UNIT 4

PRACTICE OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY
PROCEDURES

Learning Objectives.................................................... 79
Introduction.................................................................. 80
Identify Hazards and Risks........................................ 80
Evaluate Hazards and Risks....................................... 88
Role Model................................................................... 99
Unit Summary............................................................ 100
Points of Discussion................................................. 100
Multiple Choice Questions..................................... 100

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Identify and control hazards and risks
• Understand contingency measures and effects
of the hazards which are determined
• Define OHS issues and/or concerns
• Explain the procedures for dealing with
workplace accidents, fire and emergencies
• Discuss about personal protective equipment
(PPE)
• Evaluate appropriate assistance which is
provided in the event of a workplace emergency
Computer Systems Servicing: Intermediate

INTRODUCTION

O
ccupational health and safety is a discipline with a broad
scope involving many specialized fields. In its broadest
sense, it should aim at: The promotion and maintenance
of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being
of workers in all occupations; The prevention among workers of
adverse effects on health caused by their working conditions; The
protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting
from factors adverse to health; The placing and maintenance of
workers in an occupational environment adapted to physical and
mental needs; The adaptation of work to humans.
In other words, occupational health and safety encompasses
the social, mental and physical well-being of workers that is the
“whole person”.
KEY WORD • Conducting ad Hoc vessel inspections
Adaptation: It is a trait
with a current functional • Legal Compliance Audits
role in the life of • Accreditation of Stevedore Safety Training
an organism that is
maintained and evolved • Marine Notices
by means of natural • Road Shows
selection.
• Safety committees

IDENTIFY HAZARDS AND RISKS

Although it is unlikely that computer equipment will be dangerous
in itself, it can be used in ways which can be a hazard to health
of staff. The number of computers in the workplace has increased
rapidly over the last few years and it is now quite normal for most
staff in voluntary organisation to be exposed to computer usage.
The Health and Safety at Work Act lays down legal standards
for computer equipment and requires employers to take steps to
minimize risks for all workers. Workers have received substantial
damages for injuries caused through use of computers where the
employer could have foreseen the risk but did nothing about it.
The main regulations covering the use of computer equipment
include:
Improving health and safety practice should be taken seriously,
although it need not take much time or expense. Measures
employers should take include:
• Understanding the law - make sure someone in your
organisation has a health and safety brief covering all
areas, not just computers.
• Being aware of the health risks - the government officially
recognizes some of the risks although there are some grey
areas you will need to make up your own mind about.
• Assessing the risks - using procedures set out in the law
- be systematic and get help if you need it. Get a health

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and safety audit done by a competent organisation if necessary.

• Taking steps to minimize the risks - this may only involve taking simple measures.
• Training all users to recognize the risks - if people are not aware of the dangers they
cannot take adequate precautions to protect their health.
• Taking users views seriously - if users feel there is something wrong there often is.

The Risks
With the increase in computer use, a number of health and safety concerns related to vision
and body aches and pains have arisen. Many problems with computer use are temporary and
can be resolved by adopting simple corrective action. Most problems related to computer use
are completely preventable. However it is important to seek prompt medical attention if you
do experience symptoms including:
• continual or recurring discomfort
• aches and pains
• throbbing
• tingling
• numbness
• burning sensation
• or stiffness
Seek help even if symptoms occur when you are not working at your computer.
Laptop computers can present particular problems due to small screens, keyboards and
inbuilt pointing devices (e.g. a small portable mouse or touchpad). Prolonged use of laptops
should be avoided. If using a laptop as a main computer (i.e. use as a normal desktop computer
in addition to use as a portable), it is advisable to use the laptop with a docking station. This
allows an ordinary mouse, keyboard and monitor to be used with the laptop. The main risks
associated with using computers include:
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Eye strain and a greater awareness of existing eye problems
Rashes and other skin complaints have also been reported, although it is thought these
are caused by the dry atmosphere and static electricity associated with display units rather
then by the display units themselves. There are potential risks from radiation though this is a
contentious area.
There are some procedures helps to identify the hazards and risk in a workplace:
Safety regulations and workplace safety and hazard control practices and procedures are
clarified and explained based on organization procedures
Hazards/risks in the workplace and their corresponding indicators are identified to minimize
or eliminate risk to co-workers, workplace and environment in accordance with organization
procedures
Contingency measures during workplace accidents, fire and other emergencies are recognized
and established in accordance with organization procedures

Safety Regulations
Most safety regulations in the workplace are enforced by the Occupational Health and Safety
Administration. Safety regulations are meant to protect workers, while punishing businesses

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that put their employees in danger. Small business often have the hardest time conforming to
ever-changing safety regulations because they lack the manpower and resources to hire their
own safety inspectors, but the federal government offers free information to help businesses
tackle safety issues.

Safety regulations may include but are not limited to:

• Clean Air Act
• Building code
• National Electrical and Fire Safety Codes
• Waste management statutes and rules
• Philippine Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• DOLE regulations on safety legal requirements
• ECC regulations

History
Workplace safety regulations were almost nonexistent in the U.S. The first railroad regulatory
commissions appeared the 1840s, but were hardly effective at improving worker safety since
they had little legal authority. The first safety regulations appeared during the 1900s and 1910s,
such as the formation of the Food and Drug Administration, but mostly to protect people
working in dangerous jobs, such as railroads and mines, or as a response to whistle-blowing,
muckraking journalists.

OSHA
In 1970, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which established the
first federal body-OSHA-to oversee workplace safety, according to the Department of Labor.
OSHA, or one of its state approved arms, enforces safety regulations. As of 2010, only the
self-employed, families of farmers and those protected by other government agencies, such as
the Coast Guard, do not fall under OSHA’s jurisdiction

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Benefits
Safety regulations not only offer workers a safer working
environment, it saves small businesses time and money. Since
the inception of OSHA, workplace accidents and fatalities have
fallen 40%. In addition, each year, 6 million workplace injuries KEY WORD
occur--costing Americans about $110 billion each year. Safety management
system: It is a term
Tip used to refer to a
comprehensive business
Small business can receive help from OSHA to improve their work management system
designed to manage
site by simply requesting a free safety consultation, according to
safety elements in the
OSHA. OSHA recommends that employers allow employee to workplace.
participate in the OSHA inspection so they are better informed
about safety issues and spotting hazards, and so OSHA can gauge
the safety knowledge of the current staff.

OSHA Employee Health and Safety Regulations

Work-related injuries occur daily. The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) Weekly Fatality Report reflected
that a Texas worker was accidentally run over with a forklift in
2010. An explosion took the life of a Texan vessel worker.

Although accidents occur, OSHA strives to ensure that the

potential for workplace accidents and injuries are kept to a
minimum, if not eliminated.

General Industry
OSHA has established general health and safety regulations for
the general industry. The general industry includes all businesses,
regardless of nature, that conduct business within the U.S., Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Wake Island the Trust Territory of

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the Pacific Islands, American Samoa, Johnston Island, the Canal Zone and the Outer Continental
Shelf lands.

General Guidelines
OSHA requires that all businesses provide their employees with consistent protection from harm.
The Occupational Safety and Health Standards requires employers to provide their employees
with personal protective equipment when these employees are required to handle or operate
near hazardous materials. Employers requires to train their employees on these hazardous
materials and locations within the business. Failure to provide these aspects can result in an
OSHA violation. The violations will include a separate infraction for an employee who does
not receive the proper equipment or training.

Maritime and Construction

OSHA provides separate guidelines for longshoremen and construction workers, as these
industries encounter daily risks that general industries do not. These guidelines require employers
to take regular steps to reduce the flow of hazardous materials and maintain the appropriate
ventilation throughout the work areas. The ventilated work areas must draw fumes, vapors
and gases away from employees using one, or a combination of, fans, ducts, hoods, jets and
other equipment designed for this process.

OSHA Workplace Poster

OSHA requires every employer to post a current OSHA Workplace poster. This poster must be
posted in a location that is easily viewed by employees. The poster provides employees with
a general review of their OSHA rights and responsibilities. The poster explains that employees
have a right to file an OSHA complaint, without the fear of retaliation, when they have been
forced to work in unsafe conditions. It also explains that employees must comply with OSHA
standards.

Hazards/risks
Anything that presents a potential threat to employees, whether physical or psychological,
can be classified as a workplace hazard. Small businesses have a responsibility to reduce
or eliminate hazards on the job, even if it means shelling out a few extra dollars to ensure
employees’ safety.

PROGRESS CHECK
1. Identify the commitment to the organization and its goal in a workplace.
2. Evaluate the performance of worker duties
3. How to create a work priority checklist
4. Write a short note on talent collaboration
5. How to maintain professional growth and development?

