Damagix PPE Manual

PPE Manual Document Number: HSE-DAM-008
Document Type:
System/Subsystem: Rev. Date: 14/09/16
HSE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) PROGRAM
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT (PPE)
PROGRAM
Damagix PPE Manual

This document is the property of Damagix Nig. Limited who will safeguard its rights according to the civil and penal provisions of the law.
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INDEX
Section Subject Page
1 The Requirement for Personal Protective Equipment 3
2 The Hazard Assessment 3
3 Selecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 4
3.1 Eye and Face Protection 5
3.1.1 Prescription Lenses 5
3.1.2 Eye Protection for Exposed Workers 6
3.1.3 Types of Eye Protection 6
3.1.4 Welding Operation 7
3.1.5 Laser Operations 9
3.2 Head Protection 10
3.2.1 Types of Hard Hats 11
3.2.2 Size and Care Consideration (Hard Hats) 11
3.3 Foot and Leg Protection 12
3.3.1 Special Purpose Shoes 14
3.3.2 Care of Protective Footwear 14
3.4 Hand and Arm Protection 14
3.4.1 Types of Protective Gloves 15
3.4.2 Care of Protective Gloves 21
3.5 Body Protection 21
3.6 Hearing Protection 21
4 Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE 22

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Table 1 Filter Lenses for Protection against Radiant Energy 7

Table 2 Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade
Numbers for Protection against Radiant Energy 9
Table 3 Selecting Laser Safety Glass 9
Table 4 Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves 17
Table 5 Permissible Noise Exposure 21
1 The Requirement for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program
To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative
efforts of both management and employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe
and healthful work environment. In general, the company is responsible for:
 Performing a "hazard assessment" of the workplace to identify and control

 physical and health hazards.
 Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.
 Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.
 Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.
 Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE
 program.
In general, employees should:
 Properly wear PPE,

 Attend training sessions on PPE,
 Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and
 Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.
2 The Hazard Assessment
A first critical step in developing a comprehensive program is to identify physical and health
hazards in the workplace. This process is known as a "hazard assessment." Potential
hazards may be physical or health-related and a comprehensive hazard assessment will
identify hazards in both categories. Examples of physical hazards include moving objects,
fluctuating temperatures, high intensity lighting, rolling or pinching objects, electrical
connections and sharp edges. Examples of health hazards include overexposure to harmful
dusts, chemicals or radiation.
The hazard assessment should begin with a walk-through survey of the facility to develop a
list of potential hazards in the following basic hazard categories:
 Impact,
 Penetration,
 Compression (roll-over),
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 Chemical,
 Heat/cold,
 Harmful dust,
 Light (optical) radiation, and
 Biologic.
In addition to noting the basic layout of the facility and reviewing any history of
occupational illnesses or injuries, during the walk-through survey include the following
will be identified:
 Sources of electricity.
 Sources of motion such as machines or processes where movement may exist that
could result in an impact between personnel and equipment.
 Sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye injuries or fire.
 Types of chemicals used in the workplace.
 Sources of harmful dusts.
 Sources of light radiation, such as welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, heat
 treating, high intensity lights, etc.
 The potential for falling or dropping objects.
 Sharp objects that could poke, cut, stab or puncture.
 Biologic hazards such as blood or other potentially infected material.
When the walk-through is complete, the company will organize and analyze the data so that
it may be efficiently used in determining the proper types of PPE required at the worksite.
Damagix Nigeria Limited (Damagix) will definitely select PPE that will provide a level of
protection greater than the minimum required to protect employees from hazards.
The workplace should be periodically reassessed for any changes in conditions, equipment
or operating procedures that could affect occupational hazards. This periodic reassessment
should also include a review of injury and illness records to spot any trends or areas of
concern and taking appropriate corrective action. The suitability of existing PPE, including an
evaluation of its condition and age, should be included in the reassessment.
Documentation of the hazard assessment is required through a written certification that

includes the following information:
 Identification of the workplace evaluated;

 Name of the person conducting the assessment;
 Date of the assessment; and
 Identification of the document certifying completion of the hazard assessment.
A detailed and Comprehensive Risk Assessment Management is in place.
3 Selecting PPE
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Damagix will take the fit and comfort of PPE into consideration when selecting appropriate
items for the workplace. Most protective devices are available in multiple sizes and care will
be taken to select the proper size for each employee. If several different types of PPE are
worn at the same time; we will make sure that they are compatible. If PPE does not fit
properly, employees must ask for replacement, since this can make the difference between
being safely covered or dangerously exposed. It may not provide the level of protection
desired.
Existing PPE stocks must meet the ANSI standard in effect at the time of its manufacture or
provide protection equivalent to PPE manufactured to the ANSI criteria.
OSHA requires PPE to meet the following ANSI standards:
 Eye and Face Protection

