10 Jan Personal Protective Equipment – PPE and Work Clothing

Personal Protective Equipment – PPE and Work Clothing

Proper work clothing is an important part of workplace safety. Clothing should protect employees from environmental and job-related hazards without creating additional hazards such as entanglement, heat stress, restricted movement, or exposure to hazardous substances.

Before work begins, the required PPE and protective clothing should be identified through the applicable hazard assessment. Employees must understand what PPE is required for the jobsite and specific tasks they perform.

Dress for the Weather

Outdoor work and work in areas without climate control can expose employees to heat, cold, rain, wind, and changing weather conditions.

Employees should:

• Check anticipated weather conditions before beginning work.
• Dress in layers when conditions may change.
• Wear clothing appropriate for hot, cold, wet, or windy conditions.
• Wear shirts and other required protective clothing even during hot weather.
• Use lightweight, breathable clothing when appropriate for heat exposure.
• Protect exposed skin from excessive sun exposure.
• Wear appropriate rain gear and waterproof clothing during wet conditions.
• Replace wet clothing when necessary, particularly during cold-weather work.
• Take required rest, warm-up, or cool-down breaks.

Do not remove required PPE or protective clothing because you are hot. If you develop symptoms of heat stress, stop work, move to an appropriate recovery area, and notify your supervisor according to company procedures.

Head Protection

Wear a hard hat whenever required by the jobsite or when hazards exist from falling or flying objects, electrical exposure, or other potential head injuries.

Cold-weather liners or other accessories used with hard hats must be compatible with the equipment and must not interfere with its fit or protective function.

Eye and Face Protection

Wear eye and face protection appropriate for the hazard.

Depending on the task, protection may include:

• Safety glasses with side protection.
• Safety goggles.
• Chemical splash goggles.
• Face shields worn with appropriate primary eye protection.
• Specialized protection for welding, cutting, or other operations involving harmful light radiation.

Inspect eye and face protection before use and replace damaged equipment.

Shirts and Pants

Work clothing should provide appropriate coverage without creating an entanglement hazard.

• Wear shirts appropriate for the task and environmental conditions.
• Wear long pants unless another type of clothing is specifically permitted by company or site requirements.
• Keep clothing reasonably close-fitting around machinery and moving equipment.
• Secure loose sleeves and garments where they could become caught.
• Avoid torn clothing that could snag on equipment or materials.
• Wear high-visibility garments when required by traffic or mobile-equipment hazards.

Certain work, such as welding, electrical work, chemical handling, or hot work, may require specialized protective clothing.

Foot Protection

Wear footwear appropriate for the hazards and working conditions.

Depending on the job, footwear may require:

• Safety toes.
• Puncture-resistant soles.
• Electrical-hazard protection.
• Chemical resistance.
• Waterproof construction.
• Slip-resistant soles.
• Metatarsal protection.

Keep footwear in good condition and replace it when excessive wear or damage reduces its protective capability.

Hand Protection

Wear gloves appropriate for the specific hazard. Different glove materials provide different levels of protection against:

• Cuts and abrasions.
• Punctures.
• Chemicals.
• Heat and cold.
• Rough materials.
• Biological contaminants.

Inspect gloves before use and replace damaged or contaminated gloves.

Do not wear gloves around exposed rotating equipment when they could become caught and pull the hand into the machinery.

Clothing Hazards

The clothing you wear should never create an additional workplace hazard.

Watch for:

• Loose or dangling clothing near machinery.
• Jewelry, lanyards, neckties, or other items that could become entangled.
• Unsecured long hair around moving equipment.
• Clothing contaminated with flammable or hazardous substances.
• Torn or damaged garments.
• Wet clothing during cold-weather work.
• Clothing that interferes with required PPE.

Remove contaminated clothing promptly when required and follow established procedures for cleaning, decontamination, or disposal.

Keep Work Clothing Clean

Dirty or contaminated clothing can increase exposure to chemicals, oils, concrete, biological contaminants, and other workplace hazards.

Employees should:

• Keep work clothing reasonably clean and serviceable.
• Avoid allowing oils, fuels, solvents, or other flammable materials to accumulate on clothing.
• Change clothing that becomes significantly contaminated.
• Keep contaminated work clothing separate from clean clothing when required.
• Follow company procedures for laundering or disposing of contaminated clothing.

Never continue working in clothing saturated with a flammable or hazardous substance.

Remember

The clothes you wear are part of your overall protection. Dress for the work, the hazards, and the weather. Wear required PPE, keep clothing clean and properly fitted, and never allow clothing or accessories to create an additional hazard.