4.7 Personal Protective Equipment Policy
Purpose
This policy outlines the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at [Employer/Organization Name].
Policy
[Employer/Organization Name] will provide for, and ensure the usage of PPE. It is the duty of all employees to use this PPE as required, according to the Safe Operating Procedures of Equipment, Best Practices, and the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials. It is management’s responsibility to ensure that this equipment is properly selected, fitted, maintained, and that employees are using it correctly and consistently. Further guidelines are provided below.
PPE Guidelines
Footwear
All employees must wear Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved, steel-toed safety boots or shoes.
Gloves
All [Employer/Organization Name] employees engaged in a work practice that has the potential to damage the hands, fingers and/or wrist must wear the proper gloves to prevent this type of injury. The type of gloves available to employees include, but are not limited to, heat and/or cut resistant gloves (cloth or leather), chemical resistant gloves (rubber-latex, nitrile or neoprene), and vibration dampening.
Eye Protection
CSA approved safety glasses or goggles must be worn:
When using chemicals that may be airborne or splashed into the eyes.
Whenever using a tool or performing a task that increases danger to the eyes (e.g. hammer and chisel, drill, hydraulic system service, etc).
All employees will receive training on proper usage of safety glasses or goggles.
Note: It would be prudent for everyone to wear safety goggles in areas where eye damage can occur at all times. However, there are times when this is not the best practice (e.g. completing paperwork at a desk, etc), and therefore we have not mandated it at this time. When in doubt, wear safety glasses.
Hearing Protection
All employees and contractors that work in a noisy environment including sound levels at or above 85 decibels is required to wear hearing protection. At [Employer/Organization Name], hearing protection is to be worn where needed. As a general rule, if you cannot carry on a conversation with a person standing beside you, hearing protection should be worn.
Head Protection
Hard hats will be worn for protection where there is a risk of head injury. Situations where head injury is likely include working:
Below other employees or machinery (such as overhead cranes)
Around or under conveyor belts
Where there may be overhead obstructions
Depending on the task, the appropriate type and class of hard hat must be worn. [Employer/Organization Name] must ensure employees wear the proper hard hat.
Classification (Type and Class) / Level of ProtectionClass C / Impact protective headwear that does not provide dielectric protection.
Class E / Impact protective headwear that provides protection up to 20,000V.
Class G / Impact protective headwear that provides protection up to 2,200V.
Type 1 / Impact and penetration protection for crown only.
Type 2 / Impact and penetration protection for crown and lateral impact.
Employees who wear hard hats must ensure they fit properly; they should not be loose or tight, as this may hinder their performance and effectiveness. Hard hats must also be inspected daily for cracks, dents, cuts, gouges and signs of wear.
Respirators (Half-Mask Cartridge type)
All employees working in the breathing space of any airborne toxic material must wear a CSA approved respirator, with the proper filter cartridges designed for the specific toxic material.
Generally, respirators must be worn when handling or using any chemical, and the chemical MSDS states that a respirator is required.
The airborne concentrations are above the exposure limit.
All employees required to use respirators will be fully and properly trained on how to use them, including maintenance and proper fit testing.
[Employer/Organization Name] will provide respirators and cartridges for all applicable employees. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring this equipment is available to employees.
Welding and Hot Work PPE Requirements
-1. Welding helmet, hand shield, or goggles
-1. Respirator (protection from fumes and oxides)
-1. Fire or flame-resistant clothing, aprons
-1. Hearing protection (ear muffs or plugs)
-1. Insulated gloves
-1. Rubber-soled, CSA approved safety boots
Battery Charging/Handling PPE Requirements
-1. Acid-resistant apron
-1. Acid-resistant gloves
-1. Chemical splash goggles
-1. Face shield
Fall Protection
-1. Personal fall protection equipment is mandatory when at risk of a fall greater than 2.4 metres, or from any height if at risk of a fall into a hazardous substance, liquid, process, machinery, or other similar hazard.
-1. All personal fall protection equipment will be inspected prior to use. If, for any reason, there are any safety defects, violation or concerns, remove that equipment from service and notify the supervisor immediately.
Sun Protection
-1. Employees completing work where there is a greater risk of ultra-violet (UV) radiation exposure shall be provided with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater. It should be applied to all exposed skin areas, 20 to 30 minutes prior to going outside, and reapplied every 2 hours. If the employee prefers they may choose to wear their own sunscreen.
-1. Sunglasses with 100% ultraviolet (UV) protection.
-1. Appropriate clothing, including light-weight, tightly woven shirts and long pants will block most of the sun’s rays. Light coloured cotton is most comfortable under hot conditions. Clothing should fit comfortably and not be too tight. However, loose clothing should not be worn if there is any chance you will be working around machinery.
-1. Hats that shade the ears, face, temples, and back of the neck. Standard baseball caps do not offer much protection against the sun. You need to add a neck shade to protect the back of the neck and the ears.
Industrial Hygiene
-1. When contact with any chemicals or batteries are made, it is highly recommended that you wash your hands and any exposed skin that may have come in contact with the product involved.
-1. PPE should be stored in a manner to remain in good condition.
-1. If at any time, a piece of PPE becomes damaged or made ineffective, it needs to be brought to a supervisor and removed from use immediately. The piece of PPE involved needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
-1. Protective clothing or other safety devices that have been worn next to the skin will be cleaned and disinfected prior to being worn by another employee.
Replacement Process
The following steps should be taken to ensure that the appropriate PPE is always available:
Supervisors must check equipment during regular inspections and order replacements when supplies are low.
Employees are to inform supervisors when supplies are low and PPE is needed.
Purchasing must consider the PPE Policy prior to ordering.
Additional Resources
CSA W117.2-06 Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes
CSA Z195-09 Protective Footwear
CSA Z94.1-05 Industrial Protective Headwear - Performance, Selection, Care and Use
CSA Z94.2-02 Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care and Use
CSA Z94.3-07 Eye and Face Protectors
CSA Z94.4-11 Selection, Use and Care of Respirators
CSA Z259.1-05 (R2010) - Body Belts and Saddles for Work Positioning and Travel Restraint
CSA Z259.2.2-98 (R2009) - Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall-Arrest Systems
CSA Z259.2.3-12 Descent Devices
CSA Z259.2.5-12 Fall Arresters and Vertical Lifelines
CSA Z259.10-12 Full Body Harnesses
CSA Z259.11-05 (R2010) - Energy Absorbers and Lanyards
CSA Z259.12-11 Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)
Document Management
Effective Date:Revision Date: