For safe entry and work on an industrial HVAC site, a comprehensive hazard assessment is crucial to determine the necessary PPE. Employers are responsible for conducting these assessments to identify and control physical and health hazards. Engineering and administrative controls should be applied before relying on PPE. [1] [1]

The selection of PPE should consider potential hazards such as falling objects, punctures, crushing or rolling objects, chemical or corrosive contact, electrical shock or burns, and slips or falls. [3]

General PPE requirements include:

• Head Protection: Hard hats are essential where there is a risk of falling objects, head bumps, or electrical hazards. Hard hats should be inspected regularly for damage and replaced after a heavy impact or electrical shock.
• Eye and Face Protection: Safety glasses or face shields should be worn whenever work operations may cause foreign objects to enter the eye, such as during welding, cutting, grinding, or when working with chemicals. Eye and face protectors should be selected based on anticipated hazards.
• Hand Protection: Workers should wear appropriate gloves for the job, such as heavy-duty rubber gloves for concrete work, welding gloves for welding, or insulated gloves for electrical hazards. Gloves should fit snugly.
• Foot Protection: Construction workers should wear work shoes or boots with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles. Safety-toed footwear is necessary when working around heavy equipment or falling objects.
• Hearing Protection: Earplugs or earmuffs should be used in high-noise work areas where chainsaws or heavy equipment are used.
• High-Visibility Garments: During daylight hours, employees working near moving vehicles must wear high-visibility safety vests, shirts, or jackets in fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, or fluorescent red. During hours of darkness, garments must meet ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 Class 2 specifications and provide 360 degrees of visibility.

[4] [4] [4] [4] [4] [2] [2] Employers must provide and pay for PPE, except for non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear if they are allowed to be worn off the job site. Replacement PPE must be provided by the employer unless the employee lost or intentionally damaged the PPE. [2] [2] [2]

Employees must comply with job safety practices, procedures, and PPE requirements relevant to the job site. [2]

Training on PPE use and care is essential, covering what PPE is necessary, when it must be worn, how to use it, its limitations, proper maintenance, and when to replace it. [5]