 Head Protection
 Foot Protection
For hand protection, selection is based upon the tasks to be performed and the
performance and construction characteristics of the glove material. For protection
against chemicals, glove selection must be based on the chemicals encountered, the
chemical resistance and the physical properties of the glove material.
3.1 Eye and Face Protection
Employees can be exposed to a large number of hazards that pose danger to their eyes
and face. Damagix will ensure that employees have appropriate eye or face protection if
they are exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid
chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, potentially infected
material or potentially harmful light radiation.
Many occupational eye injuries occur because workers are not wearing any eye
protection while others result from wearing improper or poorly fitting eye protection.
Management will frown at workers who do not wear appropriate eye and face
protection and that the selected form of protection is appropriate to the work being
performed and properly fits each worker exposed to the hazard.
3.1.1 Prescription Lenses

Everyday use of prescription corrective lenses will not provide adequate protection
against most occupational eye and face hazards, so for the benefit of those who are on
prescription lenses they must either wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription
into the design or wear additional eye protection over their prescription lenses. It is important
to ensure that the protective eyewear does not disturb the proper positioning of the
prescription lenses so that the employee’s vision will not be inhibited or limited. Also,
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employees who wear contact lenses must wear eye or face PPE when working in hazardous
conditions.
3.1.2 Eye Protection for Exposed Workers
Damagix suggests that eye protection be routinely considered for use by electricians,
machinists, mechanics, millwrights, pipe fitters, sheet metal workers, assemblers,
sandblasters, grinding machine operators, sawyers, welders, labourers, and chemical
process handlers.
Examples of potential eye or face injuries include:
 Dust, dirt, metal or wood chips entering the eye from activities such as chipping,
grinding, sawing, hammering, the use of power tools or even strong wind forces.
 Chemical splashes from corrosive substances, hot liquids, solvents or other
hazardous solutions.
 Objects swinging into the eye or face, such as tree limbs, chains, tools or ropes.
 Radiant energy from welding, harmful rays from the use of lasers or other radiant light
(as well as heat, glare, sparks, splash and flying particles).
3.1.3 Types of Eye Protection
The eye and face protection selected for employee use must clearly identify the
manufacturer. Any new eye and face protective devices must comply with ANSI Z87.11989.
Protective eyewear with corrective lenses may only be used by the employee for whom the
corrective prescription was issued and may not be shared among employees. Some of the
most common types of eye and face protection include the following:
 Safety spectacles. These protective eyeglasses have safety frames constructed of

metal or plastic and impact-resistant lenses. Side shields are available on some
models.
 Goggles. These are tight-fitting eye protection that completely cover the eyes, eye
sockets and the facial area immediately surrounding the eyes and provide protection
from impact, dust and splashes. Some goggles will fit over corrective lenses.
 Welding shields. Made of vulcanized fiber or fiberglass and fitted with a filtered lens,
welding shields protect eyes from burns caused by infrared or intense radiant light;
they also protect both the eyes and face from flying sparks, metal spatter and slag
chips produced during welding, brazing, soldering and cutting operations. Safety
Standards requires filter lenses to have a shade number appropriate to protect against
the specific hazards of the work being performed in order to protect against harmful
light radiation.
 Laser safety goggles. These specialty goggles protect against intense
concentrations of light produced by lasers.
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 Face shields. These transparent sheets of plastic extend from the eyebrows to below
the chin and across the entire width of the employee’s head. Some are polarized for
glare protection. Face shields protect against nuisance dusts and potential splashes
or sprays of hazardous liquids but will not provide adequate protection against impact
hazards. Face shields used in combination with goggles or safety spectacles will
provide additional protection against impact hazards.
Each type of protective eyewear is designed to protect against specific hazards. Through
hazard assessment we can identify the specific workplace hazards that threaten employees’
eyes and faces and provide the necessary PPE.
3.1.4 Welding Operations
The intense light associated with welding operations can cause serious and sometimes
permanent eye damage if operators do not wear proper eye protection. The intensity of light
or radiant energy produced by welding, cutting or brazing operations varies according to a
number of factors including the task producing the light, the electrode size and the arc
current. The following table shows the minimum protective shades for a variety of welding,
cutting and brazing operations the industry.
Table 1
Filter Lenses for Protection against Radiant Energy
Operations Electrode size in Arc current Minimum*
1/32” (0.8mm) protective

