Personal Protective Equipment
Gloves
-
Oklahoma
State Chemical Guide - This is a wonderful site to help choose
the appropriate type of glove for a specific chemical based on breakthrough
time.
Respirators can significantly reduce the level of exposure of a particular substance when used correctly. However, respirators should not be the first option for reducing exposure. It is always best to eliminate a hazard first if possible, by administrative techniques, i.e., shorter work interval times, or by engineering techniques such as utilizing a fume hood to reduce exposure.
In order to better assess the need for a respirator, please call the UAF Industrial Hygienist at 474-6671, to coordinate environmental and/or personal sampling evaluations. The results from the samples will indicate the level of exposure. Once the exposure concentration is known, it will help in assessing the degree of protection needed.
Before you wear a respirator…
Although respirators
reduce exposure, they can cause a physiological burden on employees. There
are several mandatory steps that must be taken before employees are permitted
to use respirators when required in the work place. These include:
· Medical Evaluation
· Annual Fit Tests
· Induction in to a Respirator Protection Program
· Training on the selection, use, care, limitations, maintenance, storage,
and other aspects of wearing a respirator.
All these items can be easily arranged and completed, but the need must first be communicated to EHS&RM. Please call out office at x 5413 to initiate the process.
If you choose to wear a respirator …
If you choose
to wear a respirator when it is not required under the OSHA standard 20
CFR 1910.134,
There are guidelines that must be provided to you as an employee. These guidelines
can be found under Appendix
D of the standard but please call EHS&RM for further instructions
on the use of a respirator.
Eye and face protection is arguable the most important protective measure one can take in the lab. Eye or face protection must be worn when hazards to the eye or face are present. These hazards include but are not limited to:
Flying
particles |
Molten
metal |
Liquid
Chemicals |
Acids
or Caustic Liquids |
Light
radiation |
Chemical
gases or vapors |
Only protective eye gear that complies with ANSI A87-1989 should be worn. Gear that complies with ANSI A87-1989 will have “Z87.1” or “Z94.3” stamped on the equipment.
EHS&RM has a limited supply of safety glasses. If your lab needs help in supplying safety glasses, call us and we will help establish initial supplies for the lab. It is the departments’ responsibility to replace them as needed.
Check out
OSHA’s
training pages on Eye and Face Protection and other PPE
Page last update on 8/1/07 by A.Chism