The University of Pennsylvania is committed to providing and promoting a safe and healthy learning, teaching and research environment. Penn establishes this Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Plan to protect staff from potential health and safety hazards associated with the handling and use of hazardous chemicals, heavy machinery and workplace chemicals.

back to top



II. SCOPE

This Personal Protective Equipment Plan applies to all staff working outside the laboratory setting. This program addresses eye, face, head, foot and hand protection.

For PPE guidelines for working with biohazards, infectious or potentially infectious materials, see the University of Pennsylvania Biological Safety Manual.

For PPE guidelines for working with in the laboratory see the University of Pennsylvania Chemical Hygiene Plan.

See the University of Pennsylvania Radiation Safety User's Guide for PPE guidelines as well as safe work practices involving radioactive materials.

For proper donning, doffing, use, maintenance, cleaning and care of respirators, see the University of Pennsylvania Respirator Program.

For Laser Safety recommendations and requirements consult the University of Pennsylvania Laser Safety Manual.

For PPE guidelines regarding hearing conservation see Penn's Hearing Conservation Program.

back to top



III. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for routine tasks shall be selected by the Supervisor. The PPE must be provided at no cost to the employee. The Supervisor is responsible to assure that employees are provided appropriate PPE and that it is worn. Supervisors are encouraged to contact EHRS with PPE selection questions.

Training
The Supervisor must train the employee on the use of PPE for routine tasks before its use. Training should include

• When PPE is necessary
• What PPE is necessary
• How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
• The limitations of the PPE
• The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE

The Supervisor must retrain employee when there are changes in the types of PPE utilized or if the employee does not properly use the PPE.

The Supervisor shall not allow the use of defective or damaged equipment.

back to top



IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND RADIATION SAFETY

EHRS must provide training to each employee who is required by the University to use PPE for non-routine hazardous work. Non-routine hazardous work is a task that is performed for the first time and poses a high level of risk to the employee. EHRS will train these employees concerning:

• The health risks of the special hazard
• What special PPE is necessary;
• How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear the special PPE;
• The limitations of the special PPE;
• The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE.

Cleaning and Maintenance
PPE users must follow proper cleaning and maintenance procedures. Cleaning is particularly important for eye and face protection where dirty or fogged lenses could impair vision. PPE shall be inspected, cleaned and maintained at regular intervals by the user.

PPE shall not be shared between employees unless it has be properly cleaned and sanitized in accordance to the manufacturer's specifications. PPE will be distributed for individual use whenever possible. It is also important that any contaminated PPE either be cleaned before reuse or if it cannot be cleaned, it must be disposed of.

Recordkeeping
Written records shall be kept of the names of persons trained, the type of training provided, the dates when training occurred and the person(s) that provided the training. Supervisors shall maintain their employees' training records for at least 5 years. See Appendix A for a training record form.

back to top



VI. HOW TO SELECT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Hazard Assessment
Hazard assessment procedures shall be used to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Questions concerning hazard assessments should be directed to EHRS.

Controlling Hazards
PPE devices alone should not be relied on to provide protection against hazards, but should be used in conjunction with guards, engineering controls, and good hygiene practices.

Selection Guidelines
In order to select protective equipment that is appropriate for the task one must become familiar with the potential work hazards and the type of protective equipment that is available. Selection guidelines are provided in this document.

All personal protective equipment shall be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed and must meet relevant ANSI Standards as applicable.

Fitting the PPE
Careful consideration must be given to comfort and fit. PPE that fits poorly will not afford the necessary protection. Continued wearing of the device is more likely if it fits the wearer comfortably. Protective devices are generally available in a variety of sizes. Care must be taken to ensure that the right size is selected.

Devices with Adjustable Features
Adjustments should be made on an individual basis for a comfortable fit that will maintain the protective device in the proper position. Particular care should be taken in fitting devices for eye protection against dust and chemical splash to ensure that the devices are sealed to the face. In addition, proper fitting of helmets is important to ensure that it will not fall off during work operations. In some cases a chinstrap may be necessary to keep the helmet on an employee's head. (Chinstraps should break at a reasonably low force, however, so as to prevent a strangulation hazard.) Where manufacturer's instructions are available, they should be followed carefully.

Eye and Face Protection
Each affected employee shall use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.

Each affected employee shall use eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. All Eye and Face PPE must be selected in compliance with the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 and the ANSI Z 87.1-1989 Standard. Detachable side protectors are NOT acceptable and must not be utilized.

In an effort to improve compliance and fashion at Penn, EHRS has partnered with Fisher Safety to produce the UVEX Genesis safety glasses with the Penn logo. The UVEX Genesis® provides excellent clarity and improved fit, style and comfort. They are available from Fisher Safety under part # 19 130 2060 ($5.95). Fisher Safety offers replacement lenses available in a broad selection of tints and coatings that prevent scratching and fogging.

The University is required to provide you with the protective eyewear necessary to perform your job safely. Contact EHRS if you have questions regarding the selection of protective eyewear.

Employee who wear prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards shall wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or shall wear eye protection that can be worn over the prescription. Uvex Astro OTG 3001 safety glasses provide good protection over eyeglasses.

Eye and face PPE shall be distinctly marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer. Each affected employee shall use equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation. A listing of appropriate shade numbers for various operations follows.



back to top