shade
Shielded metal <3 < 60 7
arc welding 3–5 60 – 160 8
5-8 160 - 250 10

Gas metal arc welding
>8 250 - 550 11
and flux cored
arc welding < 60 7
60 - 160 10
Gas tungsten 160 - 250 10
arc welding 250 - 500 < 50 10 8

50 - 150 8
Air carbon (light) < 500 10
150 - 500 10
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Arc cutting (heavy) 500 - 1,000 11

Plasma arc welding < 20 6
20 – 100 8
100 - 400 10
400 - 800 11
Plasma arc cutting (light)** < 300 8
(medium)** 300 - 400 9

(heavy)** 400 - 800 10
Torch brazing 3
Torch soldering 2
Carbon arc welding 14
Operations Plate thickness Plate thickness Minimum*
inches mm protective shade
Gas welding:
Light < 1/8 < 3.2 4
Gas welding:
Medium 1/8 - 1/2 3.2 - 12.7 5
Gas welding:
Heavy > 1/2 > 12.7 6
Oxygen cutting:
Light <1 < 25 3

Oxygen cutting:
Medium 1-6 25 - 150 4
Oxygen cutting:
Heavy >6 > 150 5
* As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then go to a
lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum.
In ox fuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable
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to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the (spectrum)
operation.
** These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter
filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the work piece.
Table 2
Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade
Numbers for Protection against Radiant Energy
Welding Operation Shade Number

Shielded metal-arc welding
1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes 10
Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous)
Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous)

Shielded metal-arc welding
3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-inch diameter electrodes 12

5/16-, 3/8-inch diameter electrodes 14
Atomic hydrogen welding 10 – 14
Carbon-arc welding 14
Soldering 2
Torch brazing 3 or 4
Light cutting, up to 1 inch 3 or 4
Medium cutting, 1 to 6 inches 4 or 5
Heavy cutting, more than 6 inches 5 or 6
Gas welding (light), up to 1/8-inch 4 or 5
Gas welding (medium), 1/8- to 1/2-inch 5 or 6
Gas welding (heavy), more than 1/2-inch 6 or 8
3.1.5 Laser Operations
Laser light radiation can be extremely dangerous to the unprotected eye and direct or
reflected beams can cause permanent eye damage. Laser retinal burns can be painless,
so it is essential that all personnel in or around laser operations wear appropriate eye
protection.
Laser safety goggles should protect for the specific wavelength of the laser and must be
of sufficient optical density for the energy involved. Safety goggles intended for use
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with laser beams must be labeled with the laser wavelengths for which they are
intended to be used, the optical density of those wavelengths and the visible light
transmission.
The table below lists maximum power or energy densities and appropriate protection
levels for optical densities 5 through 8.
Table 3
Selecting Laser Safety Glass
Intensity, CW maximum Attenuation

power density (watts/cm2)
Optical density Attenuation
(O.D.) factor
-2
10 5
105
-1
10 6
106
1.0 7 107
10.0 8 108
3.2 Head Protection
Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key element of our safety program. A
head injury can impair an employee for life or it can be fatal. Wearing a safety helmet or hard
hat is one of the easiest ways to protect an employee’s head from injury. Hard hats can
protect employees from impact and penetration hazards as well as from electrical shock and
burn hazards.
The Safety Administrator must ensure that their employees wear head protection if any of
the following apply:
 Objects might fall from above and strike them on the head;
 They might bump their heads against fixed objects, such as exposed pipes or beams;
or
 There is a possibility of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.
Some examples of activities in which employees should be required to wear head protection
include construction work, electrical, pipe laying, plumbing, welders, etc.
Whenever there is a danger of objects falling from above, such as working below others who
are using tools or working under a conveyor belt, head protection must be worn.
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Hard hats must be worn with the bill forward to protect employees properly.
In general, protective helmets or hard hats should do the following:
 Resist penetration by objects.

