Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER]

Revision Date: [DATE]

Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE]

Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This safe work procedure outlines the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for specific tasks to ensure worker safety and regulatory compliance. It details the necessary PPE items, their proper use, maintenance, and inspection requirements. This procedure applies to all personnel involved in the specified tasks. It does not cover the selection of PPE, which should be determined by a prior hazard assessment.

2. Definitions

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards, protecting against injuries and illnesses. Hazard Assessment A systematic process to identify workplace hazards and assess the associated risks. Control Measures Measures taken to eliminate or reduce hazards in the workplace.

3. Responsibilities

3.2 Workers

• Workers must test personal protective equipment before each use and not use any equipment they believe is defective. [1]

4. Potential Hazards and Risks

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Falling objects	Head injury	Ensure proper fit and use of hard hats. Replace hard hats after any impact or penetration.
Flying particles, chemical splashes	Eye injury	Use appropriate eye protection (safety glasses, goggles, face shields) based on the specific hazard. Ensure eye protection is clean and in good condition.
Sharp objects, chemicals	Hand injury, skin irritation	Wear gloves appropriate for the task. Inspect gloves for tears or punctures before use. Replace damaged gloves immediately.
Sharp objects, heavy objects	Foot injury	Wear safety footwear that meets CSA standards. Inspect footwear for damage before use.
Dust, fumes, gases	Respiratory illness	Use respirators approved for the specific air contaminants present. Ensure proper fit and maintenance of respirators.
High noise levels	Hearing damage	Provide and ensure the use of appropriate hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) in areas with high noise levels.
Chemicals, extreme temperatures	Skin irritation, burns	Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure. Ensure clothing is clean and in good condition.
Working at heights	Falls	Use fall protection equipment (harnesses, lanyards) when working at heights. Inspect equipment before each use.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times while performing tasks. PPE should be selected based on a thorough hazard assessment of the specific task and work environment.

• Hard Hats: Workers exposed to head injury hazards must wear head protection that meets CSA Standard Z94.1-15. Chin straps should be fitted and worn when workers are exposed to high winds or other conditions which might cause the loss of the headgear. [3] [3]
• Eye and Face Protection: Workers exposed to eye or face injury hazards must wear eye protection that meets CSA Standard Z94.3-15. Examples include safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or welding helmets, depending on the specific hazards. [3]
• Hand Protection: Workers handling materials that could puncture, abrade, or irritate the hands or arms must wear appropriate hand protection. Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves complying with an approved standard should be worn at all times when handling chemical products if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary. [2] [6]
• Foot Protection: Workers on a worksite or at any place of employment who are exposed to a hazard which could injure the foot wears footwear which meets the standards and specifications of CSA Standard Z195-14, Protective Footwear, or a standard offering equivalent protection. [2]
• Respiratory Protection: Workers who are or may be exposed to an oxygen deficient atmosphere or harmful concentrations of air contaminants, mechanical means of engineering design shall be utilized to prevent or to eliminate such hazardous conditions of exposure. Where the prevention or elimination of such hazardous conditions is not reasonably practicable, or where the exposure results from temporary or emergency conditions only, every worker exposed shall wear approved protective respiratory equipment. [2] [5]

Personal protective equipment must be maintained in good condition. A worker wearing or using personal protective equipment shall test the equipment before each use and shall not wear or use any equipment the worker has reason to believe is defective. [1] [1]

7. Pre-Job Requirements

7.1 Training and Competency

Training: Every employer shall ensure that every worker who is required to use personal protective equipment shall be given pre-job instruction by the employer to understand its use, its limitations, and its maintenance requirements, as far as these relate to its correct use by the worker. [1]

7.2 Pre-Job Briefing

Pre-Job Briefing: Before commencing any task, a pre-job briefing must be conducted to discuss the required PPE, potential hazards, and control measures.

7.3 Work Area Preparation

Work Area Preparation: Ensure the work area is free from obstructions and hazards that could damage PPE or interfere with its proper use.

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

• Ensure all PPE is approved for the specific hazards present in the workplace.
• Provide training to all workers on the proper use, maintenance, and limitations of PPE. [4]
• Establish a system for regular inspection and maintenance of PPE.
• Replace damaged or defective PPE immediately. [4]
• Store PPE in a clean and dry location when not in use.

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, immediately stop work and follow established emergency procedures.

10.3 Emergency Contact Information

Emergency contact information should be readily available and clearly posted in the work area.

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

All incidents, including near misses, must be reported to the supervisor immediately. A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence.

The investigation will involve gathering information, analyzing the incident, and implementing corrective actions.

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION]

Date: [APPROVAL DATE]

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