On

Personal Protective Equipment

Submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements under

“POST DIPLOMA IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY (PDIS)”

In the Academic Year of 2024-25

SUBMITTED BY

MANAS RANJAN SAHU

Enrollment No.:36

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

MR. GIRISH CHANDRA MISHRA (PRINCIPAL MDC ON SHE)
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Sri MANAS RANJAN SAHU, the student of MULTI
DISCIPLINARY CENTRE ON SAFETY HEALTH &
ENVIRONMENTAL, CHANDKA Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar had
undergone his PROJECT REPORT on A STUDY ON PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS as a part of his course POST DIPLOMA
IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

This project report prepared by Sri MANAS RANJAN SAHU was found to be
______________________________.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my deep sense of gratitude to the management of this esteem organization

MULTI DISCIPLINARY CENTRE ON SAFETY HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL,
CHANDKA Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar for granting me permission to complete
my Project Report and Course in POST DIPLOMA IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

I express my deep copious thanks to MR. GIRISH CHANDRA MISHRA

(PRINCIPAL MDC) and MR. ABHIMANYU POTHAL (PROFESSOR MDC)
and the other faculty of Multi Disciplinary Centre on Safety Health &
Environmental, Chandka Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar for giving me the
opportunity to successfully complete my PROJECT REPORT.

Sincerely,
MANAS RANJAN SAHU
STUDENT OF MDC ON SHE BBSR
 CONTENTS
Foreword

Introduction to Safety

Types of PPE‟S

Chapter 1 – Introduction to PPE

 1. What is Personal Protective Equipment?

 2. What is the purpose of using Personal protective equipment?

 3. How to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment?

 4. Choosing the right Personal protective equipment

 5. Management of PPE

 6. Role of worker

2. Categorization of Personal Protective Equipment

2.1 Non Respiratory

 2.1.1 Head Protection

 2.1.2 Eye and Face Protection

 2.1.3 Foot and Leg Protection

 2.1.4 Hand and Arm Protection

 2.1.5 Hearing protection
 2.1.6 Body and Skin Protection

2.2 Respiratory PPE

3. Conclusion
 FOREWORD

When I joined MUITI DISCIPLINARY CENTRE ON SAFETY , HEALTH &

ENVIRONMENT I came to find “Safety is needed in every corner of industry”.
Even in laboratory, Personal Protective Equipment is a must requirement for Safety
Purposes.

For example handling of chemicals, toxic liquids, acid and gases etc. That is the
reason I decided to choose the project – A Study on Personal Protective Equipment.

In this project I have tried to cover the vast uses of PPE in various industries (for
example: - refineries and chemical industries) for maintenance work, expansion
projects, welding, work in confined spaces, tasks carried out during excavation and in
Engineering and Civil Construction.

I tried my best level to give maximum exposure to all the personal protective
equipment used in the workplace. I have briefly gone through most of the major
topics.
INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY

Safety of workers in any industry is a paramount importance in accomplishing the objective

of uninterrupted operations and maximizing profitability.

Safety becomes all the more relevant to Petroleum Industry, where the risks get
compounded manifold because of highly hazardous nature of raw materials and products
coupled with severe operating conditions of high temperature and pressure.

Safety practices need to be followed in each and every activity associated with plant
operation. In order to create greater safety awareness and improve safety attitude, a thorough
knowledge of safety in Refinery operations is needed.

The public and Governmental concern should be aroused for evolving appropriate strategy
for identifying and controlling industrial hazards.

Petroleum Refinery is prone to safety hazards and environment degradation unless utmost
precaution is taken in every operation. This had made refiners to think about developing
Emergency Plans with objectives – Minimize the safety risks, Improve Emergency
Response to accidents and expedite rehabilitation.
TYPES OF PPE -
1. Head and Face Protection (hard hats, safety glasses, face shields)

2. Hearing Protection (earplugs, earmuffs)

3. Respiratory Protection (masks, respirators)

4. Hand Protection (gloves)

5. Body Protection (vests, jackets)

6. Foot Protection (steel-toed boots)

7. Fall Protection (harnesses, lanyards)

PPE SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS -

1. Hazard assessment

2. Industry standards (e.g., OSHA, ANSI)

3. User comfort and ergonomics

4. Durability and maintenance

5. Cost-effectiveness

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN -
1. Conduct hazard assessments.

2. Develop PPE policies and procedures.

3. Provide training and education.

4. Monitor and enforce compliance.

5. Review and update procedures regularly.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS) -

1. Injury and illness reduction

2. Compliance rates

3. Employee satisfaction and comfort

4. Maintenance and replacement costs

5. Training effectiveness

REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS -

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

2. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

3. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

4. International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)

PROJECT TEAM -
1. Professors of MDC ON SHE

2. Safety specialists

3. Team Members

4. Training

BUDGET -

1. PPE procurement

2. Training and education

3. Consulting services

4. Policy development

5. Monitoring and enforcement

RESOURCES -

1. OSHA guidelines

2. ANSI standards

3. NIOSH publications

4. ISEA resources

5. Industry-specific associations
1. INTRODUCTION

 1.1 What is Personal Protective Equipment?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to equipment like helmet, goggles etc. which is
worn by a contractors, workers, students or visitors to protect himself from injury and
minimize the risk of the person‟s safety. This does not include ordinary working clothes such
as uniforms which do not have a specific health or safety function, nor does it apply to
equipment used whilst playing competitive sport. However, equipment required for the
safety of a sports instructor does fall within the category of PPE, for example, a life jacket for
a canoeing instructor.