 Absorb the shock of a blow.
 Be water-resistant and slow burning.
 Have clear instructions explaining proper adjustment and replacement of the
suspension and headband.
Hard hats must have a hard outer shell and a shock-absorbing lining that incorporates a
headband and straps that suspend the shell from 1 to 1 1/4 inches (2.54 cm to 3.18 cm) away
from the head. This is designed to provide shock absorption during an impact and ventilation
during normal wear.
Protective headgear must meet ANSI Standard.
3.2.1 Types of Hard Hats
In addition to selecting protective headgear that meets ANSI standard requirements,

management will ensure that employees wear hard hats that provide appropriate protection
against potential workplace hazards. It is important for everyone to understand all potential
hazards when making this selection, including electrical hazards.
Hard hats are divided into three industrial classes:
 Class A hard hats provide impact and penetration resistance along with limited
voltage protection (up to 2,200 volts).
 Class B hard hats provide the highest level of protection against electrical hazards,
with high-voltage shock and burn protection (up to 20,000 volts). They also provide
protection from impact and penetration hazards by flying/falling objects.
 Class C hard hats provide lightweight comfort and impact protection but offer no
protection from electrical hazards.
Another class of protective headgear on the market is called a “bump hat,” designed for use
in areas with low head clearance. They are recommended for areas where protection is
needed from head bumps and lacerations. These are not designed to protect against falling
or flying objects and are not ANSI approved. It is essential to check the type of hard hat you
are using to ensure that the equipment provides appropriate protection.
Each hat should bear a label inside the shell that lists the manufacturer, the designation and
the class of the hat.
3.2.2 Size and Care Considerations
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Head protection that is either too large or too small is inappropriate for use, even if it meets
all other requirements. Protective headgear must fit appropriately on the body and for the
head size of each individual. Most protective headgear comes in a variety of sizes with
adjustable headbands to ensure a proper fit (many adjust in 1/8-inch increments). A proper
fit should allow sufficient clearance between the shell and the suspension system for
ventilation and distribution of an impact. The hat should not bind, slip, fall off or irritate the
skin.
Some protective headgear allows for the use of various accessories to help employees deal
with changing environmental conditions, such as slots for earmuffs, safety glasses, face
shields and mounted lights. Optional brims may provide additional protection from the sun
and some hats have channels that guide rainwater away from the face.
Protective headgear accessories must not compromise the safety elements of the
equipment.
Periodic cleaning and inspection will extend the useful life of protective headgear. A daily
inspection of the hard hat shell, suspension system and other accessories for holes, cracks,
tears or other damage that might compromise the protective value of the hat is essential.
Paints, paint thinners and some cleaning agents can weaken the shells of hard hats and may
eliminate electrical resistance. Consult the helmet manufacturer for information on the effects
of paint and cleaning materials on their hard hats. Never drill holes, paint or apply labels to
protective headgear as this may reduce the integrity of the protection. Do not store protective
headgear in direct sunlight, such as on the rear window shelf of a car, since sunlight and
extreme heat can damage them.
Hard hats with any of the following defects should be removed from service and replaced:
 Perforation, cracking, or deformity of the brim or shell;

