Environmental Health & Safety

Personal Protective Equipment

Departments are to conduct assessments to determine if hazards are present requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  WSU's Occupational Health & Safety unit conducts hazard assessments to determine if airborne hazards require the use of respiratory protection and if noise levels require the use of hearing protectors.

The Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment and Certification Guidelines may be used to conduct assessments in non-laboratory workplaces. Hazard assessments are to be documented on the Workplace Hazard Assessment Certification Form.  An example of a completed form can be seen here.

Laboratories should use the Laboratory Safety Manual, Section 4, Standard Operating Procedures to assess and document chemical hazards, select PPE and record training.

A hazard assessment should be conducted whenever new equipment or processes are introduced or an investigation of an injury or illness indicates the need for personal protective equipment.

Training

Departments are to train employees to use personal protective equipment. This training includes:

  • Why, when, and what PPE is necessary
  • How to properly put on and take off, adjust, and wear PPE
  • Selection criteria & limitations of PPE
  • Proper care, inspection and maintenance, useful life, and disposal of PPE


Training is to be documented using the Personal Protective Equipment Training Certification form.

Resources

Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment and Certification Guidelines

Workplace Hazard Assessment Certification Form

Workplace Hazard Assessment Certification Form Completed Example

Personal Protective Equipment Training Certification

Fact Sheet: Eye and Fact Protection, The Eyes Have It

Fact Sheet: Foot and Leg Protection, In Step with Safety

Fact Sheet: Hand Protection, Hand in Glove with Safety

Fact Sheet: Workplace Hazard Assessment: PPE

Check-out a Video:

#OHS-26 "PPE for Head, Eye/Face, Hand and Foot"
#OHS-27 "Hand Safety"
#OHS-28 "Eye Protection - A New Approach"

Safety Policies and Procedures Manual: Personal Protective Equipment

Contact Us

Environmental Health & Safety, PO Box 641172, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1172, 509-335-3041, Contact Us