OSHAcademy Online Occupational Health and Safety Training Course 709.7

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This material is for training purposes only to inform the reader of occupational safety and health best practices and general compliance requirements and is not a substitute for provisions of the OSH Act of 1970 or any governmental regulatory agency.

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad of other potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury.

Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions, OSHA recommends the use of engineering or work practice controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent possible. For example, building a barrier between the hazard and the employees is an engineering control; changing the way in which employees perform their work is a work practice control.

When elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure its use. Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards. Examples of PPE include such items as gloves, foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (earplugs, muffs) hard hats, respirators and full body suits. Remember, PPE is the last resort in hazard control, not the first choice. Some employer may mistakenly believe PPE is the end all to be all. They might do too much, not too little (see illustration below).

Global Harmonization System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

OSHA and other U.S. agencies have been involved in a long-term project to negotiate a globally harmonized approach to informing workers about chemical hazards. The result is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA is revising its Hazard Communication Standard to make it consistent with the GHS. The new standard will include more specific requirements for hazard classification, as well as standardized label components which will provide consistent information and definitions for hazardous chemicals and a standard approach to conveying information on material safety data sheets. On September 30, OSHA published the proposal and is preparing for hearings in March 2010.

This course will help both employers and employees do the following:

Understand the types of PPE.
Know the basics of conducting a "hazard assessment" of the workplace.
Select appropriate PPE for a variety of circumstances.
Understand what kind of training is needed in the proper use and care of PPE.

The information in this course is general in nature and does not address all workplace hazards or PPE requirements. The information, methods and procedures in this course are based on the OSHA requirements for PPE as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for general industry at:

29 CFR 1910.132 (General requirements)
29 CFR 1910.133 (Eye and face protection)
29 CFR 1910.135 (Head protection)
29 CFR 1910.136 (Foot protection)
29 CFR 1910. 137 (Electrical protective equipment) and
29 CFR 1910.138 (Hand protection)

The Requirement for PPE

To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful work environment.

In general, employers are responsible for:

Performing a "hazard assessment" of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards.
Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.
Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.
Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.
Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program.

In general, employees should:

Properly wear PPE,
Attend training sessions on PPE,
Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and
Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.

Specific requirements for PPE are presented in many different OSHA standards, published in 29 CFR. Some standards require that employers provide PPE at no cost to the employee while others simply state that the employer must provide PPE.

With that in mind, have fun and study the contents of this course at your own pace. If you are ready jump over to Module 1 right now! Remember, if you have questions please send an email to the Contact Instructor.

GO TO MODULE ONE

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