Personal protective equipment includes face masks, ear plugs, boots, respirators, shields,
gloves etc. PPE is the last resort as it ranks last on the list of controls, as the workers are daily
exposed to the workplace hazards. Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
1984 also sets out the obligation of an employer 'where it is not practicable to avoid the
presence of hazards at the workplace, [to] provide the employees with, or otherwise provide
for the employees to have, such adequate personal protective clothing and equipment as is
practicable to protect them against those hazards, without any cost to the employees'.

Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying
sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad of other potentially dangerous situations. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect
their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury.

In the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administration and

PPE), personal protective equipment is considered the least satisfactory method in the
prevention of work-related injury or illness and is only to be used when other measures are
not feasible or cannot be implemented immediately. PPE should be used, however, to
supplement or augment other means of hazard control, to further minimize the risk of
injury.

Personal protective equipment should not be used as a substitute for work practice or
administrative controls to prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals. PPE protects only the
worker wearing it, it does not remove the hazard from the work area.

Most of the injuries can be eliminated or minimized by utilizing proper equipment required
for the jobs.

 1.2 What is the Purpose of Using Personal Protective Equipment?

Personal protective equipment is used to minimize employer‟s exposure to risks when

certain controls are not effective enough to reduce these hazards to a specific level. It
protects the person wearing it from chemicals, excessive heat, electrical hazards and many
other workplace hazards. These injuries and illness may result from contact with
mechanical, chemical, physical workplace hazards. To ensure the greatest possible
protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and
employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful work environment.

In general, employers are 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.

 1.3 How to Ensure Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment?

The employers should choose PPE providing maximum protection. It should of safe design
and construction. Also it is necessary that it fits the persons in a workplace and is
comfortable. The reverse can difference it from protectively covered or dangerously exposed.

Training of people wearing Personal protective equipment should be conducted so that the
worker knows what or when it is necessary, how to wear it or take it off, what are the
limitations of the equipment. Also monitoring of the Personal protective equipment
program is necessary to make sure its effectiveness.
  1.4 Choosing the Right Personal Protective Equipment

All PPE clothing and equipment should be of safe design and construction, and should be
maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. Employers should take the fit and comfort of
PPE into consideration when selecting appropriate items for their workplace. PPE that fits
well and is comfortable to wear will encourage employee use of PPE.

Most protective devices are available in multiple sizes and care should be taken to select the
proper size for each employee. If several different types of PPE are worn together, make sure
they are compatible.

If PPE does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or
dangerously exposed. It may not provide the level of protection desired and may discourage
employee use. It includes consultation with the employers and the representatives.

It should also include:

 Consultation with the supplier of PPE to ensure it is suitable for the specific work
 Preference of personal protective equipment that complies with the relevant
standard.
 Compatibility of PPE when more than 1 item is used (take the example of ear plugs
and hard hat)
 Detailed evaluation of performance requirements for the PPE
  1.5 Management of PPE
Management of PPE must ensure that:-

 The needs for PPE are assessed by a person who is competent to judge whether other
methods of risk control can offer better protection of safety and health than the
provision of PPE
 Professional advice is obtained, where necessary, to identify the most suitable types of
PPE for the tasks to be carried out
 Training is provided to supervisors and employees to enable them to ensure the
proper selection, fit, use, cleaning and maintenance of PPE
 Supervision and enforcement of the PPE policy is undertaken
 Evaluation of the effectiveness of the PPE program is carried out on a regular basis
 Suitable PPE is provided for visitors who may be exposed to hazards in the
workplace. At UWA this includes students where appropriate. Equipment shall be
properly cleaned before re-issue
 All equipment complies with current relevant Australian Standards and should be
stamped or labeled with an AS compliance marking. Existing PPE shall be re-
assessed regularly to ensure compliance.

 1.6 Role of Worker When Using PPE

There are certain things workers need to ensure about the personal protective equipment.
People using the Personal Protective Equipment should see if the following are followed:

 PPE is use accordingly to manufacturer‟s instructions

 To check if the PPE is comfortable
 No interference of medical conditions of the worker while using the PPE
 Training to use the PPE should be conducted
 PPE is properly used and is effective
The workers must ensure that PPE is hygienic and in well and good working state.

Employers are required to train each employee who must use PPE. 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.

Employers should 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.

This should include:

 conducting a pre-use check;
 How to use the PPE?
 How the PPE works, performance and limitations?
 How to fit the PPE properly?
 What to do if the PPE fails whilst in use?
 Where the maintenance record is?
2. CATEGORIZATION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
(PPE)

So, personal protective equipment can be categorized by the types of hazard, type of device
and area of the body part protected. Also there are certain PPE items which serve as
multiple forms of protection.

For example boots, a steel toe cap and steel insoles for protection of the feet from crushing or
puncture injuries, impervious rubber and lining for protection from water and chemicals,
high reflectively and heat resistance for protection from radiant heat and high electrical
resistivity for protection against electric shocks.