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Addressing workplace hazards requires managers to be able to

identify the full range of potential dangers on the job; understanding KEY WORD
the full definition of workplace hazards can ensure that you do Implementation: It is
not miss any potential threats. the realization of an
application, or execution
of a plan, idea, model,
Hazardous Exposures design, specification,
standard, algorithm, or
Workplaces can expose employees to hazardous materials or policy.
chemicals, some of which can be immediately harmful. Health care
and scientific research jobs may expose employees to hazardous
radiation, for example, just as construction jobs in the 20th century
often exposed workers to asbestos, which was partially banned
in 1989 after it was determined to be a carcinogen.
Even jobs that would not normally be classified as hazardous
can involve dangerous exposures. Facilities maintenance positions,
for example, may expose employees to a range of artificial
chemicals that can be harmful over time.

Hazardous Working Conditions

The working conditions of certain jobs, including the layout of
work spaces and the duties involved in the job, can present distinct
hazards. Workplaces with occasionally wet floors, for example,
can present serious risks, even when maintenance employees
set up “wet floor” warning signs. Jobs that require frequent
heavy lifting can lead to lifetime injuries without proper safety
procedures and policies.

Ergonomic Hazards
Repetitive motion on the job and improper setup of work areas
can lead to injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis.
Never assume that your employees are not exposed to hazards
just because they sit at a desk all day. Repetitive motion injuries
can seriously affect employees’ quality of life and can lead to
costly legal action against your company. Keep a catalog of
ergonomic equipment at your office, and allow any employee

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KEY WORD
Compensation: It is a
“counter-procedure”
plan on expected side
effect performed to
produce more efficient
and useful results.
86
to request a special purchase for individual needs, such as an
ergonomic chair, computer screen or keyboard.
Biological Hazards
Workplace settings can introduce biological hazards, as well,
which can be more dangerous than most others. Working in
health-care settings can expose employees to viruses, bacteria and
diseases, for example. Some employees work directly with deadly
animals, such as venomous snakes, while others are exposed to
such threats indirectly. Insects can present distinct dangers as
well, as they can be carriers for disease.
Evaluate the Risks of the Workplace
Regardless on your position in a company or the industry you
work in, you can benefit from a formal assessment of the risks
present in your workplace. This holds true whether you work at an
office, building site or nuclear facility. A workplace risk assessment
does not have to be a complicated or lengthy process. The key
is to take an honest look at the hazards in your workplace to
prevent injuries and illnesses.
Doing so also has financial benefits, such as a reduction in
absenteeism, lower insurance premiums and fewer legal problems.
• Step 1: Identify the hazards in your workplace. These will
vary widely from one workplace to another. For instance,
if you work in an office, workplace hazards might include
cluttered floors, eye strain, stress, or back problems due
to sitting in an uncomfortable chair for long periods of
time. If you work at a building site, you might face the
risk of falling from high perches or injuring yourself with
power tools.
• Step 2: Consider who might be harmed by each hazard,
and how. Identify groups which are more likely to suffer
harm. For instance, inexperienced workers or people
working in a specific area or room may be more likely
to face a particular hazard.
• Step 3: Estimate the likelihood a hazard will occur. This
will help you prioritize the hazards in your workplace
by the actual risk they present to workers. Focus your
efforts on the safety measures that will benefit workers
the most. For instance, if you run a restaurant, the risk
of employees slipping on a greasy kitchen floor is high,
and should be dealt with through frequent cleaning.
• • Step 4: Find ways you can remove the hazard from
the workplace. If completely removing the hazard is not
practical, think of ways you can reduce or control the
risk of an accident actually occurring. For instance, if you
cannot avoid having some of your employees working
at heights, require them to wear safety lines and erect
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scaffolding, and provide additional training on how to prevent accidents.

• Step 5: Write down the results of your risk evaluation. Implement the safety measures
you identified and share your results with the rest of the workers. Keeping a written
record of your risk evaluation is often a legal requirement. It also provides documented
proof that you took reasonable steps to protect workers in the event of an accident,
which can reduce your legal liability.

Contingency Measures
The contingency approach model of business is a theory of managerial control used both
in small and large companies across the country. In practice, the contingency approach
empowers management to create specific, integrated solutions to solve workplace issues and
meet the project goals of clients. This can provide highly specialized task completion, as long
as managers and supervisors assign the right mix of qualified employees.
The contingency approach believes that there’s no single system that can apply to all
workplace challenges. Managerial personnel work to determine specific solutions to handle
workplace issues and satisfy client needs. This means assigning employees to a task based
on relevant skills, developing situational strategies to meet deadlines, and integrating these
efforts to provide a fully realized plan of action. Managers using the contingency approach
only deals with challenges and risks as these situations occur for the business.