 Indication of exposure of the brim or shell to heat, chemicals or ultraviolet light and
other radiation (in addition to a loss of surface gloss, such signs include chalking or
flaking).
Always replace a hard hat if it sustains an impact, even if damage is not noticeable.
Suspension systems are offered as replacement parts and should be replaced when
damaged or when excessive wear is noticed. It is not necessary to replace the entire hard
hat when deterioration or tears of the suspension systems are noticed.
3.3 Foot and Leg Protection
Employees who face possible foot or leg injuries from falling or rolling objects or from
crushing or penetrating materials should wear protective footwear. Also, employees whose
work involves exposure to hot substances or corrosive or poisonous materials must have
protective gear to cover exposed body parts, including legs and feet. If an employee’s feet
may be exposed to electrical hazards, non-conductive footwear should be worn. On the other
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hand, workplace exposure to static electricity may necessitate the use of conductive
footwear.
Examples of situations in which an employee should wear foot and/or leg protection include:
When heavy objects such as barrels or tools might roll onto or fall on the employee’s feet;
Working with sharp objects such as nails or spikes that could pierce the soles or uppers of
ordinary shoes;
Exposure to molten metal that might splash on feet or legs;
Working on or around hot, wet or slippery surfaces; and
Working when electrical hazards are present. Safety footwear must meet ANSI minimum
compression and impact performance standards in ANSI Z41-1991 (American National
Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear) or provide equivalent protection. All
ANSI approved footwear has a protective toe and offers impact and compression protection.
But the type and amount of protection is not always the same. Different footwear protects in
different ways.
Check the product’s labeling or consult the manufacturer to make sure the footwear will
protect the user from the hazards they face.
Foot and leg protection choices include the following:
 Leggings protect the lower legs and feet from heat hazards such as molten metal or
welding sparks. Safety snaps allow leggings to be removed quickly.
 Metatarsal guards protect the instep area from impact and compression. Made of
aluminum, steel, fiber or plastic, these guards may be strapped to the outside of shoes.
 Toe guards fit over the toes of regular shoes to protect the toes from impact and
compression hazards. They may be made of steel, aluminum or plastic.
 Combination foot and shin guards protect the lower legs and feet, and may be used
in combination with toe guards when greater protection is needed.
 Safety shoes have impact-resistant toes and heat-resistant soles that protect the feet
against hot work surfaces common in roofing, paving and hot metal industries. The
metal insoles of some safety shoes protect against puncture wounds. Safety shoes
may also be designed to be electrically conductive to prevent the buildup of static
electricity in areas with the potential for explosive atmospheres or non-conductive to
protect workers from workplace electrical hazards.
3.3.1 Special Purpose Shoes
A. Electrically conductive shoes
They provide protection against the buildup of static electricity. Employees working in
explosive and hazardous locations or grain elevators must wear conductive shoes to reduce
the risk of static electricity buildup on the body that could produce a spark and cause an
explosion or fire. Foot powder should not be used in conjunction with protective conductive
footwear because it provides insulation, reducing the conductive ability of the shoes. Silk,
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wool and nylon socks can produce static electricity and should not be worn with conductive
footwear. Conductive shoes must be removed when the task requiring their use is completed.
Note: Employees exposed to electrical hazards must never wear conductive shoes.
B. Electrical hazard, safety-toe shoes
They are non-conductive and will prevent the wearers’ feet from completing an electrical
circuit to the ground. These shoes can protect against open circuits of up to 600 volts in dry
conditions and should be used in conjunction with other insulating equipment and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of a worker becoming a path for hazardous electrical energy.
The insulating protection of electrical hazard, safety-toe shoes may be compromised if the
shoes become wet, the soles are worn through, metal particles become embedded in the
sole or heel, or workers touch conductive, grounded items. Note: Non-conductive footwear
must not be used in explosive or hazardous locations.
3.3.2 Care of Protective Footwear
As with all protective equipment, safety footwear should be inspected prior to each use.
Shoes and leggings should be checked for wear and tear at reasonable intervals. This
includes looking for cracks or holes, separation of materials, broken buckles or laces. The
soles of shoes should be checked for pieces of metal or other embedded items that could
present electrical or tripping hazards. Employees should follow the manufacturers’
recommendations for cleaning and maintenance of protective footwear.
3.4 Hand and Arm Protection
If a workplace hazard assessment reveals that employees face potential injury to hands and
arms that cannot be eliminated through engineering and work practice controls, the company
will ensure that employees wear appropriate protection. Potential hazards include skin
absorption of harmful substances, chemical or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises,
abrasions, cuts, punctures, fractures and amputations. Protective equipment includes
gloves, finger guards and arm coverings or elbow-length gloves.
3.4.1 Types of Protective Gloves
There are many types of gloves available today to protect against a wide variety of hazards.
The nature of the hazard and the operation involved will affect the selection of gloves. The
variety of potential occupational hand injuries makes selecting the right pair of gloves
challenging. It is essential that employees use gloves specifically designed for the hazards
and tasks found in their workplace because gloves designed for one function may not protect
against a different function even though they may appear to be an appropriate protective
device.
The following are examples of some factors that may influence the selection of protective
gloves for a workplace.
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 Type of chemicals handled.