Personal protective equipment is of two types:

 Respiratory Protective Equipment

 Non-respiratory protective equipment

 Respiratory protective equipment are given more importance because even a small
failure or violation in the use of respiratory protective equipment will affect the entire
body system and will lead to unconsciousness or severe injuries.
  On the other hand non-respiratory protection equipment can be further classified
according to the part of the body to be protected.

Non-respiratory Protective Equipment:

 Head Protection
 Eye Protection
 Hand and Foot Protection
 Body Protection
 Skin Protection

Respiratory protective equipment:

 Compressed air line breathing apparatus

 Self-contained breathing apparatus
 Open circuit oxygen types
 Regenerative oxygen types
 Short distance fresh air breathing apparatu

2.1 Non Respiratory Protective Equipment

2.1.1 Head Protection

Safety helmets are rigid headgear of different materials designed to protect the workman‟s
head – not only from impact but from flying particles and electric shock or any combination
of the three.
Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key element of any safety program. A
head injury can impair a worker for life or it can be a very severe damage.
Wearing a safety helmet (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.

Employers 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
 There is a possibility of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.

Some examples of occupations in which employees should be required to wear head

protection include construction workers, carpenters, electricians, linemen, plumbers and
pipefitters, timber and log cutters.

There are 3 types of head hazards:

Impact

 Falling or flying objects

 falling or walking into hard objects
 injuries include neck sprains, concussions, and skull fractures

Electric Shock

 Live exposed electric wires

 Injuries include electrical shocks and burns

Drips

 Toxic liquids such as acids, caustics, and molten metals can irritate and burn the
head/scalp.

Safety Hats or Hard hats

Industrial safety helmets injected from HDP/ABS fitted with a snap on polyethylene
harness and a head band. Head bands are available in two sizes to suit head sizes from
540mm to 590mm and 580mm and 640mm. These helmets are made to Bureau of Indian
Specifications made to IS2925 standards.

Helmets are made out of materials such as fibre-glass reinforced plastic; HDPE, aluminium
alloy etc. for protection against falling bodies, the FRP or HDPE helmets are preferable
because of their superior impact resistance.

These are also suitable against chemical spills. Helmets are designed to withstand an impact
load of 4 pounds.

In general protective helmets should do the following:

 Resist penetration by objects

 Absorb the shock of a blow
 Be water resistant and slow burning
 Have clear instruction explaining proper adjustment and replacement of the
suspension and headband.

Types of hard hats

There are many hard hats available in the marketplace today. In addition to selecting
protective headgear that meets ANSI standard requirements, employers should ensure that
employees wear hard hats that provide appropriate protection against potential workplace
hazards.
All hard hats can be divided into two types - Type I and Type II. Type I hard hats are only
designed to protect workers from objects and blows that come from above and strike the top
of a helmet.

Type II hard hats are designed to offer protection from lateral blows and objects. This
includes from the front, back, and side as well as from the top. Type II hard hats are also
tested for off-center penetration resistance and chin strap retention.

Classes
Hard hats are also divided into classes that indicate how well they protect against electrical
shock.
• Class E (Electrical) hard hats can withstand up to 20,000 volts of electricity
• Class G (General) hard hats are able to withstand 2,200 volts of electricity
• Class C (Conductive) hard hats offer no protection from electric shock

Material & Suspensions

Most hard hats are made of non-conductive, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and come
equipped with a suspension that can be adjusted for a custom fit. Suspensions are available
with 4, 6, or 8 load-bearing points and can be fitted using several different types of
adjustments.

Styles
When considering tasks and situations, hard hats are available in different styles. Cap hard
hats have a short front brim that helps to shade the face from the sun and keeps rain away
from the eyes. Full brim styles feature a brim that goes around the entire cap and shades the
face, back of the neck, and ears. The full brim can also help to channel rain and snow away
from the face and head.

Maintenance

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.

ANSI and CSA require end users to conduct a thorough inspection of their hard hats and
suspension before each use. Visually inspect the hat for evidence of cracking and gouging
and replace the hat immediately if any such instance is found.

If the hat suffers from any type of impact or impalement or has experienced a fall greater
than 8 feet, replace it immediately even if there is no visible damage.

Finally, inspect the suspension. Check to

ensure that fabric is not frayed or torn and
plastic parts are not cracked or damaged. If
the suspension exhibits signs of wear,
replace it immediately. A cap's
suspension must be replaced with one from
the same manufacturer to ensure it
meets protection criteria, because shells and
suspensions are tested to perform as a complete system.

While ANSI and CSA do not regulate the service life of protective caps, industries
recommends replacing a hard hat shell every five years and suspension every 12 months
from its first day of service. Noting a cap's first day of service on its label is an easy way to
track its service life.

Size and Care

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.

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).

Clean your hard hat at least once a month by soaking it in a solution of mild soap
and hot water for 5-10 minutes
Because sunlight and heat can damage the suspension of your hat, always store
your hat in a clean, dry, and cool location

Hard hats with any of the following should be removed immediately from service:

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 the loss of surface gloss, such signs include chalking or
flaking).

Re-Issue of safety helmets

No safety helmet should be re-issued unless the helmet has been thoroughly cleaned and
inspected. In general, when a helmet is being re-issued to a different person at least a new
sweatband should be fitted.