The Benefits of Contingency Planning

A contingency plan is a backup plan, activated in the event of a disaster that disrupts a
company’s production and puts employees in danger. The goal of the plan is to safeguard
data, minimize disruption and keep everyone as safe as possible. A company may never have
occasion to use a contingency plan, but it is important to have one, keep it updated and train
employees what to do if the need arises.

Minimizes Loss
When a business experiences a disruption, whether it is a power outage or a natural disaster,
a contingency plan helps minimize the loss of production. A contingency plan may consist
of rerouting data, emergency generators for power, and escape routes for employees and
supervisory duties for contingency team members. Plans to get production up and running in
spite of unforeseen circumstances can be the difference between a company that survives a
disaster and one that folds. There may be a cost associated with devising a contingency plan
and maintaining it, but when measured against the cost of production loss, it will be minimal.

Prevents Panic
When a disaster occurs, people panic if they do not have a clear plan of action to follow.
A well-documented contingency plan allows employees to move quickly into recovery mode
rather than waiting for instruction. When everyone knows where to go, what to do and who
to turn to for instruction, order can be maintained. Averting panic allows managers to focus
efforts on recovery operations to minimize loss

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EVALUATE HAZARDS AND RISKS

Hazards exist in every workplace, but how do you know which ones have the most potential
to harm workers? By identifying hazards at your workplace, you will be better prepared to
control or eliminate them and prevent accidents, injuries, property damage and downtime.
After all, you cannot fix problems you do not know about.
Accurately identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards is an essential part of a properly
functioning occupational health and safety program. This part will help employers, managers
and members of health and safety committees improve their health and safety performance.
They will learn effective and proven methods of hazard identification, assessment, and control.
A Hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons.
The terms Hazard and Risk are often used interchangeably but this simple example explains
the difference between the two. If there was a spill of water in a room then that water would
present a slipping hazard to persons passing through it. If access to that area was prevented
by a physical barrier then the hazard would remain though the risk would be minimized.
The meaning of the word hazard can be confusing. Often dictionaries do not give specific
definitions or combine it with the term “risk”. For example, one dictionary defines hazard as
“a danger or risk” which helps explain why many people use the terms interchangeably.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
Useful hazard assessment and instructions:
1. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration require employers to identify
hazards that are a threat to the health and safety of workers. Safety personnel and
managers should conduct a thorough inspection, noting any hazards that could
cause impact injuries, including chemical exposure, compression injuries, puncture
wounds, penetration injuries or other types of accidents.
2. They should also note the sources of any electricity, harmful dust, radiation or
intense heat. Once hazards have been identified, someone from the company
can select the appropriate PPE to protect workers. Employers are responsible for
maintaining PPE and replacing it when it is worn or no longer effective.

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One of the most important aspects of your risk assessment is

accurately identifying the potential hazards in your workplace. A
good starting point is to walk around your workplace and think
about any hazards. In other words, what is it about the activities,
processes or substances used that could injure your employees
or harm their health?
When you work in a place every day it is easy to overlook
some hazards, so here are some tips to help you identify the
ones that matter:
• Check manufacturers’ instructions or data sheets for
chemicals and equipment as they can be very helpful
in spelling out the hazards and putting them in their true
perspective
• Look back at your accident and ill-health records - these
often help to identify the less obvious hazards
• Take account of non-routine operations (e.g. maintenance,
cleaning operations or changes in production cycles)
• Remember to think about long-term hazards to health (e.g.
high levels of noise or exposure to harmful substances)
There are some hazards with a recognized risk of harm, for
example working at height, working with chemicals, machinery,
and asbestos. Depending on the type of work you do, there may
be other hazards that are relevant to your business. KEY WORD
The identification of the hazards in all aspects of work should Risk management: It
be approached by: is the identification,
assessment, and
Walking around the workplace and looking at what could prioritization of risks
cause harm followed by coordinated
Consulting workers and/or their representatives about any and economical
application of resources
problems they have encountered. Often the quickest and surest
to minimize, monitor,
way to identify the details of what really happens is to ask the and control the
workers involved in the activity being assessed. They will know probability and/or
what process steps they follow, whether there are any short cuts, impact of unfortunate
or ways of getting over a difficult task, and what precautionary events.
actions they take
Considering long-term hazards to health, such as high levels
of noise or exposure to harmful substances, as well as more
complex or less obvious risks such as psychosocial or work
organizational risk factors
Looking at company accident and ill-health records
Assessing hazards and controlling risk must be done
continuously as new work processes, tasks, equipment and workers
come into the workplace. Part of this process may be to ask your
employer to employ or engage a suitably qualified occupational
health and safety professional to come into the workplace to
provide advice on health and safety.
• Terms of maximum tolerable limits are identified based
on threshold limit values (TLV)

