| OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety | | | | must evaluate the following: |
| Administration) has issued numerous safety | | | | The predominant physical, chemical, or toxic |
| standards for specific industries, mandating that | | | | property of the material. For instance, protection |
| employers require employees in those industries | | | | against a corrosive compound is different from |
| require employees to use personal protection | | | | what is needed for a compound that gives off a |
| equipment (PPE) on the job. For instance, hard | | | | toxic vapor. |
| hats are required in the construction industry as | | | | The work function and the probability of exposure |
| well as the use of fall protection equipment. Some | | | | Once the hazard has been identified appropriate |
| OSHA standards require the employer to pay for | | | | PPE can be selected and the level of protection |
| the PPE and in other cases OSHA has been silent. | | | | must be adequate.This equipment ranges from |
| This changed on February 13, 2008 when OSHA | | | | protective helmets to prevent injury in |
| issued a new standard REQUIRING employers to | | | | construction and cargo handling work to hearing |
| provide appropriate PPE when the equipment is | | | | protection, eye protection, hard-toed shoes, |
| necessary to protect employees from job-related | | | | special goggles and gauntlets to be used in welding |
| injuries, illnesses and fatalities. There is to be NO | | | | and iron work. |
| COST to employees. The rule must be fully | | | | The use of PPE is specifically required by OSHA in |
| implemented by May 15, 2008. Section 1910.132 | | | | 29 CFR1910 with various sections listing specific |
| requires that "protective equipment for eyes, | | | | equipment required for protection in a variety of |
| face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, | | | | hazardous working conditions. |
| respiratory devices, and protective shields and | | | | - Abrasive Blasting 1910.94(a) (5) |
| barriers shall be provided, used, and maintained in | | | | - Noise Exposure 1910.95(1) |
| a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is | | | | - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency |
| necessary by reason of hazards of processes or | | | | Response 1910.120 |
| environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards | | | | - Fire brigades 1910(f) |
| or mechanical irritant5s encountered in a manner | | | | - Welding, Cutting, and Brazing 1910.252(a)(5) |
| capable of causing injury or impairment in the | | | | - Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills 1010.261(b)(2) |
| function of any part of the body through | | | | - Textiles 1910.262(qq) |
| absorption inhalation or physical contact." | | | | - Pulpwood Logging 1910.266(c)(1) |
| To summarize, employers are required to provide | | | | - Asbestos Exposure 1910.1000(d) |
| a hazard free environment for employees. | | | | - Hazard Communication Standard |
| Anyone who encounters hazardous conditions | | | | 1910.1200(h)(2)(iii) This new OSHA rule REQUIRES |
| must be protected against them. Personal | | | | employers to provide protective equipment to |
| protective clothing and equipment is designed to | | | | employees AT NO COST. If an employee |
| shield workers from the chemical, physical, and | | | | provides his own protective equipment, it must |
| biological hazards that may be present in the | | | | meet OSHA standards and the employer is not |
| workplace. When the type and degree of | | | | required to reimburse the employee for its cost. |
| protection are being considered, the employer | | | | |