Working life

Excessive discoloration of the shell color or weathering of the surface may indicate a loss of
strength. Helmets which have been in service for longer than three years should be
thoroughly inspected and replaced as necessary.
2.1.2 Eye and Face Protection

Each day, about 2000 US workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical
attention. Eye injuries can happen through a variety of means. Most eye injuries occur when
solid particles such as metal slivers, wood chips, sand or cement chips get into the eye.

Smaller particles in smokes and larger particles, such as broken glass also account for
particulate matter causing eye injuries.

Blunt force trauma can occur to the eye when excessive force comes into contact with the
eye. Chemical burns, biological agents, and thermal agents, from sources such as welding
torches and UV light also contribute to occupational eye injury.

Goggles provide better protection than safety glasses, and are effective in preventing eye
injury from chemical splashes, impact, dusty environments and welding.

It is recommended that goggles with high air flow be used, in order to prevent fogging.
Face shields are a useful form of additional protection to be worn over the standard eyewear,
and provide protection from impact, chemical, and blood-borne hazards. Full-facepiece
respirators are considered the best form of eye protection when respiratory protection is
needed as well, but may be less effective against potential impact hazards to the eye. Eye
protection used for welding operations is shaded to different degrees, depending on the
specific operation.

Employees can be exposed to a large number of hazards that pose danger to their eyes and
face.
OSHA requires employers to 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. Employers must be sure that their employees 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.
Operation Hazards Recommended Protector

Burning, cutting, gas welding Sparks, harmful Welding goggles (eye-cup type or
rays, molten plate type tinted lenses)
metal flying
particles

Splash, acid Clear goggles and/or shield

Chemical handling
burns, fumes

Clipping Flying particles Clear goggles (chipper)

Electric(arc) welding Spark, intense Welding hood (with tinted

rays, molten lenses)
metal

Furnace Operations Glare, heat Cobalt glasses, or welding goggles

(tinted lenses)

Grinding Flying particles Clear goggles or face shield

(chipper goggles)

Laboratory Chemical splash, Clear goggles or face shield.

glass breakage

Machining Flying particles Clear chipper goggles or face

shield.
Selection
The following should be considered while selection :-
 Nature of risk to eyes. For example, radiation, impact, dust / abrasive particles, liquid
/ chemical splash or spray
 conditions under which the person is working
 visual requirements of the task
 Personal preference/comfort of wearer. This may include appearance, weight,
ventilation and unrestricted vision.
 Condition of person‟s eyesight.
 The following general eye protectors are available.
 Goggles - An eye protector fitting the contour of the face and held in position by an
adjustable headband.
 wide-vision goggles - An eye protector in which the lens or lenses extend over the full
width of the face affording a large field of vision
 welding helmet - A rigid eye protector which is worn by the operator to shield the
eyes, face, forehead and front of the neck
 welding hand shield - A rigid eye protector which is held in the hand to shield the
eyes, face, forehead and front of the neck
 face shield - A device which includes a transparent visor, supported in front of the
face to shield the eyes
 safety spectacles - An eye protector with protective lenses mounted in spectacle-type
frames, or integrally moulded into the frames with or without side shields, and held
in position by the side arms
 Tinted safety spectacles/goggles - provided to employees who require eye protection
and who are generally required to work outdoors.

Prescription Lenses -
Everyday use of prescription corrective lenses will not provide adequate protection against
most occupational eye and face hazards, so employers must make sure that employees with
corrective lenses either wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription into the design
or wear additional eye protection over their prescription lenses.

Eye Protection for Exposed Workers -

OSHA suggests that eye protection be routinely considered for use by carpenters,
electricians, machinists, mechanics, millwrights, plumbers and pipefitters, sheet metal
workers and tinsmiths, assemblers, sanders, grinding machine operators, sawyers, welders,
laborers, chemical process operators and handlers, and timber cutting and logging workers.
Employers of workers in other job categories should decide whether there is a need for eye
and face PPE through a hazard assessment.
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).

Types of Eye Protection -

Selecting the most suitable eye and face protection for employees should take into
consideration the following elements:

 Ability to protect against specific workplace hazards.

 Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.
 Should provide unrestricted vision and movement.
 Should be durable and cleanable.
 Should allow unrestricted functioning of any other required PPE.
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 Z87.1-1989
or be at least as effective as this standard requires.

Any equipment purchased before this requirement took effect on July 5, 1994, must comply
with the earlier ANSI Standard (ANSI Z87.1-1968) or be shown to be equally effective.
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. Constructed 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.
OSHA 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. The type of laser safety goggles an employer chooses will
depend upon the equipment and operating conditions in the workplace.
 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.

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 in general industry and in the shipbuilding industry.

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.
Potential Hazards -
Eye and face injuries may result from:-

 Contact with flying particles, molten metal, chemicals, welding arc, lasers or radiant
energy (such as bright light, UV, infrared).
 Not wearing safety glasses when welding shields are raised to inspect welds or use
chipping hammer or needle gun.

Additionally, obscured vision due to dirty or scratched lenses may cause workers injuries
(such as trips, falls, struck-by, collisions).

Requirements and Example Solutions:-

 Face shields or welding helmets (for example hoods) should be worn only over
primary eye protection such as safety glasses or goggles.
 Protective equipment can be clear or shaded, depending upon the type and amount
of shielding needed to protect workers' eyes.
 Safety glasses should include optical correction for workers who need corrective
lenses, otherwise, cover lens or goggles must be provided.
 Glasses or goggles must provide protection from hazards such as particles, objects,
radiation, or liquids entering the eye from the sides as well as the front. Side shields
(for example wrap-around, clip-on, slide-on) must be used
 Metal-frame protective eyewear should not be used when electrical hazards may be
present.
 Ensure that eye protection is cleaned frequently and replaced when necessary.

