[Title 29 CFR 1910.139]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 29 - LABOR]
[Subtitle B - Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued)]
[Chapter Xvii - OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT]
[Part 1910 - OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS]
[Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment]
[Sec. 1910.139 - Respiratory protection for M. tuberculosis.]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
29LABOR52002-07-012002-07-01falseRespiratory protection for M. tuberculosis.1910.139Sec. 1910.139LABORRegulations Relating to Labor (Continued)OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENTOCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDSPersonal Protective Equipment
Sec. 1910.139 Respiratory protection for M. tuberculosis.
This section applies only to respiratory protection against M.
tuberculosis and applies in lieu of Sec. 1910.134.
(a) Permissible practice. (1) In the control of those occupational
diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs,
fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective
shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be
accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control measures
(for example, enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and
local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When
effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being
instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used pursuant to the
following requirements.
(2) Respirators shall be provided by the employer when such
equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee. The
employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable
for the purpose intended. The employer shall be responsible for the
establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protective program which
shall include the requirements outlined in paragraph (b) of this
section.
(3) The employee shall use the provided respiratory protection in
accordance with instructions and training received.
[[Page 451]]
(b) Requirements for a minimal acceptable program. (1) Written
standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of
respirators shall be established.
(2) Respirators shall be selected on the basis of hazards to which
the worker is exposed.
(3) The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of
respirators and their limitations.
(4) [Reserved]
(5) Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Those
used by more than one worker shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
after each use.
(6) Respirators shall be stored in a convenient, clean, and sanitary
location.
(7) Respirators used routinely shall be inspected during cleaning.
Worn or deteriorated parts shall be replaced. Respirators for emergency
use such as self-contained devices shall be thoroughly inspected at
least once a month and after each use.
(8) Appropriate surveillance of work area conditions and degree of
em- ployee exposure or stress shall be maintained.
(9) There shall be regular inspection and evaluation to determine
the continued effectiveness of the program.
(10) Persons should not be assigned to tasks requiring use of
respirators unless it has been determined that they are physically able
to perform the work and use the equipment. The local physician shall
determine what health and physical conditions are pertinent. The
respirator user's medical status should be reviewed periodically (for
instance, annually).
(11) Respirators shall be selected from among those jointly approved
by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health under the provisions of 30 CFR part
11.
(c) Selection of respirators. Proper selection of respirators shall
be made according to the guidance of American National Standard
Practices for Respiratory Protection Z88.2-1969.
(d) Air quality. (1) Compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air,
and liquid oxygen used for respiration shall be of high purity. Oxygen
shall meet the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia for
medical or breathing oxygen. Breathing air shall meet at least the
requirements of the specification for Grade D breathing air as described
in Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification G-7.1-1966.
Compressed oxygen shall not be used in supplied-air respirators or in
open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus that have previously
used compressed air. Oxygen must never be used with air line
respirators.
(2) Breathing air may be supplied to respirators from cylinders or
air compressors.
(i) Cylinders shall be tested and maintained as prescribed in the
Shipping Container Specification Regulations of the Department of
Transportation (49 CFR part 178).
(ii) The compressor for supplying air shall be equipped with
necessary safety and standby devices. A breathing air-type compressor
shall be used. Compressors shall be constructed and situated so as to
avoid entry of contaminated air into the system and suitable in-line air
purifying sorbent beds and filters installed to further assure breathing
air quality. A receiver of sufficient capacity to enable the respirator
wearer to escape from a contaminated atmosphere in event of compressor
failure, and alarms to indicate compressor failure and overheating shall
be installed in the system. If an oil-lubricated compressor is used, it
shall have a high-temperature or carbon monoxide alarm, or both. If only
a high-temperature alarm is used, the air from the compressor shall be
frequently tested for carbon monoxide to insure that it meets the
specifications in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(3) Air line couplings shall be incompatible with outlets for other
gas systems to prevent inadvertent servicing of air line respirators
with nonrespirable gases or oxygen.
