General Industry Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER]

Revision Date: [DATE]

Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE]

Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This procedure outlines the requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) in general industry to ensure employee safety and compliance with regulatory standards. It applies to all areas where hazards are present that could cause injury or impairment through absorption, inhalation, or physical contact. PPE includes equipment for eyes, face, head, extremities, protective clothing, and respiratory devices. This procedure does not cover specialized PPE requirements for specific industries, which are addressed in separate standards.

2. Definitions

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards, including eye, face, head, and extremity protection, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers. Hazard Assessment A systematic process to identify workplace hazards and assess the need for PPE. PPE Program Ensuring PPE is suitable for the intended purpose, properly maintained, and used correctly.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Supervisors

Ensure workers have appropriate PPE for the tasks performed.
Enforce the use of PPE and provide necessary training.

3.2 Workers

Use and maintain provided PPE as instructed.
Report any PPE defects or damage to supervisors immediately.

4. Potential Hazards and Risks

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Flying particles, objects, or chips	Eye injuries	Use safety glasses or face shields. Ensure proper fit and maintenance.
Sharp objects or materials	Cuts, abrasions, punctures	Wear appropriate gloves (e.g., leather, nitrile, neoprene). Inspect gloves for damage before use.
High noise levels	Hearing damage	Use hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) in high-noise areas. Ensure proper fit and training.
Falling or rolling objects	Foot injuries	Wear safety shoes or boots with steel toe and shank. Inspect for damage regularly.
Dust, fumes, or vapors	Respiratory illnesses	Use appropriate respirators (e.g., N95, full-face) and ensure proper fit testing and training.
Chemical splashes or spills	Skin irritation, burns	Wear appropriate aprons, coveralls, or chemical-resistant suits. Inspect for tears or damage.
Welding arcs	Eye damage, burns	Use welding helmets with appropriate filter lenses. Ensure proper maintenance and inspection.
Electrical hazards	Electric shock, burns	Wear insulated gloves and sleeves. Inspect for damage before each use.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Hard Hats: Provides impact and penetration resistance. Must meet ANSI Z89.1 standards. Inspect for cracks, dents, or damage before each use.
Safety Glasses/Face Shields: Protects eyes from flying particles, chemical splashes, and radiation. Must meet ANSI Z87.1 standards. Ensure proper fit and clear visibility.
Gloves: Provides protection against cuts, abrasions, burns, and chemical exposure. Select appropriate glove material based on the specific hazard. Inspect for punctures, tears, or degradation before each use.
Safety Shoes/Boots: Protects feet from impact, compression, and puncture hazards. Must meet ANSI Z41 standards. Ensure proper fit and inspect for damage regularly.
Hearing Protection: Reduces exposure to harmful noise levels. Options include earplugs and earmuffs. Ensure proper fit and training on use.
Respirators: Protects against inhalation of harmful dusts, fumes, and vapors. Selection depends on the specific hazard and concentration. Ensure proper fit testing and training.

8. Safe Work Procedure Steps

Conduct a Hazard Assessment: Identify potential hazards in the work area through a thorough hazard assessment. Consider impact, penetration, compression, chemical exposure, heat, harmful dust, and light radiation.
Select Appropriate PPE: Select appropriate PPE based on the identified hazards. Ensure the PPE provides adequate protection and meets relevant standards (e.g., ANSI, NIOSH).
Ensure Proper Fit: Ensure PPE fits properly and is comfortable for the worker. Ill-fitting PPE may not provide adequate protection and can discourage use.
Provide Training: Provide training on the proper use, maintenance, and limitations of PPE. Training should cover when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE, the limitations of the PPE, and proper care and disposal.
Inspect PPE Regularly: Inspect PPE before each use for defects or damage. Replace damaged or defective PPE immediately.
Maintain PPE: Maintain PPE in a clean and sanitary condition. Follow manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and storage.
Reassess Hazards: Regularly reassess the workplace for new hazards and evaluate the suitability of previously selected PPE. Update the hazard assessment and PPE selection as needed.
Proper Disposal: Ensure proper disposal of contaminated or damaged PPE according to established procedures and regulations.

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

Always conduct a hazard assessment before starting any task to determine the necessary PPE.
Ensure all PPE is approved and certified to meet industry standards.
Regularly inspect PPE for wear and tear, and replace as needed.
Provide readily accessible locations for PPE storage and encourage its consistent use.
Enforce a strict PPE compliance policy, with disciplinary actions for non-compliance.

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

In the event of an incident, immediately assess the situation and provide necessary first aid. Ensure the affected employee receives prompt medical attention.

10.2 Specific Emergency Scenarios

Chemical splash to the eyes or skin: Flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
Exposure to excessive noise levels: Move to a quiet area and use hearing protection. Report the incident to a supervisor.
Puncture wound from sharp object: Seek medical attention immediately. Ensure the wound is properly cleaned and bandaged.

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

All incidents, including near misses, must be reported to the supervisor immediately. The supervisor will then complete an incident report and submit it to the safety department.

The safety department will investigate all reported incidents to determine the root cause and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. The investigation will involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing the incident scene, and analyzing relevant data.

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION]

Date: [APPROVAL DATE]