Make sure the eye protection chosen has the right combination of
impact/dust/splash/molten metal eye protection for the task and fits the user properly.

Ultraviolet and infra-rays radiation -

Processes requiring moderate reduction of visible radiation and protection from ultraviolet
and infrared radiation.
For gas welding and cutting, and resistance welding and brazing, suitable eye protection
must be provided to guard against possible invisible radiation. Sufficient protection will
usually be given by goggles fitted with filters of shade number 3 to 7 inclusive.

In processes producing ultraviolet light but where infrared radiation is not a hazard, for
example, photographic reproduction work or use of transilluminators, eye protectors with
ultraviolet filters should be used.

For arc welding and cutting operations, protection must be provided against invisible
radiation. Adequate face and eye protection in these cases can be obtained by the use of a
helmet or hand shield fitted with filters having shade numbers 8 to 15 inclusive, as
appropriate.

Issue and fitting of eye protection -

Eye protectors may be issued for:

 exclusive use by one employee/student

 temporary use by an employee/student for a particular operation
 temporary use by a visitor.
The choice between issue for exclusive use by one employee and temporary issue to different
employees or students will depend on the frequency and duration of exposure to hazards
and the type of eye protector provided.

Replacement -

Eye protectors and lenses should be replaced when usage, accidental damage or age has
resulted in deterioration of the properties of the eye protectors to a stage where continued
use could be hazardous, or where the eye protectors no longer comply with the relevant
standard. In particular, lenses which have been scratched, abraded, pitted or otherwise
damaged should be replaced because the protection they offer may be reduced and vision
impaired.

The appropriate safety footwear should be selected in each instance, e.g. anti-slip footwear if
the worker is on slippery floors, steel toe-capped boots if there is likelihood of crush or
impact injuries.
In areas such as the laboratory/kitchens/grounds where any crush or chemical injury may
be sustained, sandals, open toed shoes or bare feet ARE NOT acceptable.

2.1.3 Foot and Leg Protection -

Employees who face possible foot or leg injuries from falling or rolling objects, from
crushing/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 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
 Working when electrical hazards are present.

Selection -
Footwear should provide adequate protection from injury and comfortable support for the
feet.
Occupational protective footwear is classified by the type of duties performed. The
parameters include: grade of protective toecap, thickness and type of upper materials, and
thickness and type of sole. Special features such as chemical resistant soles, penetration
resistant mid soles and electrical conductive/antistatic properties are also available.

All risks associated with the job should be assessed to determine the specific requirements of
the footwear.
Workshop, maintenance and people working in mechanical laboratories or on geological,
agricultural or engineering field trips should wear suitable boots with steel caps.

All people working in laboratories should wear enclosed footwear.

People working in chemical laboratories should wear enclosed footwear that is resistant to
spills of hazardous substances.
People standing or walking for long periods should wear supportive, enclosed footwear.

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.

Shoes should have:

 A firm heel counter and deep heel seat that holds the heel well and doesn‟t slip when
walking
 Sufficient depth and width at the toes to prevent pressure on toes and nails
 A sole that does not bend at the ball of the foot. The shoe should not bend in the
middle of the shoe under the arch.
 Firm, well-padded synthetic or rubber sole with non-slip tread
 Soft upper with minimal stitching
 A heel less than 2.5 cm high
 Little distortion on attempting to twist the shoe
 A shape that matches your feet.
 Socks manufactured from natural fibres, preferably free of seams should be worn
with footwear at all times. Other items such as gaiters or overshoes may be required
for use with footwear.
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 nonconductive to
protect workers from workplace electrical hazards.

Special Purpose Shoes -

Electrically conductive shoes provide protection against the buildup of static electricity.

Employees working in explosive and hazardous locations such as explosives manufacturing

facilities 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, 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.
Electrical hazard, safety-toe shoes are nonconductive 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: Nonconductive footwear must
not be used in explosive or hazardous locations.

Foundry Shoes -

In addition to insulating the feet from the extreme heat of molten metal, foundry shoes keep
hot metal from lodging in shoe eyelets, tongues or other shoe parts. These snug-fitting
leather or leather-substitute shoes have leather or rubber soles and rubber heels. All foundry
shoes must have built-in safety toes.
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

2.1.4 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, employers
must ensure that employees wear appropriate protection.
There is a vast range of hand protection. To make sure that the correct type is used for a
specific task, refer to suppliers' catalogues and if in doubt seek advice from the manufacturer
or supplier.
A range of sizes should be available to accommodate individual requirements. Potential
hazards include skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical or thermal burns, electrical
dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts, punctures, fractures and amputations.
Employers should explore all possible engineering and work practice controls to eliminate
hazards and use PPE to provide additional protection against hazards that cannot be
completely eliminated through other means.
For example, machine guards may eliminate a hazard. Installing a barrier to prevent
workers from placing their hands at the point of contact between a table saw blade and the
item being cut is another method.
Types of Protective 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.

 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

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.

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 unnapped 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
containers..

