine inspection and maintenance of their equipment

LETTERHEAD

I have received the personal protective equipment listed below and have been trained in its
use. I understand that if equipment is broken, I will return it to my supervisor for a
replacement at no cost to me. If I lose the equipment, I will be responsible for paying for the
replacement equipment.
I also understand that I am responsible for wearing the equipment as required for safe job
performance. Failure to abide by workplace safety rules may subject me to disciplinary
action.
EQUIPMENT

DATE
ISSUED

INITIAL
TRAINING
DATE

GLOVES
FOOT WEAR
HARD HAT
EYE PROTECTION
EAR PROTECTION
SAFETY VEST
RAIN GEAR
RESPIRATOR
OTHER
SIGNED __________________________________________________
DATE _______________________
SUPERVISOR _____________________________________________

DATE _______________________
PERSONALPROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TRACKING
A annual assessment of the work place and personal protective needs should be done by the supervisor. Based on this
assessment, personal protective equipment should be issued. The date of issue should be entered in the appropriate block. If
the equipment is not need for that individual "NA" should be entered in the appropriate block. If "other is used, the piece of
equipment issued should be described..

DEPARTMENT

EMPLOYEE NAME

LAST
ASSESSMENT

GLOVES

FOOT
WEAR

HARD
HAT

EYE
EAR
PROTECT PROTECT

SAFETY
VEST

RAIN GEAR RESPIRATORY

OTHER

PPE HAZARD ASSESSMENT SURVEY

Facility: _____________________________________________________________
Location of Hazard Assessment: ________________________________________
Date of Hazard Assessment: ____________________________________________
Hazard Assessment Conducted by: ______________________________________
Reviewed by: _________________________________________________________
Comments:
__________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Approved by: _________________________________________________________
Comments:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

HEAD PROTECTION

YES

NO

Falling objects or potential for objects dropping

Impact from flying objects
Penetration from moving objects
Low clearances (where one may bump into
something)
Welding
Electrical Shock hazard
Recommended Personal Protective Head Equipment
(Hard Hat)
Examples: (1) Class A (2) Class B (3) Class C (4)
Bump Hat
(5) Welders Helmet (6) Other
Comments/Recommendations: Engineering controls, work practices, etc.

N/A

EQUIP
TYPE

FOOT PROTECTION

YES

NO

N/A

EQUIP
TYPE

N/A

EQUIP
TYPE

Falling or rolling objects

Sources of sharp objects
Objects piercing sole nails, etc.
Exposure to electrical hazards
Movement of tools, stock or equipment
Hoisting/lifting of materials or equipment
Recommended Personal Protective Equipment
Examples: (1) Steel toed boot-leather (2) Steel toed
boot-rubber
(3) Metatarsal footwear (4) Electrical resistant
hazard footwear
(5) Sole puncture resistant footwear (6) Other
Comments/Recommendations: Engineering controls, work practices, etc.

HAND PROTECTION

YES

NO

Cuts, abrasions
Sharp objects
Contact with chemicals cold solvents, cleaners
Acids/caustics absorption chemical burns
Punctures
Thermal burns
Harmful temperature extremes
Recommended Personal Protective Equipment
Examples: (1) Cotton (2) Leather (3) Jersey (4)
Canvas
(5) Terry cloth (6) Chemical, flame, puncture
resistant (7) Other
Comments/Recommendations: Engineering controls, work practices, etc.

HEARING PROTECTION
(Based on noise level monitoring)

YES

NO

Exposure to continuous, sharp outbursts or

intermittent noise
Exposure to diesel engine/pump operations pumps,
saws, generators
Exposure to vibratory noise
Arc gauging/welding
Compressed air/exhaust relief valve discharge
Machines in a confined area
Grinders, rotary drills, sanders
Impact tools jackhammer
Heavy equipment operation backhoes, excavators,
loaders
Recommended Personal Protective Equipment
Examples: (1) Earmuffs (2) Earplugs (3) Canal caps
(4) Other
Comments/Recommendations: Engineering controls, work practices, etc.

N/A

EQUIP
TYPE

EYE & FACE PROTECTION

YES

NO

Flying or falling particles/objects

Molten metal
Liquid chemicals (under pressure)
Acids/caustics/corrosives splashing liquids
Chemical gasses/vapors
Powders, dusts, mists
Light radiation/high temperature exposure
Using compressed air
Welding/hot sparks/slag
Grinding
Machining
Drilling
Sawing
Chipping or breaking
Spray painting
Recommended Personal Protective Equipment
Examples:
(1) Safety glasses, w/o ss (2) Safety glasses,
w/ ss (3) Goggles
(4) Face Shield (5) Welding glasses (6)
Welding helmet
(7) Special purpose lens (8) Other
Comments/Recommendations: Engineering controls, work practices, etc.

N/A

EQUIP
TYPE