Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Effectively

You will receive training on how to perform workcould include a hard hat, chemical goggles, glasses,
activities that require you to handle, pour, store,face shield, full-face or half-face air-purifying
move, and dispose of potentially hazardousrespirator, hearing protection, gloves, foot
chemicals.  That training should include informationprotection, apron, and full body suits.
on what PPE to wear, how to use it, how toEnsure that you wear the correct type of PPE. 
keep it clean, and how to ensure it is useable.For example, there are several categories of
Remember, the PPE you use may be the onlyrespirators, including air-line supplied respirators,
barrier that you will have against the effects ofself-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and
exposure to hazardous chemicals. PPE has beenchemical cartridge respirators.  In no case, unless
designed and developed for industry andyou earn certification in the selection, use, and
specialized emergency responders to provide anmaintenance of respirators, can you select and fit
effective barrier against potentially hazardousand maintain your own respirator.  Also, in all
chemical exposures.cases you must receive hands-on training in
There are wide assortments of each category ofdonning, using, fitting, removing, storage, and
PPE according to the type and hazard exposurechecking respirators.
potential of materials you work with.  The PPEWear the PPE required for use in designated
you may use includes protective clothing orchemical operations, and wear it in the prescribed
devices to prevent injury or illnesses that maymanner.  For example, you must not place
affect your head, hands, feet, face and body asanything in your mouth that could change the
well as hearing, sight, and breathing.way the respirator fits around your cheeks or
Check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)/jaw.
Globally Harmonized System Safety Data SheetsFor more information about the content of this
(SDS) for required PPE for each chemical youarticle, refer to MSDS Section 8, “Exposure
use.  If you are exposed to several potentiallyControl/Personal Protection.”  For information
hazardous chemicals at the same time, you mustabout PPE, click on this link to access my blog,
use the PPE required to protect you from the"Using Personal Protective Equipment, featuring
most hazardous chemical.  The PPE you may usePPE references, products, and solutions.