 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 nitrocompounds.

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.

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.

The following table from the U.S. Department of Energy (Occupational Safety and Health
Technical Reference Manual) rates various gloves as being protective against specific
chemicals and will help you select the most appropriate gloves to protect your employees.

Table 4
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

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

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.

Care of Protective Gloves

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.

2.1.5 Hearing Protection -

Noise is measured in units called deciBels (dB). It should be noted that dB(A) is a
logarithmic scale thus a change of approximately 3 dB(A) is the equal to a doubling of noise
levels.
Exposure to noise during various processes can result in temporary or permanent deafness if
the appropriate precautions are not taken. Hearing is at risk during the following:
• Constant noise above 80db for an 8 hour work period;
• Impact noise; and
• Explosive noise.

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.
Noises are considered continuous if the interval between occurrences of the maximum noise
level is one second or less.

Duration per day,

Sound level in dB*
in hours
8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
11/2
102
5
1 105
1/2 110
1/4 or less 11

Exposure, for detailed information on methods to estimate the attenuation effectiveness of

hearing protectors based on the device's noise reduction rating (NRR). 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 employer is required to institute a hearing conservation program that includes
regular testing of employees' hearing 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.

Selection -

Following must be kept in mind while selecting:

 requirement for the device to attenuate noise to a level not greater than 85 dB(A)
 weight
 clamping force of earmuffs, and ear canal caps
 suitability for use with other personal protection equipment such as helmets or goggles
 Acceptability to the wearer.

Types : -

The following types of hearing equipment are commonly available.

 disposable hearing protection device - a hearing protection device formed by packing

a suitable material into or around the ear canal. Disposable hearing protection devices
are discarded after a single wearing

 earplug - a hearing protection device, other than disposable hearing protection

devices, that is inserted into the ear canal

 ear canal cap - a hearing protection device that covers the ear canal entrance and is
held in place by a headband

 earmuff - a hearing protection device that covers the entire ear and is held in place by
a suspension system

 helmet - a hearing protection device that covers the ears and an appreciable part of
the head

 suspension system - a device that holds the hearing protection device in proper
position on the wearer's head. A suspension system may be a headband, a neckband
or a safety helmet.

2.1.6 Body And Skin 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 metals and other hot liquids
 Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials
 Hazardous chemicals

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 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.

Employees who are required to work outdoors and are exposed to the sun's rays should:

 attempt to schedule work in full sun to take place outside the hours of 10am to 3pm
 use shade wherever possible
 wear dark, loose and closely woven clothing (long sleeved, button up, collared shirt)
 wear a 10 cm wide brimmed hat or hat with a neck flap
 wear gloves
 put on broad spectrum water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen at least 10-15 minutes before
going out in the sun. Re-apply every two hours while outdoors
 drink plenty of water
 wear close fitting EPF10 rated sunglasses that meet AS 1067
 Check your skin regularly for changes.

Insect Repellants -

Employees who are required to work outdoors in areas where insect borne disease may be
contracted (such as Ross River Virus) shall be provided with an adequate supply of insect
repellent. Selection of insect repellents must take account of:

o form of the product suitable for environmental conditions

o user acceptance of product (odour, consistency, colour)

o existence of product literature on health effects (for example, allergic reactions,

dermatitis, long term effects)

o suitability and durability of packaging

o adequacy and permanence of labeling.

Use of Protective Creams

Barrier creams may also be used as a form of body protection.

These include

 Sunscreens to protect parts of your body from UV radiation that are not easily
protected by clothes and thus protect against subsequent skin cancer when working
 outdoors or on field trips
 Hand creams to be used when wearing gloves for long periods of time which reduce
 the chances of developing contact dermatitis
 Where workers have to frequently wash their hands.
2.2 RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Oxygen Deficiency - Every living organism needs constant supply of oxygen. Cells in the

brain and the nervous system, if starved of oxygen for more than 4 to 6 minutes can be

severely damaged and even die due to permanent damage.

Oxygen deficient atmosphere is a major hazard in the industry. Table-1 gives the signs and
symptoms of a person at rest at different levels of oxygen deficiency.

TABLE-1

Oxygen content in air Sign and symptoms of person at rest

Respiration deeper, pulse up, co-ordination

12% - 14% poor.

Respiration fast & shallow, giddiness, poor

10% - 12% judgement, lips blue.

Nausea, vomiting, unconscious-ness, ashen

8% - 10% face.

8 min – 100% fatal, 6 min – 50% fatal, 4-5

6% - 8% min – Recovery with treatment.

Coma in 40 secs, convulsion, respiration

4% ceases, death
TABLE-II

Type Designed Use

1. Fresh air breathing apparatus To be used in tanks,

pits or areas where gas
tests show harmful
2. Oxygen breathing apparatus
amount of gas, dust,
mist, vapour, lack of

3. Compressed air breathing oxygen.

apparatus

4. Demand flow type compressed air

line

Breathing apparatus

5. Filter of chemical cartridge

respirators

Protection against low

i. Canister type gas masks concentration of gases,
dust, fumes or mist.
ii. Dust Respirators

Each type of equipment has a definite purpose but its limitations must be kept in mind.
These will not provide protection in an atmosphere contaminated by a substance which can
be absorbed by skin.
FRESH AIR BREATHING APPARATUS -

Necessity - It must be used in all cases when it is necessary to enter an enclosed area where :

 Hydrogen sulphide, Carbon Monoxide or any other combustible/toxic gas is present

even in slight concentration.
 Canister cannot be used because the concentration exceeds the limit for canister.
 There is a heavy smoke.
 There is an oxygen deficiency.