 Nature of contact (total immersion, splash, etc.).
 Duration of contact.
 Area requiring protection (hand only, forearm, arm).
 Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily).
 Thermal protection.
 Size and comfort.
 Abrasion/resistance requirements.
Gloves made from a wide variety of materials are designed for many types of workplace
hazards. In general, gloves fall into four groups:
 Gloves made of leather, canvas or metal mesh;

 Fabric and coated fabric gloves;
 Chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves;
 Insulating rubber gloves
A. Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves

Sturdy gloves made from metal mesh, leather or canvas provides protection against cuts
and burns. Leather or canvass gloves also protect against sustained heat.
 Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips and rough
objects.
 Aluminized gloves provide reflective and insulating protection against heat and
require an insert made of synthetic materials to protect against heat and cold.
 Aramid fiber gloves protect against heat and cold, are cut – and abrasive – resistant
and wear well.
 Synthetic gloves of various materials offer protection against heat and cold are cut
– and abrasive – resistant and may withstand some diluted acids. These materials do
not stand up against alkalis and solvents.
B. Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves
Fabric and coated fabric gloves are made of cotton or other fabric to provide varying degrees
of protection.
 Fabric gloves protect against dirt, slivers, chafing and abrasions. They do not provide
sufficient protection for use with rough, sharp or heavy materials.
Adding a plastic coating will strengthen some fabric gloves.
 Coated fabric gloves are normally made from cotton flannel with napping on one
side. By coating the untapped side with plastic, fabric gloves are transformed into
general-purpose hand protection offering slip-resistant qualities. These gloves are
used for tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire to chemical laboratory
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containers. When selecting gloves to protect against chemical exposure hazards,

always check with the manufacturer or review the manufacturer’s product literature to
determine the gloves’ effectiveness against specific workplace chemicals and
conditions.
C. Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves
Chemical-resistant gloves are made with different kinds of rubber: natural, butyl, neoprene,
nitrile and fluorocarbon (Viton); or various kinds of plastic: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl
alcohol and polyethylene. These materials can be blended or laminated for better
performance. As a general rule, the thicker the glove material, the greater the chemical
resistance but thick gloves may impair grip and dexterity, having a negative impact on safety.
Some examples of chemical-resistant gloves include:
 Butyl gloves are made of a synthetic rubber and protect against a wide variety of
chemicals, such as peroxide, rocket fuels, highly corrosive acids (nitric acid, sulfuric
acid, hydrofluoric acid and red-fuming nitric acid), strong bases, alcohols, aldehydes,
ketones, esters and nitro compounds. Butyl gloves also resist oxidation, ozone
corrosion and abrasion, and remain flexible at low temperatures. Butyl rubber does
not perform well with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated solvents.
 Natural (latex) rubber gloves are comfortable to wear, which makes them a popular
general-purpose glove. They feature outstanding tensile strength, elasticity and
temperature resistance. In addition to resisting abrasions caused by grinding and
polishing, these gloves protect workers’ hands from most water solutions of acids,
alkalis, salts and ketones. Latex gloves have caused allergic reactions in some
individuals and may not be appropriate for all employees. Hypoallergenic gloves,
glove liners and powderless gloves are possible alternatives for workers who are
allergic to latex gloves.
 Neoprene gloves are made of synthetic rubber and offer good pliability, finger
dexterity, high density and tear resistance. They protect against hydraulic fluids,
gasoline, alcohols, organic acids and alkalis. They generally have chemical and wear
resistance properties superior to those made of natural rubber.
 Nitrile gloves are made of a copolymer and provide protection from chlorinated
solvents such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Although intended for jobs
requiring dexterity and sensitivity, nitrile gloves stand up to heavy use even after
prolonged exposure to substances that cause other gloves to deteriorate.
 They offer protection when working with oils, greases, acids, caustics and alcohols
but are generally not recommended for use with strong oxidizing agents, aromatic
solvents, ketones and acetates.
The following table shows the ratings of various gloves as well as protection against specific
chemicals, it will help you select the most appropriate gloves to protect you when the need
arises. The ratings are abbreviated as follows: VG: Very Good; G: Good; F: Fair; P: Poor (not
recommended). Chemicals marked with an asterisk (*) are for limited service.
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Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves
Chemical Neoprene Latex/Rubber Butyl Nitrile