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• Effects of hazards are determined.

OHS issues and concerns are identified in accordance with workplace requirements and
relevant workplace OHS legislation.
A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm. A risk is the likelihood that the
harm will occur from exposure to the hazard. For example, if you have identified electricity
as a potential hazard in your workplace, the risk is the likelihood that a worker might be
electrocuted because of exposure to electrical wires that are inadequately insulated.

Control Hazards and Risks

As a small business owner, protection of your employees against health and safety hazards
in the workplace is your responsibility. Depending on your particular industry, workers may
encounter hazardous conditions that lead to physical injuries due to electrical equipment,
noise, biochemical elements or radiation. Others may experience psychological trauma caused
by violence, bullying or fatigue. Develop and implement hazard control measures and ensure
workers know about potential hazards in the work environment.
There are some procedure are help in control hazards and risk:
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) procedures for controlling hazards/risks in workplace
are consistently followed
• Procedures for dealing with workplace accidents, fire and emergencies are followed
in accordance with organization OHS policies
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is correctly used in accordance with organization
OHS procedures and practices
• Appropriate assistance is provided in the event of a workplace emergency in accordance
with established organization protocol

Reduced Costs of Workplace Injuries

Accidents in the workplace can be expensive, incurring both direct and indirect costs. Typically,
an employee injured at work will need to be compensated by your company. In addition, the

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employee may be entitled to part or all of his wages while he is recuperating. You may need
to train or hire a replacement, requiring an additional administrative cost. Depending on the
circumstances of the accident, you may be subjected to litigation, which costs money and
time. Having a hazard control system in place will mitigate these costs.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

When you have hazard control measures in place, workers will be psychologically prepared
to perform their tasks, assured that their safety is guaranteed. These measures establish safety
as a value rather than simply a priority and tells your employees that safety is integrated into
the company culture, not something performed to merely comply with regulations. Not having
to experience or worry about accidents will enhance efficiency and productivity. With fewer
accidents, workers will be on the job instead of taking days off to recuperate or study their
accident compensation plans.

Employee Morale and Motivation

Motivating management is about showing leaders how they can affect safety outcomes directly
through their actions and decisions. Similarly, other employees are concerned with their own
well-being in the performance of their jobs and for them, safety is personal. Workplace safety
and hazard control programs can have a positive effect on employees’ motivation, engagement
and satisfaction because they feel safer on the job.

Retention of Quality Workforce

Providing training to deal with workplace hazards is part of your responsibility to your
employees. Having a team that you have developed over time gives your small business a
distinct advantage in your particular industry and you should do everything possible to retain
them. A hazard control plan can determine the retention capacity of employees in your
company. If your company has reported many cases of accidents then it is highly likely your
employees will seek employment elsewhere. How you handle work-related accidents will also
determine the quality of labor you can attract and retain.

OHS Procedures for Controlling Hazards/risks in

Workplace
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation requires that all for seeable hazards are
identified and the risks arising from these hazards are eliminated or controlled.
Risk management is a legal requirement for all businesses regardless of their size and
basically it involves asking the following questions:
• What hazards exist in the workplace?
• How serious are the hazards?
• What can be done to control these hazards?
Risk management is a four step process whereby you identify hazards in the workplace,
then assess the risk of those hazards and then implement control measures, which will eliminate
or minimize the risk of injury from the hazards you identified.

