Most of the minor accidents are due to material handling, striking against objects, hurt by falling bodies, falling or slipping, injury by hot substances or chemicals and neglecting PPE. Such accidents can certainly be reduced to great extent by the effective use of appropriate PPE.
The PPE provides good defense against hazards of toxic exposure, oxygen deficiency, dusting, chemical splashes, steam, water and liquids, flying particles, hot substances, radiation, sharp edges, welding, cutting, grinding, striking against and stepping over objects, glare, personal falls and injury due to falling bodies, noise, scrap cleaning, material handling, opening of pipe lines or any hazardous work, electric shocks, burns and firefighting. Many fatal accidents are caused due to these reasons and use of appropriate ' PPE can prevent or lessen many of them. It is always safer to improve the working conditions by engineering controls first. Then only the use of PPE may be recommended. It is the second line of defense.
Need of PPE -
1. Chances of failure of engineering controls, materials, process, equipment and safety
devices cannot be denied and, in those circumstances, the PPE can act .as a barrier
between the man and hazard and to save from the injury.
2. There are certain operations or accidental situations where engineering controls are less
possible and PPE becomes necessary. For repair or maintenance or to enter into toxic or oxygen deficient atmosphere, or while working at height or doing jobs like welding, cutting, grinding, chipping, PPE gives good protection.
3. It effectively avoids the contact of dangerous substances, noise, vibration and radiation.
4. It protects from atmospheric contaminants.
5. It is a legal as well as moral duty to provide suitable PPE.
Need of the PPE can be identify -
1. Visual and foreseeable hazards.
2. Accident experiences.
3. Report of the safety committee/ representatives.
4. Safety audits, surveys, sampling, job safety analysis and risk assessment.
5. Legal requirements and remarks of the authorities.
6. Record of the medical department.
Selection of the PPE-
Once it is decided that PPE is needed,
1. Select proper type of equipment and then
2. Make it sure that the supervisor sees to it that the worker uses and maintains-it correctly.
Proper selection, training and use of PPE are essential.
Prerequisites while selecting the PPE's -
1. It should give adequate protection against the nature, severity and type of hazard.
2. It should be of minimum weight, should give minimum discomfort with protective
efficiency.
3. Attachment to the body should be flexible yet effective.
4. The wearer should not be restricted in movement" or perceptions required for the job.
5. It should be durable and attractive.
6. It should not cause any hazard through its material, design, defect, use or failure.
7. It should conform Indian Standards and tests required
8. It should be easy to clean, repair and maintain. The parts, piece and service should be
easily available.
Statutory Provisions and Applicable Standards-
No specific personal protective equipment is named by the Factories Act, but working conditions mentioned in sections 14, 30, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 87, III and 114 are such that free of charge PPE should be provided by the occupier for the protection from hazards due to dust, fume, gas, Vapour, flying particles, glare, revolving machinery, hot or dangerous contents, entry in confined space, explosive or flammable atmosphere, fire, dangerous operations and hazardous processes. Rules prescribed under above sections provide further details. Noise induced hearing loss is an occupational disease under the 3rd Schedule of the Factories Act.
OSHA standards prescribe tremendous details for PPE. requires noise reduction below 90 dBA or to provide ear protectors to workers and their auditory examination by a doctor. Sch. 27 required protection against cotton dust.