(4) Breathing gas containers shall be marked in accordance with
American National Standard Method of Marking Portable Compressed Gas
Containers to Identify the Material Contained, Z48.1-1954; Federal
Specification BB-A-1034a, June 21, 1968, Air, Compressed for Breathing
Purposes; or Interim Federal Specification GG-B-00675b, April 27,
[[Page 452]]
1965, Breathing Apparatus, Self-Contained.
(e) Use of respirators. (1) Standard procedures shall be developed
for respirator use. These should include all information and guidance
necessary for their proper selection, use, and care. Possible emergency
and routine uses of respirators should be anticipated and planned for.
(2) The correct respirator shall be specified for each job. The
respirator type is usually specified in the work procedures by a
qualified individual supervising the respiratory protective program. The
individual issuing them shall be adequately instructed to insure that
the correct respirator is issued.
(3) Written procedures shall be prepared covering safe use of
respirators in dangerous atmospheres that might be encountered in normal
operations or in emergencies. Personnel shall be familiar with these
procedures and the available respirators.
(i) In areas where the wearer, with failure of the respirator, could
be overcome by a toxic or oxygen-deficient atmosphere, at least one
additional man shall be present. Communications (visual, voice, or
signal line) shall be maintained between both or all individuals
present. Planning shall be such that one individual will be unaffected
by any likely incident and have the proper rescue equipment to be able
to assist the other(s) in case of emergency.
(ii) When self-contained breathing apparatus or hose masks with
blowers are used in atmospheres immediately dangerous to life or health,
standby men must be present with suitable rescue equipment.
(iii) Persons using air line respirators in atmospheres immediately
hazardous to life or health shall be equipped with safety harnesses and
safety lines for lifting or removing persons from hazardous atmospheres
or other and equivalent provisions for the rescue of persons from
hazardous atmospheres shall be used. A standby man or men with suitable
self-contained breathing apparatus shall be at the nearest fresh air
base for emergency rescue.
(4) Respiratory protection is no better than the respirator in use,
even though it is worn conscientiously. Frequent random inspections
shall be conducted by a qualified individual to assure that respirators
are properly selected, used, cleaned, and maintained.
(5) For safe use of any respirator, it is essential that the user be
properly instructed in its selection, use, and maintenance. Both
supervisors and workers shall be so instructed by competent persons.
Training shall provide the men an opportunity to handle the respirator,
have it fitted properly, test its face-piece-to-face seal, wear it in
normal air for a long familiarity period, and, finally, to wear it in a
test atmosphere.
(i) Every respirator wearer shall receive fitting instructions
including demonstrations and practice in how the respirator should be
worn, how to adjust it, and how to determine if it fits properly.
Respirators shall not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal.
Such conditions may be a growth of beard, sideburns, a skull cap that
projects under the facepiece, or temple pieces on glasses. Also, the
absence of one or both dentures can seriously affect the fit of a
facepiece. The worker's diligence in observing these factors shall be
evaluated by periodic check. To assure proper protection, the facepiece
fit shall be checked by the wearer each time he puts on the respirator.
This may be done by following the manufacturer's facepiece fitting
instructions.
(ii) Providing respiratory protection for individuals wearing
corrective glasses is a serious problem. A proper seal cannot be
established if the temple bars of eye glasses extend through the sealing
edge of the full facepiece. As a temporary measure, glasses with short
temple bars or without temple bars may be taped to the wearer's head.
Wearing of contact lenses in contaminated atmospheres with a respirator
shall not be allowed. Systems have been developed for mounting
corrective lenses inside full facepieces. When a workman must wear
corrective lenses as part of the facepiece, the facepiece and lenses
shall be fitted by qualified individuals to provide good vision,
comfort, and a gas-tight seal.
(iii) If corrective spectacles or goggles are required, they shall
be worn so as not to affect the fit of the facepiece.
