Maintenance Of Protective Equipment

Without proper maintenance, protective equipment will not be able to offer the same level of protection. Carry out maintenance on protective equipment by:

· Inspecting the protective equipment with every use to guarantee your safety has not been comprised.
· Making sure there are no cracks, tears, or holes within the equipment.
· Washing it in warm soapy water if reusable, and letting it dry. However, consult the manufacturer before attempting this.
· At the end of the day, protective equipment should be kept in a cool dry place.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Protective equipment should not be worn just at the moment of interacting with the industrial hazard, but rather personal protective equipment should be worn long before the employee is going to come into contact with the industrial hazard. Having the protective equipment in place continually will ensure maximum safety is achieved.

An example of this concept would be having goggles in place before handling a chemical. Trying to put goggles on while a chemical is splashing will not protect your face. So remember to wear protective equipment before any accidents occur.

Additional Protective Equipment Information

Various Web sites exist to provide additional information about protective equipment. However, the best source of information is located on the Federal government's OSHA website [http://www.osha.gov]. The most up-to-date information about protective equipment is available on this Web site.

Personal Protective Equipment Education

Educating yourself and others is one of the first steps to ensuring a safe environment is maintained. Employees should make it a point to keep abreast of current or revised OSHA regulations.

It is advantageous for you to know the proper guidelines for wearing protective equipment, and making sure you comply with them. Your health and life are at risk by failing to comply with these guidelines. Therefore, waiting for your employer to do something, does not benefit you.

Designing Your Own Protective Equipment Program

Industrial safety experts recommend first assessing areas that will need to be addressed, when setting up your own protective equipment program.

Setting up your own protective equipment program will also involve the coordination of higher management and the lower-level employees, for it to be effective. Communication between all departments to the protective equipment program coordinator is essential to ensure safety needs are being met.

Regardless, of how well planned out a protective equipment program is, the true test of its success is in the decline in the amount of injuries occurring, by monitoring statistics as the program is carried out.

When To Consider Wearing Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment should be worn whenever there is a risk to another person's health because of their job. Protective equipment should also be worn when an employee is exposed to dangerous chemicals that cause damage to the skin or eyes. This type of equipment ranges from hard hats and safety goggles to shoe covers and rubber gloves. Protective equipment is especially needed in areas where the temperature is too high or two low.



Another area to consider wearing protective equipment would be during the use of lasers or radiation. Protecting the eyes and body from the harmful effects of a laser or radiation, can ensure safety in industrial situations.

An Example Of A Personal Protective Equipment Program

The Center For Disease Control (CDC) can be used as an example of a successful “Personal Protective Equipment Program.” The CDC is responsible for testing the effects of hazardous chemicals on the body, and looking for cures for infections and other pathogens.

The CDC's Protective Equipment Program is divided into two parts – a personal protective equipment program for the head, neck, and extremities, and another part of the protective equipment program for the auditory and respiratory system.



The Federal government's “Office of Health and Safety” (OHS) has been awarded the honor of administering the CDC's “Personal Protective Equipment Program." The OHS is diligent in updating, reviewing, and monitoring the protective equipment program due to the safety risks involved.

Protective Equipment Training

Protective equipment training can occur in many forms. It can be carried out using a demonstrator, overheads, a presentation, or DVD video. Regardless of the method chosen, protective equipment training is something, which cannot be overlooked.

The basic components of protective equipment training include training employees to efficiently wear protective equipment, training employees to maintain protective equipment, and educating them on the ability to assess when protective equipment is necessary.

Personal protective equipment training should also be able to convince employees that they are not invincible while wearing protective equipment, and there are restrictions to the level of protection they possess.

Protective Equipment – An Overview

Protective equipment refers to the apparatus or equipment designed to safeguard employees in various industries. Protective equipment usually refers to items such as 3M respirators, tyvek suits, safety glasses, earplugs, work gloves, and shoe covers, and dust masks.

The purpose of personal protective equipment is to protect the body from a various injuries resulting, for example, from mechanical, chemical, and thermal hazards.

OSHA Regulations On Personal Protective Equipment

The majority of the regulations written in regards to protective equipment is found within the OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.132 Subpart I.

The main premise of this OSHA regulation states the necessity for employers to continually monitor and assess the safety of the workplace environment. Based on this assessment, employers should provide protective equipment to all of its employees working in the areas, which require it - while monitoring workplace safety.

The regulations set forth by the OSHA might seem general, but they state the responsibility of the employer to provide the necessary environment and equipment for their employees.