Some IS on PPE are as under:
1) Head - Helmets, industrial safety 2925, for two wheelers 4151, non-metal for police force
9562, wooden head- form for testing of helmets 7692, miner's cap lamps 5679 3
2) Eyes and Face- Guide for selection of eye, face and ear protection 8520, 8521, maintenance and care 8940, for welding 1179, methods of test 7524 (Part 1 & 2), eye protectors, filters 5983, safety glass 2553, eye and face showers 10592
3) Ears - Guide for selection 8520, ear protectors 9167, earmuffs, method for measurement
6229
4) Hands - Guide for selection 8807, Gauntlets and mittens, leather 2573, gloves - safety
6994, rubber - electrical 4770, surgical 4148, postmortem 4149
5) Feet & Legs - Footwear, selection 6519,10667, Ankle boots for general purposes 583, boots and shoes safety, leather 1989, leather for firemen 4128, rubber - canvas for miners
3976, 10665, gaiters, protective 2472, knee boots, rubber 3736, 3738, leather for
leg guard 3946, toe caps, steel for footwear 5852, boots for oilfield workmen 9885
(Part I & 2), footwear for steel plants 10348, for mines and heavy metal industry
13295, safety shoes for women workers in mines and steel plants 11225, footwear with direct molding sole 11226, rubber footwear 11264, PVC boots 12254, chemical resistant 13292, 13695, PVC boots, oils and fats resistant 13038, code of practice for manufacture 13295, lined antistatic rubber footwear 13575, wooden, heavy duty 5520, rubber lined boots 5557, conducting 13996
6) Body - Guide for selection of body protection 8519, aprons - rubberized acid and alkali
resistant 4501, rubber for hospital use 6407, lead rubber, X-ray protective 7352,
Clothing - fire resistant 4355, fire (flame) resistant suit 7612, leather 6153, sheath
rubber 3701, fabrics, PVC coated for foul weather 3322, belt and strap, leather,
lineman's safety 3521, material (nylon webbing) for aircraft safety belts 8947,
maintenance and care of safety clothing 8990, evaluation of whole body vibration
13276 (Part I to 3), mechanical vibration and shock affecting man 13281
7) Lungs - Glossary of terms relating to respiratory protective devices 8347, selection, use and
maintenance of respiratory, protective devices 9623, colour identification of air purifying canisters and cartridges 8318, mouth-piece assemblies 14170, full face mask 14166, threads for face pieces 14138. Respirators - chemical cartridge 8522, canister type (gas mask) 8523, filter type for particulate matter 9473, CO filter 9563, bag type, positive pressure, manually operated 6194.
Breathing apparatus 10245 -
Part 1 : Closed circuit (0, cylinder).
Part 2 : Open circuit.
Part 3 : Fresh air line.
Part 4 : Escape type, short duration, self contained.
Breathing apparatus for fire brigade self contained 1910, Resuscitators for use with humans
13366, life jackets 6685
Personal Protective Equipments generally divided in two groups broadly -
1. Non Respiratory
2. Respiratory (See Part 2 the blog)
Non Respiratory -
Table Selection and Classification of PPE according to the body part and hazards:
Supply, Use ,Care & maintenance of non respiratory -
Following precautions are useful for training and practice
1. Hazards at workplace must be thoroughly studied, gas, oxygen, contamination, noise etc.
should be measured and their level should be minimized by engineering controls first and
then only the need of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) should be ascertained.
2. PPE should be kept ready and in sufficient number. Gloves, shoes, goggles, aprons, earplugs etc. should be given individually and kept clean by the worker in his locker.
3.PPE should be of approved (IS) quality and tested before use. Manufacturer's instructions,
limitations, time limit if any, procedure or method of use, symptoms of malfunctioning, emergency action if it does not work and instructions for maintenance and care should be well
understood before using any PPE.
4. Written instructions should be prepared and displayed or given to the workers for the safe use of the equipment. After medical examination of the worker, need and type of the equipment shall be reconsidered. Change if any, should be incorporated.
5. Laziness in using PPE is not good. A cloth in place of effective respirator is insufficient.
Avoiding PPE because the use is for a few seconds or minutes, is unsafe.
6. Loose PPE should be kept away from the moving machine parts.
7. While entering in a tank or working at height, safety belt must be worn, in addition to good
sitting and supporting arrangement (safe platform or fencing). Gas and oxygen level should
be measured and kept safe as far as possible. PPE shall be selected based on its level.
8. Cotton clothing in hot days, woolen clothing in cold days and tight-fitting clothing while
working near machinery are 'basic requirement. Synthetic cloths are unsuitable to health. PPE
on cotton clothing gives more comfort.