[[Page 453]]
Proper selection of equipment will minimize or avoid this problem.
(f) Maintenance and care of respirators. (1) A program for
maintenance and care of respirators shall be adjusted to the type of
plant, working conditions, and hazards involved, and shall include the
following basic services:
(i) Inspection for defects (including a leak check),
(ii) Cleaning and disinfecting,
(iii) Repair,
(iv) Storage
Equipment shall be properly maintained to retain its original
effectiveness.
(2)(i) All respirators shall be inspected routinely before and after
each use. A respirator that is not routinely used but is kept ready for
emergency use shall be inspected after each use and at least monthly to
assure that it is in satisfactory working condition.
(ii) Self-contained breathing apparatus shall be inspected monthly.
Air and oxygen cylinders shall be fully charged according to the
manufacturer's instructions. It shall be determined that the regulator
and warning devices function properly.
(iii) Respirator inspection shall include a check of the tightness
of connections and the condition of the facepiece, headbands, valves,
connecting tube, and canisters. Rubber or elastomer parts shall be
inspected for pliability and signs of deterioration. Stretching and
manipulating rubber or elastomer parts with a massaging action will keep
them pliable and flexible and prevent them from taking a set during
storage.
(iv) A record shall be kept of inspection dates and findings for
respirators maintained for emergency use.
(3) Routinely used respirators shall be collected, cleaned, and
disinfected as frequently as necessary to insure that proper protection
is provided for the wearer. Respirators maintained for emergency use
shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
(4) Replacement or repairs shall be done only by experienced persons
with parts designed for the respirator. No attempt shall be made to
replace components or to make adjustment or repairs beyond the
manufacturer's recommendations. Reducing or admission valves or
regulators shall be returned to the manufacturer or to a trained
technician for adjustment or repair.
(5)(i) After inspection, cleaning, and necessary repair, respirators
shall be stored to protect against dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold,
excessive moisture, or damaging chemicals. Respirators placed at
stations and work areas for emergency use should be quickly accessible
at all times and should be stored in compartments built for the purpose.
The compartments should be clearly marked. Routinely used respirators,
such as dust respirators, may be placed in plastic bags. Respirators
should not be stored in such places as lockers or tool boxes unless they
are in carrying cases or cartons.
(ii) Respirators should be packed or stored so that the facepiece
and exhalation valve will rest in a normal position and function will
not be impaired by the elastomer setting in an abnormal position.
(iii) Instructions for proper storage of emergency respirators, such
as gas masks and self-contained breathing apparatus, are found in ``use
and care'' instructions usually mounted inside the carrying case lid.
(g) Identification of gas mask canisters. (1) The primary means of
identifying a gas mask canister shall be by means of properly worded
labels. The secondary means of identifying a gas mask canister shall be
by a color code.
(2) All who issue or use gas masks falling within the scope of this
section shall see that all gas mask canisters purchased or used by them
are properly labeled and colored in accordance with these requirements
before they are placed in service and that the labels and colors are
properly maintained at all times thereafter until the canisters have
completely served their purpose.
(3) On each canister shall appear in bold letters the following:
(i)--
Canister for____________________________________________________________
[[Page 454]]
(Name for atmospheric contaminant)
or
Type N Gas Mask Canister
(ii) In addition, essentially the following wording shall appear
beneath the appropriate phrase on the canister label: ``For respiratory
protection in atmospheres containing not more than ---- ---- ------
percent by volume of ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----.''
(Name of atmospheric contaminant)
(4) Canisters having a special high- efficiency filter for
protection against radionuclides and other highly toxic particulates
shall be labeled with a statement of the type and degree of protection
afforded by the filter. The label shall be affixed to the neck end of,
or to the gray stripe which is around and near the top of, the canister.
The degree of protection shall be marked as the percent of penetration
of the canister by a 0.3-micron-diameter dioctyl phthalate (DOP) smoke
at a flow rate of 85 liters per minute.