Acetaldehyde* VG G VG G
Acetic acid VG VG VG VG
Acetone* G VG VG P
Ammonium hydroxide VG VG VG VG
Amy acetate* F P F P
Aniline G F F P
Benzaldehyde* F F G G
Benzene* P P P F
Butyl acetate G F F P
Butyl alcohol VG VG VG VG
Carbon disulfide F F F F
Carbon tetrachloride* F P P G
Castor oil F P F VG
Chlorobenzene* F P F P
Chloroform* G P P F
Chloronaphthalene F P F F
Chromic acid (50%) F P F F
Citric acid (10%) VG VG VG VG
Cyclohexanol G F G VG
Dibutyl phthalate* G P G G
Diesel fuel G P P VG
Diisobutyl ketone P F G P
Dimethylformamide F F G G
Dioctyl phthalate G P F VG
Dioxane VG G G G
Epoxy resins, dry VG VG VG VG
Ethyl acetate* G F G F
Ethyl alcohol VG VG VG VG
Ethyl ether* VG G VG G
Ethylene dichloride* F P F P
Ethylene glycol VG VG VG VG
Formaldehyde VG VG VG VG
Formic acid VG VG VG VG
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Freon 11 G P F G
Freon 12 G P F G
Freon 21 G P F G
Freon 22 G P F G
Furfural* G G G G
Gasoline, leaded G P F VG
Gasoline, unleaded G P F VG
Glycerin VG VG VG VG
Hexane F P P G
Hydrazine (65%) F G G G
Hydrochloric acid VG G G G
Hydrofluoric acid (48%) VG G G G
Hydrogen peroxide G G G G
(30%)
Hydroquinone G G G F
Isooctane F P P VG
Kerosene VG F F VG
Ketones G VG VG P
Lacquer thinners G F F P
Lactic acid (85%) VG VG VG VG
Lauric acid (36%) VG F VG VG
Lineolic acid VG P F G
Linseed oil VG P F VG
Maleic acid VG VG VG VG
Methyl alcohol VG VG VG VG
Methylamine F F G G
Methyl bromide G F G F
Methyl chloride* P P P P
Methyl ethyl ketone* G G VG P
Methyl isobutyl ketone* F F VG P
Methyl metharcrylate G G VG F
Monoethanolamine VG G VG VG
Morpholine VG VG VG G
Naphthalene G F F G
Napthas, aliphatic VG F F VG
Napthas, aromatic G P P G
Nitric acid* G F F F
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Nitric acid, red and P P P P
white fuming
Nitromethane (95.5%)* F P F F
Nitropropane (95.5%) F P F F
Octyl alcohol VG VG VG VG
Oleic acid VG F G VG
Oxalic acid VG VG VG VG
Palmitic acid VG VG VG VG
Perchloric acid (60%) VG F G G
Perchloroethylene F P P G
Petroleum distillates G P P VG
(naphtha)
Phenol VG F G F
Phosphoric acid VG G VG VG
Potassium hydroxide VG VG VG VG
Propyl acetate G F G F
Propyl alcohol VG VG VG VG
Propyl alcohol (iso) VG VG VG VG
Sodium hydroxide VG VG VG VG
Styrene P P P F
Styrene (100%) P P P F
Sulfuric acid G G G G
Tannic acid (65) VG VG VG VG
Tetrahydrofuran P F F F
Toluene* F P P F
Toluene diisocyanate F G G F
(TDI)
Trichloroethylene* F F P G
Triethanolamine (85%) VG G G VG
Tung oil VG P F VG
Turpentine G F F VG
Xylene* P P P F
Note: When selecting chemical-resistant gloves be sure to consult the manufacturer’s

recommendations, especially if the gloved hand(s) will be immersed in the chemical.
3.4.2 Care of Protective Gloves
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Protective gloves should be inspected before each use to ensure that they are not torn,
punctured or made ineffective in any way. A visual inspection will help detect cuts or tears
but a more thorough inspection by filling the gloves with water and tightly rolling the cuff
towards the fingers will help reveal any pinhole leaks. Gloves that are discoloured or stiff may
also indicate deficiencies caused by excessive use or degradation from chemical exposure.
Any glove with impaired protective ability should be discarded and replaced. Reuse of
chemical-resistant gloves should be evaluated carefully, taking into consideration the
absorptive qualities of the gloves. A decision to reuse chemically-exposed gloves should take
into consideration the toxicity of the chemicals involved and factors such as duration of
exposure, storage and temperature.
3.5 Body Protection
Employees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that cannot be eliminated through
engineering, work practice or administrative controls, must wear appropriate body protection
while performing their jobs. In addition to cuts and radiation, the following are examples of
workplace hazards that could cause bodily injury:
 Temperature extremes;
 Hot splashes from molten solids and other hot liquids;
 Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials;
 Hazardous chemicals.
There are many varieties of protective clothing available for specific hazards. Examples of
body protection include laboratory coats, coveralls, vests, jackets, aprons, surgical gowns
and full body suits.
If a hazard assessment indicates a need for full body protection against toxic substances or
harmful physical agents, the clothing should be carefully inspected before each use, it must
fit each worker properly and it must function properly and for the purpose for which it is
intended.
Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each effective against particular hazards,
such as:
 Paper-like fiber used for disposable suits provide protection against dust and
splashes.
 Treated wool and cotton adapts well to changing temperatures, is comfortable and
fire-resistant and protects against dust, abrasions and rough and irritating surfaces.
 Duck is a closely woven cotton fabric that protects against cuts and bruises when
handling heavy, sharp or rough materials.
 Leather is often used to protect against dry heat and flames.
 Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene and plastics protect against certain
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 chemicals and physical hazards. When chemical or physical hazards are present,
check with the clothing manufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide
protection against the specific hazard.
3.6 Hearing Protection
Determining the need to provide hearing protection for employees can be challenging.
Employee exposure to excessive noise depends upon a number of factors, including:
 The loudness of the noise as measured in decibels (dB).