9. A man working on electricity should wear nonconductive helmet. Conductive shoes or
clothing are required to discharge static electricity induced in a human body.
10. Earplugs should be washed with soap and' water, dried and put into its box after every use. Earplugs used by others should be sterilized before use. Earplugs should be supplied
individually to the workers. Ear muffs should also be cleaned before and after use.
11. Fire rescue (proximity) suit should be worn by two persons at a time so that one may act as a standby. Air cylinder and lifeline should also be kept ready.
12. Safety belt should be kept clean, dry and in sound condition. Its
connections and wear and tear should be checked before every use. Its free end should be tied with a fixed (immovable) structure while working at height or given in another person's hands while entering in a tank.
a. Strength members of a safety belt should be of very sound material other than leather.
Buckles should withstand 1315 kg tensile test and be quickly openable.
b. Lifeline should not be of pieces tied together. Nylon rope of '/2-inch diameter is safe. Wire
rope should be made oily before and after using it in acidic atmosphere. Metallic life line
shall not be used near electric work.
13. Nothing should be kept in helmets. It should be checked for crack and proper fitting.
14. Contact lenses are to be protected against gas, Vapour, fumes, excessive heat, molten metal and chemical splashes. Therefore, safety goggles over the lens or numbered glass are always necessary. Safety. goggles are also necessary with the face shield. When goggles or face shield are splashed with chemicals, they should be washed by a water shower before taking out from the face. Plastic lenses are more useful than glasses. Side shields are useful.
15.Safety toe shoes should withstand 300 ft pound impact load. Resistance of conductive shoe should not exceed 450 kilo ohms.
a. Electrician's boots should not have any metal parts, and steel toe if any, should be insulated.
b. Sole with flexible metal sheet inside, give protection against nails and sharp edges.
16. Where full hand gloves are not required, stalls for fingers, mittens or pads for palms, and
another PPE for thumb, wrist, palm and elbow are also available.
a. Leather gloves are Useful to work with glass or metal sheet or sharp edges but not useful to
work above 65 °C temperature.
b. Natural rubber is not suitable to work with oil, grease or organic solvent.
c. Hand gloves with any metal part are not suitable for electric work. High voltage tested rubber gloves are suitable for such work.
17.After the use is over, PPE should not be left anywhere. They should be returned to the proper person or put in a cupboard meant for it.
18. Arrangement for keeping, cleaning, testing and disposal of PPE should be provided and every such person should be properly trained in addition to the user.
NON-RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT IN DETAILS
Head and Hair Protection:
Head protectors are hard hats, caps and helmets made of aluminum, PVC fiber glass, laminated plastic or vulcanized fiber. They may be fitted with brackets for fixing welding masks, protective face screen or a lamp. The hats and caps are provided with replaceable
harness which provides sufficient clearance between the top of the head and shell. Selection is as follows:
Soft caps and hoods are also used for protection against heat, spark and other dangerous materials and are made of appropriate materials. Sometime hoods are made with rig frame which is held away from the head.
Long hair or beards may be caught in moving machine parts (e.g. belts, chain, in-running
nips etc.) while seeing or leaning down or by heavy static charges. Protective caps covering the hairs are useful. Hair net is not a full protection. The hair cap should be of flame- retardant
material for protection against sparks or hot metal. It should be cool, lightweight, adjustable and with visor in front.
Ear Protection:
Noise level above 90 dBA is hazardous for an exposure more than 8 hrs./day or 48
hrs./week. It may cause deafness, fatigue, loss of efficiency, irritation and also loss of hearing.
Noise level can be measured by a noise average meter or a noise dose meter. Ear plugs or Ear muffs reduce to @ 25 to 40 dBA. Ear plug is made of plastic, rubber or polyurethane foam. Ear muffs covers external ear and provides better attenuation than ear plug.
Face and Eye Protection:
Eye injuries can be caused by mechanical, chemical, thermal and radiation hazards such as dusts, flying particles, splashes and harmful radiation. Eye protectors are safety spectacles, mono goggles, impact goggles, welding goggles, foundry goggles, chemical goggles, gas tight goggles, face shields, welding helmets etc.