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The research and
regulation of
occupational safety and
health are a relatively
recent phenomenon.
As labor movements
arose in response
to worker concerns
in the wake of the
industrial revolution,
worker's health entered
consideration as a
labor-related issue.
92
Control measures which have been put in place must be
reviewed periodically to check that they actually fix the problem,
without creating another one.
Step 1: Hazard Identification
Hazards can be identified through:
• Workplace inspections
• Incident reporting
• Register of injuries
• Consultation with employees
• Feedback from employees.
There are a number of business activities which can involve
risk to safety. These can include:
Purchasing: the equipment or chemicals purchased to run your
business may introduce safety issues (e.g. plant and equipment;
cleaning agents)
Work activities: in carrying out work tasks the physical and
psychological demands of the tasks, equipment used, working
environment can place employees at risk (e.g. repetitive movements,
length of time spent on the computer, air quality, materials handling)
Contractors/casual employees/customers: other workers who
come into the workplace can be at risk or place your employees
at risk from the work activities they conduct (e.g. cleaning agents
used by cleaners, electrical contractors, and verbal abuse by
customers).
Step 2: Risk assessment
Risk Assessment determines how likely and how serious the
effects will be on people in the workplace being exposed to the
hazard. Work out which hazards are most serious and deal with
them first.
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To assess the risk, you should consider:

• The type of hazard
• How severely could the hazard injure or cause illness (consequence)
• How likely is this consequence going to happen (likelihood)
• The frequency and duration of exposure
• Who it may effect
• Capabilities
• Skills, experience and age of people
• Layout and condition of the working environment.

Step 3: Risk Control

Risk Control involves deciding what needs to be done to eliminate or control the risks to health
and safety. Where possible, you should always try to remove or eliminate the problem from
the workplace, for example by using a different process, or changing the way a job is done.
If it is not possible to eliminate the hazard, the Hierarchy of Risk Control must be used
to determine the most effective measures to minimize the risks.

Hierarchy of risk control

Design or reorganize to eliminate the hazard from the workplace: try to ensure that hazards
are designed out when new materials, equipment and work systems are being planned for
the workplace.
Remove or substitute the hazard: where possible remove the hazard or substitute with less
hazardous materials, equipment or substances.
Enclose or isolate the hazard: this can be done through the use of barriers, introducing a
strict work area, enclosing a noisy process from a person.
Minimize through engineering controls: this can be done through the use of machine
guards, effective ventilation systems etc.
Minimize the risk by adopting administrative controls: establish appropriate procedures
and safe work practices such as job rotation to reduce exposure time or boredom; timing the
work so that fewer employees are exposed; routine maintenance and housekeeping procedures;
training on hazards and correct work methods.
Personal Protective Equipment: provide suitable and properly maintained personal protective
equipment and ensure employees are trained in its proper use (examples include gloves,
earplugs etc.).
If no single control is appropriate, a combination of the controls needs to be taken to
minimize the risk to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable.

Step 4: Review
Periodic reviews of control measures and risk assessments should be conducted to ensure the
control measures implemented are appropriate and effective and the risk assessments are still
valid. This can be achieved through safety audits, regular workplace inspections, consultation
with employees and review of incident investigations. Risk management should be built into
all workplace activities that can give rise to safety issues.

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PPE and Hazards

The primary methods for preventing employee exposure to hazardous materials are elimination,
engineering and administrative controls. Where these control methods are not appropriate or
sufficient to control the hazard, personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.
A work area assessment is required to determine the potential hazards and select the
appropriate PPE for adequate protection. Employees must receive training which includes the
proper PPE for their job, when this PPE must be worn, how to wear, adjust, maintain, and
discard this equipment, and the limitations of the PPE. All training must be documented.

Objective
To ensure the proper selection, use, and care of PPE through work area hazard assessments
and appropriate employee training.

Responsibility
Each department is responsible for:
• Identifying the appropriate PPE based on the hazards of the task/ work area. See PPE
Selection Considerations in the EHSC home page to assist you with this assessment.
• Providing and paying for required PPE. Assure appropriate equipment is available
• Enforcing the proper use of PPE
• Maintaining PPE in a clean and reliable condition (clean, sanitary, replace worn or
defective parts)
• Training employees (document the training) on the following:
– When PPE is needed
– What PPE is needed
– How to properly put on, adjust, wear, and remove the PPE
– Useful life and limitations of the PPE
– Proper care, storage, and disposal of the PPE

Types of Personal Protective Equipment

Eye and Face Protection

Faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors shall wear the appropriate eye and face
protection when working with or around hazardous chemicals/materials/equipment including
but not limited to:
• Handling of hot solids, liquids, or molten metals
• Flying particles from chiseling, milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, etc.
• Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials
• Lasers
• Intense light radiation (UV and IR) from gas or electric arc welding, glassblowing,
torch brazing, oxygen cutting, etc.
• Repair or servicing of any vehicle

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• Working with or around chemicals and gases

Eye protection choices include the following:

Safety Glasses
Ordinary prescription glasses do not provide adequate protection. Eye protection must conform
to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Standard Z87.1-1989. Look for this
stamp on the inside of the safety glass frame. Prescription safety glasses are recommended for
employees who must routinely wear safety glasses in lieu of fitting safety glasses over their
personal glasses. All safety glasses shall have side protection. Whenever protection against
splashing is a concern, “Chemical Splash Goggles” must be worn.