(5) Each canister shall have a label warning that gas masks should
be used only in atmospheres containing sufficient oxygen to support life
(at least 16 percent by volume), since gas mask canisters are only
designed to neutralize or remove contaminants from the air.
(6) Each gas mask canister shall be painted a distinctive color or
combination of colors indicated in Table I-1. All colors used shall be
such that they are clearly identifiable by the user and clearly
distinguishable from one another. The color coating used shall offer a
high degree of resistance to chipping, scaling, peeling, blistering,
fading, and the effects of the ordinary atmospheres to which they may be
exposed under normal conditions of storage and use. Appropriately
colored pressure sensitive tape may be used for the stripes.
Table I-1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atmospheric contaminants to be
protected against Colors assigned \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acid gases............................. White.
Hydrocyanic acid gas................... White with \1/2\-inch green
stripe completely around the
canister near the bottom.
Chlorine gas........................... White with \1/2\-inch yellow
stripe completely around the
canister near the bottom.
Organic vapors......................... Black.
Ammonia gas............................ Green.
Acid gases and ammonia gas............. Green with \1/2\-inch white
stripe completely around the
canister near the bottom.
Carbon monoxide........................ Blue.
Acid gases and organic vapors.......... Yellow.
Hydrocyanic acid gas and chloropicrin Yellow with \1/2\-inch blue
vapor. stripe completely around the
canister near the bottom.
Acid gases, organic vapors, and ammonia Brown.
gases.
Radioactive materials, excepting Purple (Magenta).
tritium and noble gases.
Particulates (dusts, fumes, mists, Canister color for contaminant,
fogs, or smokes) in combination with as designated above, with \1/
any of the above gases or vapors. 2\-inch gray stripe completely
around the canister near the
top.
All of the above atmospheric Red with \1/2\-inch gray stripe
contaminants. completely around the canister
near the top.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Gray shall not be assigned as the main color for a canister designed
to remove acids or vapors.
Note: Orange shall be used as a complete body, or stripe color to
represent gases not included in this table. The user will need to
refer to the canister label to determine the degree of protection the
canister will afford.
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49748, Oct. 24, 1978;
49 FR 5322, Feb. 10, 1984; 49 FR 18295, Apr. 30, 1984; 58 FR 35309, June
30, 1993. Redesignated and amended at 63 FR 1270, Jan. 8, 1998]
Appendix A to Subpart I of Part 1910--References for Further Information
(Non-mandatory)
The documents in appendix A provide information which may be helpful
in understanding and implementing the standards in Subpart I.
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ``Accidents Involving Eye
Injuries.'' Report 597, Washington, D.C.: BLS, 1980.
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ``Accidents Involving Face
Injuries.'' Report 604, Washington, D.C.: BLS, 1980.
[[Page 455]]
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ``Accidents Involving Head
Injuries.'' Report 605, Washington, D.C.: BLS, 1980.
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ``Accidents Involving Foot
Injuries.'' Report 626, Washington, D.C.: BLS, 1981.
5. National Safety Council. ``Accident Facts'', Annual edition,
Chicago, IL: 1981.
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ``Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses in the United States by Industry,'' Annual edition,
Washington, D.C.: BLS.
7. National Society to Prevent Blindness. ``A Guide for Controlling
Eye Injuries in Industry,'' Chicago, Il: 1982.
[59 FR 16362, Apr. 6, 1994]
Appendix B to Subpart I to Part 1910--Non-mandatory Compliance
Guidelines for Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment
Selection
This appendix is intended to provide compliance assistance for
employers and employees in implementing requirements for a hazard
assessment and the selection of personal protective equipment.
1. 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 sound manufacturing practices.
2. Assessment and selection. It is necessary to consider certain
general guidelines for assessing the foot, head, eye and face, and hand
hazard situations that exist in an occupational or educational operation
or process, and to match the protective devices to the particular
hazard. It should be the responsibility of the safety officer to
exercise common sense and appropriate expertise to accomplish these
tasks.