Utility and characteristics of eye protectors are shown in Table
Eye and face protection standards are provided for - Rigid and non-rigid welding helmets.
Welding hand shields. Attachments like lift fronts, chin rests, aprons, magnifiers, snoods etc.
Face-shields, Flammability, Goggles for welder, cutter, chipper (eye cups) and dust & splashes and Spectacles of metal, plastic or combination.
Face Protection: Plastic face shield with acrylic visor, and Daric guard with fiber/PVC head band, with adjustable head gear helmet attached to face shield. Welding screen shield. Furnace masks. Large vision red vinyl goggles with Perspex lens and sponge lining.
Laser eyewear should be marked with optical density values and wavelengths for which they are to be used. Laser glasses or goggles designed for specific wavelengths should not be used for different wavelengths of laser radiation.
Hand and Arm Protection:
Protection of hands and arms are required when workers have to handle materials having sharp end, sharp edges, hot and molten metals, chemicals and corrosive substances. The protective equipment may be gauntlet gloves, wrist gloves, mittens, hand pads, thumb and finger guards and sleeves. Gloves, hand leathers, arm protectors, finger stalls, mittens etc. should not be used near moving machinery or machine parts. Selection guideline is given in following table:
Selection of Gloves:
Glove material selection should be asunder:
1. Natural rubber gloves are stretchable and highly resistant to punctures. They perform well
in mild caustics and ketone-based solutions and in temperatures ranging from 0°F to 300
"F. These gloves work well for job which require handling rough materials or sharp-edged
objects such as plate glass and lumber.
2. Neoprene is a premium-grade, synthetic rubber. Gloves coated with neoprene are resistant
to strong acids, oils, grease, solvents and caustics. They perform well in temperatures from
0°F to 300 °F.
3. Nitrile is a super synthetic compound available in either a smooth or rough finish. They
perform well in temperatures from 25°F to 300 "F. Nitrile coated gloves offer superior abrasion, snag and puncture resistance for tasks such as handling coarse building materials
and rough castings.
4. Viton gloves are especially useful for resisting chemical permeation from chlorinated and
aromatic solvents as well as many other liquids and vapors.
5. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic gloves resist a broad range of chemicals and abrasives.
They provide ample flexibility and durability in temperatures ranging from 25°F to 150 °F.
PVC coated gloves are ideal for jobs which involve handling rough machine parts, castings
or petrochemicals.
6. Butyl rubber gloves offer high permeation resistance to many gases and vapors.
7. Latex gloves are not appropriate for primary chemical resistance but offer good protection
from standard grit/grime.
Hand Protectors:
Foot & Leg Protection:
Some typical risks are handling of heavy materials, caustic and corrosive liquids, wet conditions, molten metal’s, etc. Common foot and leg protective equipment are
safety shoes or boots, leggings and foot guards. Leg guards (e.g. Cricketer type) are used to protect - shins against impact. Knee pads are worn by mold lofts men and
others who do continual kneeling.
Selection is as follows:
Safety shoes/boots may be conductive, nonconductive or spark resistant. Rubber boots are useful to work in wet conditions, steel toe boots against impact and puncture resistant soles to walk on surfaces having nails, sharp objects etc.
Conductive shoes allow draining of static charges and non-ferrous shoes reduce possibility
of friction sparks and much useful in fire/explosion prone area. Conductive footwear resistance should not exceed 450 kilo ohms.
Conductive shoes are used where floors are nonconductive and grounded such as in
manufacture of certain explosive compounds or while cleaning tanks that have contained solvent or volatile hydrocarbons. These shoes have conductive soles and non-ferrous metal parts.
Foundry workers should wear gaiter or congress type safety shoes which have no fasteners
or lashes and rapidly removable. The tops of the shoes should be covered by full pant leg, spats or leggings to keep out molten metal. Electricians need insulated shoes with non-metal parts. Leather shoes are useful to work in wet condition. Wooden soles to walk on hot surfaces and rubber shoes for working with acids and alkalis but not with solvents which dissolve the rubber.