Goggles
Use - Goggles are intended for use when protection is needed against chemicals or particles.
Impact protection goggles which contain perforations on the sides of goggle are not to be
used for chemical splash protection, therefore are not recommended. Splash goggles which
contain shielded vents at the top of the goggle are appropriate for chemical splash protection,
and also provide limited eye impact protection. Goggles only protect the eyes, offering no
protection for the face and neck.

Face Shields
Full face shields provide the face and throat and partial protection from flying particles and
liquid splash. For maximum protection against chemical splash, a full face shield should be
used in combination with chemical splash goggles. Face shields are appropriate as secondary
protection when implosion (e.g. vacuum applications) or explosion hazards are present. Face
shields which are contoured to protect the sides of the neck as well as frontal protection are
preferred.

Eye Protection for Intense Light Sources

The radiation produced by welding covers a broad range of the spectrum of light. Exposure
to ultraviolet light (UV-B) from welding operations can cause “welders flash”, a painful
inflammable of the outer layer of the cornea. Arc welding or arc cutting operations, including
submerged arc welding, require the use of welding helmets with an appropriate filter lens.
Goggles with filter plates or tinted glass are available for glassblowing and other operations
where intense light sources are encountered, including but not limited to, gas welding or
oxygen cutting operations. Spectacles with suitable filter lenses may be appropriate for light gas
welding operations, torch brazing, or inspection. See Filter Lenses for assistance in selection
of appropriate shade selection. Users and visitors to Laser use areas (the laser nominal hazard
zone) must be protected with suitable laser protection eye wear. Contact the laser manufacturer
or the NCSU laser safety officer (919-515-6860) for assistance in selecting laser eye wear.

Hand Protection
Employees shall use hand protection when exposed to hazards including:
• Skin absorption of harmful substances
• Lacerations
• Severe cuts

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• Severe abrasions
• Punctures
• Chemical burns and irritation
• Thermal burns
• Harmful temperature extremes
Wear proper hand protection whenever the potential for contact with chemicals, sharp
objects, or very hot or cold materials exists. Select gloves based on the properties of the
material in use, the degree of protection needed, and the nature of the work (direct contact
necessary, dexterity needed, etc.). Check the Hand Protection Reference Guide for assisting
you in selecting the proper gloves for your task. Leather gloves may be used for protection
against sharp edged objects, such as when picking up broken glassware or inserting glass tubes
into stoppers. When working at temperature extremes, use insulated gloves. Materials such as
Nomex and Kevlar may be used briefly up to 1000 F. Do not use gloves containing asbestos.
Asbestos is regulated as a carcinogen under OSHA. When considering chemical gloves, note
that glove materials will be permeated (pass through) by chemicals. The permeation rate varies
depending on the chemical, glove material, and thickness. Double gloving is recommended
when handling highly toxic or carcinogenic materials. Before each use, inspect the gloves
for discoloration, punctures and tears. Before removal, wash gloves if the glove material is
impermeable to water. Observe any changes in glove color and texture, including hardening
or softening, which may be indications of glove degradation.

Body Protection
Employees working around hazard materials or machinery shall not wear loose clothing (e.g.
saris, dangling neckties, necklaces) or unrestrained long hair. Loose clothing, jewelry, and
unrestrained long hair can become ensnared in moving parts of machinery or contact chemicals.
Finger rings can damage gloves and trap chemicals against the skin.
Where contact with hazardous materials with your protective clothing is likely, such as
during spill cleanup or pesticide application, polyethylene- coated Tyvek or similar protective
clothing should be used to provide additional protection. The limitations of the protective
clothing must always be understood, particularly in situations where contact with the material
is likely.
Employees should know the appropriate techniques for removing protective apparel,
especially any that has become contaminated. Special procedures may need to be followed
for cleaning and/or discarding contaminated apparel. Chemical spills on leather clothing
accessories (watchbands, shoes, belts and such) can be especially hazardous because many
chemicals can be absorbed in the leather and then held close to the skin for long periods.
Such items must be removed promptly and typically be discarded to prevent the possibility
of chemical burns.