3. Assessment guidelines. In order to assess the need for PPE the
following steps should be taken:
a. Survey. Conduct a walk-through survey of the areas in question.
The purpose of the survey is to identify sources of hazards to workers
and co-workers. Consideration should be given to the basic hazard
categories:
(a) Impact
(b) Penetration
(c) Compression (roll-over)
(d) Chemical
(e) Heat
(f) Harmful dust
(g) Light (optical) radiation
b. Sources. During the walk-through survey the safety officer should
observe: (a) sources of motion; i.e., machinery or processes where any
movement of tools, machine elements or particles could exist, or
movement of personnel that could result in collision with stationary
objects; (b) sources of high temperatures that could result in burns,
eye injury or ignition of protective equipment, etc.; (c) types of
chemical exposures; (d) sources of harmful dust; (e) sources of light
radiation, i.e., welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, heat treating,
high intensity lights, etc.; (f) sources of falling objects or potential
for dropping objects; (g) sources of sharp objects which might pierce
the feet or cut the hands; (h) sources of rolling or pinching objects
which could crush the feet; (i) layout of workplace and location of co-
workers; and (j) any electrical hazards. In addition, injury/accident
data should be reviewed to help identify problem areas.
c. Organize data. Following the walk-through survey, it is necessary
to organize the data and information for use in the assessment of
hazards. The objective is to prepare for an analysis of the hazards in
the environment to enable proper selection of protective equipment.
d. Analyze data. Having gathered and organized data on a workplace,
an estimate of the potential for injuries should be made. Each of the
basic hazards (paragraph 3.a.) should be reviewed and a determination
made as to the type, level of risk, and seriousness of potential injury
from each of the hazards found in the area. The possibility of exposure
to several hazards simultaneously should be considered.
4. Selection guidelines. After completion of the procedures in
paragraph 3, the general procedure for selection of protective equipment
is to: a) Become familiar with the potential hazards and the type of
protective equipment that is available, and what it can do; i.e., splash
protection, impact protection, etc.; b) compare the hazards associated
with the environment; i.e., impact velocities, masses, projectile shape,
radiation intensities, with the capabilities of the available protective
equipment; c) select the protective equipment which ensures a level of
protection greater than the minimum required to protect employees from
the hazards; and d) fit the user with the protective device and give
instructions on care and use of the PPE. It is very important that end
users be made aware of all warning labels for and limitations of their
PPE.
5. Fitting the device. 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 should be taken to ensure that the right size is
selected.
6. 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
[[Page 456]]
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 chin strap may be necessary to keep the helmet on an
employee's head. (Chin straps 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.
7. Reassessment of hazards. It is the responsibility of the safety
officer to reassess the workplace hazard situation as necessary, by
identifying and evaluating new equipment and processes, reviewing
accident records, and reevaluating the suitability of previously
selected PPE.
8. Selection chart guidelines for eye and face protection. Some
occupations (not a complete list) for which eye protection should be
routinely considered are: carpenters, electricians, machinists,
mechanics and repairers, millwrights, plumbers and pipe fitters, sheet
metal workers and tinsmiths, assemblers, sanders, grinding machine
operators, lathe and milling machine operators, sawyers, welders,
laborers, chemical process operators and handlers, and timber cutting
and logging workers. The following chart provides general guidance for
the proper selection of eye and face protection to protect against
hazards associated with the listed hazard ``source'' operations.
Eye and Face Protection Selection Chart
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assessment of
Source Hazard Protection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPACT--Chipping, grinding Flying fragments, Spectacles with side
machining, masonry work, objects, large protection,
woodworking, sawing, drilling, chips, particles goggles, face
chiseling, powered fastening, sand, dirt, etc. shields. See notes
riveting, and sanding. (1), (3), (5), (6),
(10). For severe
exposure, use
faceshield.
HEAT--Furnace operations, Hot sparks....... Faceshields,
pouring, casting, hot dipping, goggles, spectacles
and welding. with side
protection. For
severe exposure use
faceshield. See
notes (1), (2),
(3).