Feet Protection
|
Hazards
|
Protection
|
|
Falling, rolling objects and materials
|
Shoes with steel
toe-caps. Aluminum, steel fiber or plastic instep to protect top of
feet
|
|
Sharp
cutting edges, wood chips, glass shards, nails
|
Steel spring in –soles.
|
|
Chemicals,
solvents, alkalis, caustics, bleaches, cutting oils and compounds, grease,
creosol.
|
Non-soluble natural
rubber, vinyl, plastic footwear, synthetic rubber, neoprene, cord or cork
soles
|
|
Oily floors
|
Synthetic rubber or chrome leather soles
|
|
Hot surfaces, sparks, metal splashes
|
Heat-resistant
soles, slip-on wooden sandals over shoes; foundry boots with elastic band or
buckle for quick removal; trouser legs rolled down over boot tops
|
|
Extreme heat and direct flame
|
Insulated or
aluminized over-shoes or boots of fire resistant material
|
|
Fungal infection from prolonged exposure to water
|
Lined rubber shoes.
Silicone- treated leather or rubber shoes for minor or occasional
wetness
|
|
Sparks can ignite flammable gases, liquids and
explosives
|
Shoes with non-ferrous
metal parts, steel toes covered with non-sparking material.
|
|
Static electricity built
up in the body can ignite volatile material
|
Shoes with special
conductive soles of cork, leather etc.
|
|
Skids and slips; icy surfaces
|
Cleated, wooden, non-slip
or neoprene soles. Slip-on non – skid sandals; strap – on cleats.
|
|
Live circuits or equivalent
|
Electrically non-conductive standard safety shoes.
|
|
Sanitation hazards; Contamination and infection
|
Special plastic over
shoes; paper or shower shoes. Disposable strictly not to be re-used.
|
Safety footwear must be
carefully chosen for maximum protection and its suitability for the particular
hazard. Care and proper maintenance are of vital importance.
Footwear must be regularly
inspected. Worn-out or defective shoes should be immediately repaired or
replaced. Defective footwear should never be worn. Footwear must always be kept
clean and dry.
Material for Knee Pads, Leggings etc.-
|
SR
|
Material
|
Protects against
|
|
1
|
Asbestos
|
Sparks, hot materials, heat.
|
|
2
|
Chrome leather
|
Sparks, hot materials, hot liquids, flying particles, cuts,
abrasions.
|
|
3
|
Flame proofed Duck
|
Sparks, hot materials, heat, flying particles,
machinery.
|
|
4
|
Plastic
|
Dermatitis, hot liquids, moisture, acids, alkalis.
|
|
5
|
Rubber
|
Dermatitis, hot
liquids, moisture, acids, alkalis, electric shock
|
|
6
|
Fiber metals
|
Sparks, flying objects, flying, particles, cuts, abrasions,
machinery.
|
|
7
|
Chemical resistant material
|
Acids and alkalis
|
|
8
|
Reflective fabric
|
Hot liquids
|
Material for Shoes and Boots -
|
SR
|
Material
|
Protects against
|
|
1
|
Steel toe caps
|
Falling bodies
|
|
2
|
Non-skid shoes
|
Moisture.
|
|
3
|
Wooden soles
|
Hot materials, heat,
hot liquids, moisture, acids and alkalis, slips and falls, cuts, abrasions.
|
|
4
|
Chrome leather.
|
Sparks, hot materials, heat, hot liquids
|
|
5
|
Rubber
|
Hot liquids, moisture, acids and alkalis, electric shock,
dermatitis.
|
|
6
|
Conductive rubber
|
Explosive.
|
Body, Skin and Fall Protection:
Body protectors are coats, waist, aprons, overalls, jackets and complete head to toe protective suits. Aprons of different materials are used for protection against blows, splashes, radiant heat, flying particles etc. Pads are used to protect shoulders and back from bruises. Impervious clothing of rubber or synthetic fabrics are used for protection against water, moisture, dusts, vapors and liquid chemicals.
