OSHA Inspection and Safety Review Meeting for PPE

1. Inspect PPE before each use looking for holes, cracks, dents, tears, and excessive wear.

2. Always store PPE in a clean dry place, protected for the elements.

3. The following topics talk about Head Protection

4. Protective helmets/hard hats are worn when working in an area where there is a potential for head injuries from impact, falling or flying objects, or from electrical shocks or burns.

5. Examples of situations where head protection may be required are: working below other workers who are using tools or equipment that could fall, working around or under conveyors carrying material, working near heavy equipment handling materials that could could fall if not adequately secured, or working near or under exposed electrical wiring.

6. Protective helmets/hard hats worn with the bill in the back is only acceptable if the manufacturer allows it.

7. Stickers can hide signs of damage and should not be used unless approved by the manufacturer.

8. Do not drill holes into, paint or write on your head protection as it can reduce its protection.

9. Protective helmet/hard hat must meet the requirements of ANSI Z89.1. This should be found in the written materials that come with the equipment and stamped or printed on the inside of the equipment.

10. Write the potential hazards to the head and how they will be controlled.

11. The following topics talk about Eye and Face Protection

12. Common hazards to the eyes and face are flying objects, hazardous dusts, vapors, heat, gases, fumes, and liquid splashes.

13. Examples of hazards to the eyes are dust from a saw, chemical splash or arc from a welder.

14. Eye and face protection can be safety glasses, goggles, face shields or any combination of the three.

15. Side shields are a required part of eye protection. They may be integrated into the design of the glasses or separate shields that have to be added to the frame.

16. Prescription safety glasses can be purchased if you need vision correction but remember that regular prescription glasses may not meet the requirements to protect you from flying objects. Ask your provider or check the frame of your glasses for a Z87.1 stamp. This stamp can be found on the inside of the frames of all safety glasses.

17. Write the potential hazards to the eyes/face and how they will be controlled.

18. The following topics are about on Foot Protection

19. Common hazards feet need to be protected from are impact, puncture, hazardous chemicals, electricity, extreme cold and slips/trips/falls.

20. If walking surfaces are contaminated with oil or small particles, footwear should be slip resistant.

21. The inside of safety shoes/boots should be printed with F2413 indicating it meets the requirements for protective footwear.

22. Write the potential hazards to the feet and how they will be controlled.

23. The following topics are about Hand Protection

24. Harm to the hands can be in the form of cuts, abrasions, punctures from objects or burns from chemicals or excessive heat.

25. If protecting hands from cut/abrasion/puncture hazards choose the right ANSI cut level for the task. Cut level A1 can be used for Assembly, Maintenance, Material Handling, and Shipping and Receiving. Cut level A2 and A3 can be used for Assembly, Appliance Manufacturing, Automotive, Construction, Maintenance, Material Handling, and Metal Handling. Cut level A4, A5 and A6 can be used for Appliance Manufacturing, Automotive, Construction, Glass Handling, Machining, Metal Handling, Metal Stamping and Paper Production. Cut level A7, A8 and A9 can be used for Assembly or movement of large, bulky or heavy objects with sharp edges. Also recommended for Assembly or movement of items that are difficult to grip. Cut levels can be found printed on the glove.

26. Write potential hazards to the hands and how they will be controlled.

27. The following topics are about Body Protection

28. Hazards to the body are usually protected by coveralls. They may or may not have foot covering, gloves and a hood built into them. Lab coats are also often used for body protection.

29. The material used in the coveralls depends on the hazard which can be dust, particulate, light splash, heavy splash, hazardous liquid or any combination of these items.

30. Make sure that employee clothing, coveralls, lab coats, etc can not become entangled in machinery.

31. Write potential hazards to the body and how they will be controlled.

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