Personal Protective Equipment

Supervisors and Principle Investigators conduct assessments to evaluate whether hazards are present requiring personal protective equipment (PPE).  WSU’s EH&S Occupational Health & Safety unit conducts hazard assessments to evaluate airborne hazards potentially requiring the use of respiratory protection and noise levels that may require the use of hearing protection.

The Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment and Certification Guidelines may be used to support hazard 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 reference the Laboratory Safety Manual, Section 4, and prepare Standard Operating Procedures  evaluating chemical hazards, identifying engineering and administrative controls, supporting PPE selection and documenting training.

Hazard assessments should be conducted whenever new equipment or processes are introduced or an injury or illness investigation indicates the need for personal protective equipment.

Training

Departments are to provide PPE and train employees using PPE. 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

WSU provides employees PPE training via Human Resource Services’ Learning and Organizational Development website, see our Training page for more information.

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
• PPE Training
• Safety Policies and Procedures Manual: Personal Protective Equipment