Nature of
potential hazard, degree of the hazard involved and nature of activities of the
wearer are important in the selection of safety clothing. Although complete
coverage of the body and legs is not needed in many cases, unnecessary safety
clothing may hamper the efficiency of the wearer. No compromise should be made
with strict safety requirements. Selection is as follows:
|
|
Material
|
Protects against
|
|
1
|
Asbestos
|
Sparks, hot materials, heat.
|
|
2
|
Chrome leather
|
Sparks, hot materials,
hot liquids, flying particles, cuts, abrasions.
|
|
3
|
Plastic or Rubber
|
Hot liquids, moisture,
acids, and alkalis, electric shock, dermatitis, machinery.
|
|
4
|
Canvas
|
Flying particles, cuts, abrasions, machinery.
|
|
5
|
Chemical resistant fabric
|
Acids and alkalis
|
|
6
|
Reflective fabric
|
Hot liquids
|
Types of body protection available
are:
Body Protection :- Asbestos combination
suit, asbestos jacket, hood, clogs, boots and gloves, mittens, aprons, spats,
leggings, furnace mask; rubber apron with hood combined, low weight rubber
coated fabric suit, low weight PVC coated fabric suit, heavy duty PVC suit or
rubber coated fabric suit, PVC or rubber coated aprons with sleeves, sand or
shot blast helmet rubber mat for electrical purpose, vulcanized fiber face mask
for radiant heat, PVC splash proof coat, PVC hood with protected ventilator,
PVC pressure suit, PV( boiler suit, overall, coat-pant and hood.
Special work clothing includes leather or wool clothing, asbestos or
aluminized clothing and flame retardant or fireproof work cloths.
Safety Belts: -Linesman leather belt, leather safety strap or belt, man-hoisting leather belt, safety belt of harness made from leather or cotton webbing, nylon safety belt. Quick-on coverall harness. Suspension harnesses. Wrist rescue systems. Descent system. Total encapsulating suit harness. Linemen's belts. Structural steelworker's, car dropper's and derrick worker's belts, Shock absorbing lanyards. Retractable lanyard, Retractable lifeline. Winches, Rope grabs. Horizontal lifeline system. Rail slider anchorage connector. Sure, hold confined space positioning equipment or system.
Skin covers the whole
body and it is the first defensive barrier for body protection. Therefore, skin
protection cannot be avoided. Types of skin affecting hazards can be classified
as under:
Preventive measures should include
-
1. Frequent skin washing using proper cleansers.
2. Changing contaminated clothing and washing and
drying the cloths properly.
3. Removal of irritants
and chemicals (including oils)
by effective washing using shower bath, eye washer fountain etc.
4. Wash immediately cuts, scrapes, punctures etc.
and apply antiseptic bandage and seek medical advice.
5. Use appropriate PPE to protect skin, fingers,
foot and body. Selection of proper goggles, gloves, footwear, aprons, overalls
and clothing is important. Avoid loose
clothing and exposed skin or body parts to moving machinery, high temperature,
toxic chemicals (e.g. pesticides) etc.
6. Barrier creams to protect against dermatitis,
lubricants, solvents, hydro-carbons etc.
Aprons for Skin Protection
|
Type of Apron
|
Protects against
|
|
PVC, Acid / alkali proof
|
Chemical splashes
|
|
rubber, Face shield with visor
|
|
|
Leather
|
Hot materials like molten slag, chips, hot or sharp
surfaces.
|
|
Asbestos
|
Heat radiation
|
|
Lead
|
Ionizing radiation (X-rays, Gamma rays)
|
Fall protection for the body includes safety belts, lifelines (ropes) and lanyards, harnesses (belts & straps with buckles) and fall-arrester devices or safety net.
For respiratory PPE's refer next blog-
References :
Fundamentals of Industrial Safety and Health- K.U Mistry
NSO Notes of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health
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