Splash from Faceshields worn
molten metals. over goggles. See
notes (1), (2),
(3).
High temperature Screen face shields,
exposure. reflective face
shields. See notes
(1), (2), (3).
CHEMICALS--Acid and chemicals Splash........... Goggles, eyecup and
handling, degreasing plating. cover types. For
severe exposure,
use face shield.
See notes (3),
(11).
Irritating mists. Special-purpose
goggles.
DUST-- Woodworking, buffing, Nuisance dust.... Goggles, eyecup and
general dusty conditions. cover types. See
note (8).
LIGHT and/or RADIATION--.......
Welding: Electric arc Optical radiation Welding helmets or
welding shields.
Typical shades: 10-
14. See notes (9),
(12)
Welding: Gas Optical radiation Welding goggles or
welding face
shield. Typical
shades: gas welding
4-8, cutting 3-6,
brazing 3-4. See
note (9)
Cutting, Torch brazing, Torch Optical radiation Spectacles or
soldering welding face-
shield. Typical
shades, 1.5-3. See
notes (3), (9)
Glare Poor vision...... Spectacles with
shaded or special-
purpose lenses, as
suitable. See notes
(9), (10).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Eye and Face Protection Selection Chart:
(1) Care should be taken to recognize the possibility of multiple and
simultaneous exposure to a variety of hazards. Adequate protection
against the highest level of each of the hazards should be provided.
Protective devices do not provide unlimited protection.
(2) Operations involving heat may also involve light radiation. As
required by the standard, protection from both hazards must be
provided.
(3) Faceshields should only be worn over primary eye protection
(spectacles or goggles).
(4) As required by the standard, filter lenses must meet the
requirements for shade designations in Sec. 1910.133(a)(5). Tinted and
shaded lenses are not filter lenses unless they are marked or
identified as such.
(5) As required by the standard, persons whose vision requires the use
of prescription (Rx) lenses must wear either protective devices fitted
with prescription (Rx) lenses or protective devices designed to be
worn over regular prescription (Rx) eyewear.
(6) Wearers of contact lenses must also wear appropriate eye and face
protection devices in a hazardous environment. It should be recognized
that dusty and/or chemical environments may represent an additional
hazard to contact lens wearers.
(7) Caution should be exercised in the use of metal frame protective
devices in electrical hazard areas.
(8) Atmospheric conditions and the restricted ventilation of the
protector can cause lenses to fog. Frequent cleansing may be
necessary.
(9) Welding helmets or faceshields should be used only over primary eye
protection (spectacles or goggles).
(10) Non-sideshield spectacles are available for frontal protection
only, but are not acceptable eye protection for the sources and
operations listed for ``impact.''
(11) Ventilation should be adequate, but well protected from splash
entry. Eye and face protection should be designed and used so that it
provides both adequate ventilation and protects the wearer from splash
entry.
(12) Protection from light radiation is directly related to filter lens
density. See note (4) . Select the darkest shade that allows task
performance.
[[Page 457]]
9. Selection guidelines for head protection. All head protection
(helmets) is designed to provide protection from impact and penetration
hazards caused by falling objects. Head protection is also available
which provides protection from electric shock and burn. When selecting
head protection, knowledge of potential electrical hazards is important.
Class A helmets, in addition to impact and penetration resistance,
provide electrical protection from low-voltage conductors (they are
proof tested to 2,200 volts). Class B helmets, in addition to impact and
penetration resistance, provide electrical protection from high-voltage
conductors (they are proof tested to 20,000 volts). Class C helmets
provide impact and penetration resistance (they are usually made of
aluminum which conducts electricity), and should not be used around
electrical hazards.
Where falling object hazards are present, helmets must be worn. Some
examples include: working below other workers who are using tools and
materials which could fall; working around or under conveyor belts which
are carrying parts or materials; working below machinery or processes
which might cause material or objects to fall; and working on exposed
energized conductors.