Lab Coat Selection

Buttoned, long lab coats are required in all NCSU laboratories at all times to minimize clothing
contamination and skin exposure to hazardous chemicals. They also provide some temporary
protection against fire. 100% cotton lab coats are the minimum required body protection
in labs. Polyester or poly-cotton blend lab coats may be acceptable, but only after being
approved by EH&S for a specific application. Although, most lab coats are not designed to be
impermeable to hazardous substances or flameproof, they provide additional safety because
they can be quickly removed to isolate harmful exposures or flames.

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To minimize body exposures in the lab and provide some temporary protection against
fire, adhere to the following:
• Be aware of limitation of each type of the lab coat
• Make sure that additional protective measures are selected and in use based on the
hazard reviews
• Lab coats may not be taken home to be laundered. They are not to be worn in public
places such as offices, classrooms not associated with labs, break rooms, bathrooms,
etc.
• Contact EH&S for any questions
• Only long pants are to be worn with lab coats, no shorts.

Occupational Foot Protection

Safety toe footwear shall conform to the requirements and specifications of ASTM-F 2413
March 2005, “American Standard Test Method”
Wear proper shoes, not sandals or open toed shoes, in work areas where chemicals are
used or stored. Perforated shoes, sandals or cloth sneakers should not be worn in areas where
mechanical work is being done.
Safety shoes are required for protection against injury from heavy falling objects (handling
of objects weighing more than fifteen pounds which, if dropped, would likely result in a
foot injury), against crushing by rolling objects (warehouse, loading docks, etc), and against
laceration or penetration by sharp objects.
The state personal protective equipment policy stipulates that employees who are required
to wear safety shoes will be eligible for departmental reimbursement up to $100.
Pullovers, worn over regular shoes, are available for protection against certain chemicals.
These boots are made of a stretchable rubber compound and are well suited for cleaning up
chemical spills.

Hearing Protection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that approximately 30 million
employees are exposed to hazardous noise on the job each year. Machines used in manufacturing,
mining, logging and other industries produce this noise, which can lead to hearing loss if
employees do not wear PPE. Hearing protection devices reduce noise exposure and lessen the
risk of hearing loss. These devices include ear plugs, ear muffs and canal caps, which block
off the opening of the ear canal.

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Chemical and Biological Hazards

Some types of PPE protect workers against chemical and biological hazards. Pesticides,
cleaning fluids, lubricants and other products contain harmful chemicals that can injure
workers. Biological hazards involve contact with living organisms such as mold and viruses.
Both types of substances enter the body via inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. They
can also enter the body through open wounds. The type of PPE selected depends on the type
and severity of the hazard. Wearing gloves while handling a cleaning product may be enough
to protect employees from harm. Face masks are classified as dust masks, which to protect
against airborne particulates, and “gas masks,” which filter harmful chemicals. Rescue workers
responding to a disaster at a laboratory should wear protective clothing, gloves, face masks
and respirators to avoid touching, ingesting or inhaling any biological hazards.

Head Injuries
Safety helmets and hard hats protect workers from head injuries, which can cause lifelong
complications. These injuries occur when objects fall from; when employees bump their heads
against fixed objects; and when the head comes into contact with an electrical hazard. PPE
used to protect the head should absorb the shock of falling objects. Safety helmets and hard
hats should also be water-resistant and slow to burn. Employees must wear helmets and hard
hats that fit properly, or these protective devices may not perform up to expectations.

Protective Footwear
Protective footwear is a must for employees who are at risk for foot and leg injuries. Safety
shoes prevent workers from sustaining injuries due to contact with hot surfaces or sharp objects.
These shoes typically have metal insoles, which protect employees from injuries caused by
sharp objects that pierce the sole of the shoe. Workers may wear toe or metatarsal guards
over their shoes to protect their feet from being crushed or injured by falling objects. Safety
leggings protect the lower legs and feet from burns caused by molten metal, welding sparks
and other heat sources.

Maintain OHS awareness

• Emergency-related drills and trainings are participated in as per established organization
guidelines and procedures
• OHS personal records are completed and updated in accordance with workplace
requirements

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