Page 45 - OHS, March 2020

down to the fabric, seams and design. Decisions can be based on the following questions:
1. What is the probability of the hazard?
2. What is the likely amount of contact with hazard?
3. What is the expected duration of contact with hazard?
4. From what direction is the contact with hazard most likely?
Training for Proper Wear
Once the PPE has been selected, the employer must communicate the decision to employees. Then, workers must be properly sized and fitted for the protective clothing. Training starts with ensuring that workers know what PPE is required and when.
Training must include how to put on, remove, adjust and wear the PPE. Employees should not only try on the PPE, but they should use it when completing the activity that they will be doing when wearing the clothing to ensure that they are still comfortably and effectively able to complete their tasks.
Employee training is especially important because workers who are comfortable in their PPE are most likely to wear it. Those who are continuously adjusting or even removing their PPE are at risk to be exposed to the assessed hazards of the work environment. Also, incorrect PPE sizing could present more hazards than before, putting workers at risk of tripping and/or being caught up in their own clothing.
The limitations of the PPE—as well as the proper care and
maintenance, use life and disposal of the protective apparel—must also be covered when training with the PPE. In the case of chemi- cal and biological protective clothing, understanding the disposal method may require dealing with the exposed garment as a haz- ardous material itself.
Before deploying the PPE, employers must verify that em- ployees know, understand and follow their PPE training. Em- ployers must retrain an employee if there is any change in work assignment, a change in the type of PPE needed or if improper use is detected.
This verification process can be completed through a physical or paper audit and, unlike other training (such as HazCom), audit- ing activities are not required annually. However, it is a good idea to couple PPE auditing with mandated training to ensure the PPE program is still effective and that employees are using their equip- ment in the proper manner.
Sydny Shepard is the Editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine. REFERENCES
1. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnum- ber/1910/1910.132
2. http://www.wyomingworkforce.org/_docs/osha/programs/Personal- Protective-Equipment-Program.pdf
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