Some examples of occupations for which head protection should be
routinely considered are: carpenters, electricians, linemen, mechanics
and repairers, plumbers and pipe fitters, assemblers, packers, wrappers,
sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, timber cutting and
logging, stock handlers, and warehouse laborers.
10. Selection guidelines for foot protection. Safety shoes and boots
which meet the ANSI Z41-1991 Standard provide both impact and
compression protection. Where necessary, safety shoes can be obtained
which provide puncture protection. In some work situations, metatarsal
protection should be provided, and in other special situations
electrical conductive or insulating safety shoes would be appropriate.
Safety shoes or boots with impact protection would be required for
carrying or handling materials such as packages, objects, parts or heavy
tools, which could be dropped; and, for other activities where objects
might fall onto the feet. Safety shoes or boots with compression
protection would be required for work activities involving skid trucks
(manual material handling carts) around bulk rolls (such as paper rolls)
and around heavy pipes, all of which could potentially roll over an
employee's feet. Safety shoes or boots with puncture protection would be
required where sharp objects such as nails, wire, tacks, screws, large
staples, scrap metal etc., could be stepped on by employees causing a
foot injury.
Some occupations (not a complete list) for which foot protection
should be routinely considered are: shipping and receiving clerks, stock
clerks, carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics and repairers,
plumbers and pipe fitters, structural metal workers, assemblers, drywall
installers and lathers, packers, wrappers, craters, punch and stamping
press operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, gardeners
and grounds-keepers, timber cutting and logging workers, stock handlers
and warehouse laborers.
11. Selection guidelines for hand protection. Gloves are often
relied upon to prevent cuts, abrasions, burns, and skin contact with
chemicals that are capable of causing local or systemic effects
following dermal exposure. OSHA is unaware of any gloves that provide
protection against all potential hand hazards, and commonly available
glove materials provide only limited protection against many chemicals.
Therefore, it is important to select the most appropriate glove for a
particular application and to determine how long it can be worn, and
whether it can be reused.
It is also important to know the performance characteristics of
gloves relative to the specific hazard anticipated; e.g., chemical
hazards, cut hazards, flame hazards, etc. These performance
characteristics should be assessed by using standard test procedures.
Before purchasing gloves, the employer should request documentation from
the manufacturer that the gloves meet the appropriate test standard(s)
for the hazard(s) anticipated.
Other factors to be considered for glove selection in general
include:
(A) As long as the performance characteristics are acceptable, in
certain circumstances, it may be more cost effective to regularly change
cheaper gloves than to reuse more expensive types; and,
(B) The work activities of the employee should be studied to
determine the degree of dexterity required, the duration, frequency, and
degree of exposure of the hazard, and the physical stresses that will be
applied.
With respect to selection of gloves for protection against chemical
hazards:
(A) The toxic properties of the chemical(s) must be determined; in
particular, the ability of the chemical to cause local effects on the
skin and /or to pass through the skin and cause systemic effects;
(B) Generally, any ``chemical resistant'' glove can be used for dry
powders;
(C) For mixtures and formulated products (unless specific test data
are available), a glove should be selected on the basis of the chemical
component with the shortest breakthrough time, since it is possible for
solvents to carry active ingredients through polymeric materials; and,
(D) Employees must be able to remove the gloves in such a manner as
to prevent skin contamination.
[[Page 458]]
12. Cleaning and maintenance. It is important that all PPE be kept
clean and properly maintained. Cleaning is particularly important for
eye and face protection where dirty or fogged lenses could impair
vision.
For the purposes of compliance with Sec. 1910.132 (a) and (b), PPE
should be inspected, cleaned, and maintained at regular intervals so
that the PPE provides the requisite protection.
It is also important to ensure that contaminated PPE which cannot be
decontaminated is disposed of in a manner that protects employees from
exposure to hazards.
[59 FR 16362, Apr. 6, 1994]