Types -

i. Antipoy industrial breathing apparatus.

ii. Blowman blower operated breathing apparatus.

Operation -

 The face piece should be adjusted and tested.

 See that the hose and the lifeline are not entangled.
 The blower must be placed where there is plenty of fresh uncontaminated air.
 Where a hand driven blower is used, the crank must be turned continuously from
the time the man puts on the face piece until he returns to pure air and removes the
face piece completely.
 Two persons must be deputed to perform the cranking operation alternatively and
as stand by.
 Do not use more than 76 feet of hose on each blower connection.
 Do not place the blower where the air may be contaminated, such as in the vicinity
of sewer manholes or catch basins.
 Use only those men who are experienced in this type of work.
 Always have a man present to assist in any emergency which may arise.
 A separate lifeline must be attached.
OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS -

Introduction:

It is designed primarily for emergency conditions. It may be used when a gas hazard or lack
of oxygen exists or may exist except in atmosphere which irritates or poisons through the
skin.

Pure oxygen from a high pressure bottle is supplied to the face piece. The full face piece
gives excellent vision.

Description and Technical Details :

This apparatus which is supported upon a broad body belt composed of leather and
reinforced canvas, and by braces passing over the shoulders, consists of the following parts:

 Oxygen cylinder

It is a steel cylinder with six cubic feet of oxygen gas which is compressed to 120
atmospheres (1,800 pounds per square inch) and will last for one hour when fully charged.

 Main supply valve

 Safety locking bolt
 Pressure gauge valve
 Reducing valve
 Breathing bag
 Relief valve
 By-pass valve
 Cooler
 Mouth piece and nose-clip
 Skull cap
 Goggles

Operational Use -

 Consult the gauge frequently.

 Gently shake the protosorb at regular intervals
 Open by-pass valve when the bag collapses
  Use relief valve when the bag is too much inflated or heated.
 Pressure gauge valve to be always kept open.
 Come out of the place of incident with at least five minutes of oxygen left in the
cylinder.

Care and Maintenance -

 Grease, oil, fat, paint etc. should not come in contact with the set.
 Undue force should not be used to tighten any joint. Washer should be replaced, if
necessary.
 Use distilled water to lubricate all washers.
 The set should preferably be kept in a hanging position to avoid knocking of the
valve group.
 The set should not be kept near the exhaust pipe of the motor or fire appliances.
 Mouth piece plug should be kept filled when the set is not in use.
 Skull-cap, goggles, spanners and B.A. lamp should always be provided with a set to
keep the set in commission.
 CO2 absorbent to be kept always air tight, once the CO2 absorbent is used even for a
few minutes, it should be discarded and not to be kept for future use.
 The reducing valve must not be opened by any unauthorized person.

COMPRESSED AIR BREATHING APPARATUS -

Description

It is similar to Roberts‟ compressed air set with a little variations. The face mask is of
molded rubber and incorporates a demand regulator, a speech transmitter and a wide vision
perspex visor. A bonded air-cushion seal round the inside edge of the mask forms a leak-
proof seal on the face with only light tension on the adjusting straps.

Care and Maintenance of compressed air sets -

The following points should be observed during routine maintenance :

  The apparatus should be cleaned after use.
 The face mask and breathing tube, where provided, should be washed and
disinfected. The whole apparatus should be thoroughly dried before assembling.
 The eye-pieces or visor should be anti-dimmed.
 If the cylinder pressure is less than five sixths of the maximum charging pressure, it
should be replaced with a fresh cylinder.
 Washers and other parts found defective during tests should be renewed.
 When tightening nuts, excessive force should not be used.
 Oils or grease should not be allowed to come into contact with any part of the
apparatus.

Working duration of breathing apparatus -

It is not always possible to determine actual duration of a breathing apparatus as there are
certain variable factors depending on the circumstances in which the set is used.

In the case of a closed circuit oxygen set the duration is fairly determined, though it can be
reduced by the use of by-pass valve, whereas in case of compressed air open circuit set it
varies widely depending on the physical exertion of the wearer.

i. Full duration -

It is the time a breathing apparatus is expected to last from the moment it is started-up until
the cylinder is exhausted.

ii. Working duration -

It is time a breathing apparatus is expected to last from the time it is started up until the
cylinder pressure is reached at which the low cylinder pressure warning device, i.e. the
whistle, starts to operate.

iii. Safety margin -

It is the time from the moment the whistle starts to sound until the cylinder is exhausted.

In short,

Working duration = Full duration - Safety margin.

The duration of a breathing apparatus depends on the quantity of oxygen or air in the
cylinder and the average rate of consumption. The contents of a cylinder are referred in
liters and consumption in liters per minute. For example, if the cylinder of an oxygen
breathing apparatus set contains 150 liters and the constant flow is 2.5 liters per minutes.

The full duration would be

150 / 2.5 = 150x2/5 = 60 minutes.