 The duration of each employee’s exposure to the noise.
 Whether employees move between work areas with different noise levels.
 Whether noise is generated from one or multiple sources.
Generally, the louder the noise, the shorter the exposure time before hearing protection is
required. For instance, employees may be exposed to a noise level of 90 dB for 8 hours per
day (unless they experience a Standard Threshold Shift) before hearing protection is
required. On the other hand, if the noise level reaches 115 dB hearing protection is required
if the anticipated exposure exceeds 15 minutes.
For a more detailed discussion see the company’s “Hearing Conservation Program”.
Table 5, below, shows the permissible noise exposures that require hearing protection for
employees exposed to occupational noise at specific decibel levels for specific time periods.
Noises are considered continuous if the interval between occurrences of the maximum noise
level is one second or less. Noises not meeting this definition are considered impact or
impulse noises (loud momentary explosions of sound) and exposures to this type of noise
must not exceed 140 dB. Examples of situations or tools that may result in impact or impulse
noises are powder-actuated nail guns, a punch press or drop hammers.
Table 5
Permissible Noise Exposures
Duration per day, in hours Sound level in dB*

8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
1.5 102
1 105
0.5 110
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0.25 or Less 115
*When measured on the A scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response.
If engineering and work practice controls do not lower employee exposure to workplace noise
to acceptable levels, employees must wear appropriate hearing protection. It is important to
understand that hearing protectors reduce only the amount of noise that gets through to the
ears. The amount of this reduction is referred to as attenuation, which differs according to
the type of hearing protection used and how well it fits.
Hearing protectors worn by employees must reduce an employee’s noise exposure to within
the acceptable limits noted in Table 5. Manufacturers of hearing protection devices must
display the device’s NRR on the product packaging. If employees are exposed to
occupational noise at or above 85 dB averaged over an eight-hour period, the management
will institute a hearing conservation program that includes regular testing of employees’
hearing ability by qualified professionals.
Some types of hearing protection include:
 Single-use earplugs are made of waxed cotton, foam, silicone rubber or fiberglass
wool. They are self-forming and, when properly inserted, they work as well as most
molded earplugs.
 Pre-formed or molded earplugs must be individually fitted by a professional and can
be disposable or reusable. Reusable plugs should be cleaned after each use.
 Earmuffs require a perfect seal around the ear. Glasses, facial hair, long hair or facial
movements such as chewing may reduce the protective value of earmuffs.
4 Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE
It is mandatory for each employee to be trained on the use of PPE especially in areas the
affect them. Employees must be trained to know at least the following:
 When PPE is necessary.
 What PPE is necessary.
 How to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear the PPE.
 The limitations of the PPE.
 Proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE.
The Safety Administrator will make sure that each employee demonstrates an understanding
of the PPE training as well as the ability to properly wear and use PPE before they are allowed
to perform work requiring the use of the PPE. If an employee that has been previously trained
and the employee is not demonstrating the proper understanding and skill level in the use of
PPE, that employee will have to be receive retrained.
Other situations that require additional or re-training of employees include the following
circumstances:
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 Changes in the workplace or in the type of required PPE that make prior training
obsolete.
 When new staff are employed and if there are visitors at worksite.
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PPE Manual Document Number: HSE-DAM-008

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) PROGRAM