Introduction
When elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure that it is used properly. Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE, is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards. Examples of PPE include gloves, foot and eye protection, hearing protection such as earplugs and muffs, hard hats, respirators, and full-body suits. Remember, PPE should be the last resort in hazard control, not the first choice. Some employers may mistakenly treat PPE as the complete solution. As a result, they may rely too heavily on PPE and too little on elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls.
This course provides general information and does not cover every workplace hazard or PPE requirement. Its methods and procedures are based on the general-industry PPE requirements in OSHA 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I—Personal Protective Equipment.
Course Objectives
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Describe the general employer and employee responsibilities related to the use of PPE. |
| LO 1.1.2 | Discuss employer responsibilities for selecting and providing proper PPE. |
| LO 1.1.3 | Describe the purpose for and process of conducting a hazard assessment. |
| LO 1.1.4 | Discuss the requirements for effective PPE training. |
| LO 1.1.5 | Describe the various types of eye and face protection. |
| LO 1.1.6 | Describe general requirements for the use of respiratory protection. |
| LO 1.1.7 | Describe the difference between air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying respirators. |
| LO 1.2.1 | Summarize the types of head protection and the purpose of each type. |
| LO 1.2.2 | Discuss the types of hand protection and give examples of how each type is used. |
| LO 1.2.3 | Discuss the types of foot protection and give examples of how each type is used. |
| LO 1.2.4 | Give examples of electrical protective equipment and inspection requirements. |
| LO 1.2.5 | Describe and contrast the characteristics of sound and noise. |
| LO 1.2.6 | Describe the requirements of a hearing conservation program. |
| LO 1.2.7 | Describe the four general types of hearing protectors and how they are used. |
Key: Terminal Objective (TO), Learning Objective (LO)