OSHA requires that personal protective equipment:

ü      Protects each employee from the identified hazards.

ü      Is of safe design and construction.

ü      Is sanitary and reliable.

ü      Provides each employee with a good fit.

ü      Provides more than the minimum required protection.

ü      Protects against multiple hazards when necessary.

ü      Meets American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

     standards.

PPE fits well when it:

          1.       Provides you with the protection you need.

          2.      Is comfortable enough to allow you to move and

                    perform your job.

PPE is designed to protect you while providing the greatest possible comfort.  It can seem heavy or awkward.  The best way to get used to PPE is to practice wearing it.

Inspect PPE before every use.  Don’t use PPE that is defective or damaged in any way.

Caring for PPE includes the following:

ü      Always check PPE for damage after you use it.

ü      Clean PPE before putting it way.

ü      Dispose of single-use or damaged PPE properly.

ü      Store PPE appropriately.

Your responsibility to keep yourself safe while wearing PPE include the following:

ü Learn when to use PPE.

ü Know how to use PPE correctly.

ü Use the correct PPE whenever the job requires it to be worn.

ü Maintain PPE.

Each piece of PPE is designed to protect against particular hazards.  Make sure you always wear the appropriate PPE to protect you from the hazards you are exposed to on the job.