Formula for determining the working duration of breathing apparatus

i. Oxygen Apparatus

Contents of cylinder in ltrs

Working duration in minutes = ---------------------- - 15

(or 2 for salves)

ii. Compressed air apparatus

Contents of cylinder in ltrs

Working duration in minutes = ------------------------ - 10

Average rate of consumption -

For oxygen sets with a constant flow, the average rate of consumption is taken as 2.5 litres
per minutes for Proto and 2 liters for Salvas sets. In the case of oxygen apparatus with a
smaller constant flow augmented by a lung-governed valve, 2 litres per minute is also taken
as the average rate of consumption.

Safety Margin -

The safety margin recommended for all types of breathing apparatus sets is 10 minutes. In
the case of one hour Proto set the whistle operates when the cylinder is at one quarter
pressure i.e. when the cylinder is one quarter full, so that theoretically the set still has 15
minutes to run.
Introduction

It is a constant flow airline respirator which provides complete respiratory, eye and facial
protection and is designed for use with a factory compressed air line or a low pressure air
compressor.

Description

The respirator assembly consists of a vista full face mask fitted with a mushroom type non
return exhalation valve assembly and a „T‟ piece linked to two narrow bore PVC breathing
tubes. The tubes are designed to pass over the wearer‟s shoulders and to join at a „Y‟ union
on the wearer‟s back. This union is connected by a single PVC tube to a combined filter
box and hand operated regulating valve mounted on a PVC waist belt. The filter box is
fitted with a nut and serrated tail connection for attaching the air supply line.

The regulating valve on the filter box allows the wearer to control the flow of air into the
mask but bleed holes in the valve prevent the wearer shutting off the air supply completely
and provide a built-in safety device. The respirator is recommended for use with inlet
pressures up to 120 psi.

Applications -

It is used for extended work in a toxic or oxygen deficient atmosphere either in a factory
from the works‟ airline or in an outside location from a low pressure air compressor.
Applications include tank cleaning, zinc spraying and paint spraying or as a maintenance
breathing apparatus.
 BA SET ENTRY PROCEDURE :

1. A Breathing Apparatus field center shall be set up outside the area where entry has to be
made.
2. A Fire & Safety Officer shall manage the Breathing Apparatus field center.
3. Breathing Apparatus field center shall have sufficient number of ready BA sets,as per nature
of job
4. A BA Control Board for recording the details of the BA set wearer entering into area shall
be positioned.
5. Before making entry into a hazardous area with Breathing Apparatus set, pre-entry test shall
be done .

Breathing apparatus pre-entry test :

 Check the general condition of BA set.

 Check the available pressure in BA set as per nature of job.
 Check the leak test & positive pressure test.
 Check the function of warning whistle.
 BA wearers shall always go in pairs while making entry into a building with guide
line.
 BA Control Room officer shall note the expected time of return of BA wearers and
immediately send two more persons with BA sets to search for the BA wearers if they
do not return back on time.

Dust Respirator
Where to use -
Respirators may be used for all operations where annoying or irritating gases or dust may be
present in such small quantities that the canister gas mask is not needed.
How to use -
The face piece should be adjusted so as to fit snugly on the face. The head straps should be
adjusted to maintain tension without discomfort.
Limitation and Caution -
i. It must not be used in closed vessels where there is oxygen deficiency.
ii. Do not wear a respirator which has been worn by someone else until it has been sterilized.
iii. Keep the respirator dry.
Air purifying devices

These devices cannot be used in oxygen depleted atmospheres.

Air purifying devices fall into four major categories.

Dust masks – used for protection against nuisance dusts such as sawdust, chalk, plant-
related and sanding dusts. These are generally not suitable for toxic substances

Gas filters - filter fitted into a half face mask, full face mask or hood, suitable for removing
low concentrates of certain gases and vapours.

Particulate filters - used to remove finely divided solid or liquid particles from inhaled air.
Particulate filters have a prefix 'P' and a number indicating a class corresponding to
filtration efficiency against a laboratory challenge aerosol of sodium chloride. P1, P2 and P3
filters roughly correspond to the former L, M and H cartridges.

CLASS (P1) Intended for use against mechanically generated particulates, (for example,
silica, asbestos).

CLASS (P2) Intended for use against both mechanically and thermally generated
particulates, (for example, metal fumes).

CLASS (P3) Intended for use against all particulates including highly toxic materials, (for
example, beryllium). Class P3 requires a full face mask.
 3. CONCLUSION
To have effective personal protective equipment program, one person (manager, supervisor,
safety) must be responsible for its coordination. First-line supervisors must be convinced of
the hazards and must be held accountable for their employees‟ use of PPE. It is necessary
for new employees to receive training during orientation. Employees should be motivated to
continue to use protective gear through an on-going
safety program.

A work area assessment is required to determine the potential hazards and select the
appropriate PPE for adequate protection. Employees must receive training which includes
the proper PPE for their job, when this PPE must be worn, how to wear, adjust, maintain,
and discard this equipment, and the limitations of the PPE. All training must be
documented.

Personal protective equipment can be effective only if the equipment is selected based on its
intended use, employees are trained in its use, and the equipment is properly tested,
maintained, and worn.
REFERENCE

 Safety Manuals of Refineries

 Safety Bulletins and training materials of various safety trainings
 Universal Oil Products (UOP-USA)
 Study materials of MULTI DISCIPLINARY CENTRE ON SAFETY
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL, CHANDKA Industrial Estate,
Bhubaneswar.