Personal Protective
Equipment
Workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to
safeguard themselves from fire, hazardous chemicals,
and physical impact. PPE should only be utilized
when engineering designs and operating or
maintenance procedures are insufficient to provide a
secure working environment. PPE is the final line of
defense. It is always preferable to design a
facility so that hazards do not exist, or failing
that, to prevent employees from being exposed to the
hazards.
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The need for PPE can be determined with a risk analysis,
often in the form of a Job Hazards Analysis. The analysis
can be structured along the following lines:
1. Can the hazard be removed?
2. Can the safety consequences of the hazard be
reduced?
3. Can the likelihood of occurrence be reduced?
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TYPES OF PPE
The first type of PPE, known as standard PPE, is worn
routinely by workers in environments where safety hazards
are prevalent. This includes areas such as process
operating units, construction sites, loading docks,
warehouses, tank farms, and even offshore platforms.
Standard PPE includes essential gear like hard hats,
footwear with nonslip soles (often equipped with steel toe
caps), safety glasses featuring side shields, and high-
visibility clothing. This clothing may also be fire-
resistant in places where flammable materials are handled.
Also, workers around ships or on docks are required to
wear life jackets. While not worn constantly, gloves and
hearing protection should be readily available.
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TYPES OF PPE
The second type of PPE is situation-specific,
tailored to the particular risks associated with a task.
For instance, workers handling hazardous chemicals need
protective gloves specifically resistant to those
chemicals. This ensures that employees have the necessary
protection when facing unique dangers.
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TYPES OF PPE
Responsibility for providing, maintaining, and
repairing PPE falls on the employer's shoulders. According
to OSHA regulations, employers are mandated to furnish PPE
to their employees at no cost. Furthermore, they are
responsible for imparting proper training to their
workforce on using and tending to the provided PPE. This
comprehensive approach ensures that workers are adequately
protected and knowledgeable about safeguarding their well-
being in the workplace.
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CLOTHING
Wearing the proper attire is crucial for
safeguarding against corrosive, oily, dirty, and dusty
materials, ensuring they do not come into contact with the
body.
For laboratory workers and others handling
specialized chemicals, guidance on suitable clothing can
often be found in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
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FLAME-RESISTANT CLOTHING
Clothing made from flame-
resistant materials, known as Flame-
Resistant Clothing (FRC), does not
sustain combustion in such situations
and does not melt, unlike certain
synthetic fabrics.
Lakeland® Pyrolon® Plus 2 Flame
Resistant Attached Hood & Boots,
Elastic Wrists FR Coveralls Blue
FRC is often used to make coveralls, lab
coats, and fire hoods, which are often worn by
people who work in process buildings and on
electrical equipment that is turned on. 8
FLAME-RESISTANT CLOTHING
It is important to note that when wearing FRC,
the clothing worn underneath it should be made from
natural materials like cotton or wool rather than
synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester.
The requirement for fire-resistant clothing in
electrical work and protection against arc flashes is
determined by NFPA 70E (NFPA, 2015), which classifies
hazards into five Hazard Risk Categories.
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FLAME-RESISTANT CLOTHING
Certain situations require the mandatory use of FRC:
➢ When opening equipment or pipes containing
materials that could trigger a flash fire.
➢ During emergency response activities involving the
likelihood of hydrocarbons.
➢ For maintenance, repair, or inspection of voltage
systems (over 480 V) and installing new electrical
services, regardless of voltage.
➢ During fire training exercises.
➢ On offshore platforms.
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IMPERVIOUS CLOTHING/PROXIMITY
SUITS
Impervious clothing provides
protection from splashes of
hazardous or flammable
liquids; it should be worn
when severing lines or
opening equipment.
Proximity Fire Suits
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BUNKER GEAR
Firefighter protective clothing, often called
bunker gear, is an essential uniform for all members
of fire teams. It is important to emphasize that only
those who are properly trained should wear this
specialized clothing.
The specific type of bunker gear required may vary
based on the local environment and the types of fires
that are likely to occur.
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BUNKER GEAR
▪ A fire helmet equipped with a
clear visor.
▪ A fire coat and/or leggings.
The coat should extend to knee
length and possess flame-
resistant (FRC) capabilities.
▪ Insulated fire boots, reaching
at least calf height, with a
non-slip sole tread and a
reinforced safety toe cap.
▪ Safety gloves.
▪ Self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) for entering
smoky areas. 13
HEAD PROTECTION
These protective headgear items should be worn
in several settings, including construction sites,
areas with lifting operations or overhead work, and
within process plant environments.
Typically constructed from rigid plastic, hard
hats often feature a midline reinforcement ridge.
Within the helmet, there is a suspension system
designed to distribute the helmet's weight evenly
across the top of the head. This suspension also
creates a space of about 30 mm between the helmet's
shell and the wearer's head
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HEAD PROTECTION
Additional equipment and features can be added
to hard hats to enhance comfort and safety. These
include safety visors, sun brims for shade, built-in
hearing protectors, reflective tape, mirrors,
headlamps, heat-releasing vents, chinstraps, and
cold-weather insulation.
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HEAD PROTECTION
Color Scheme
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HEAD PROTECTION
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
Maintenance of hard hats is relatively
straightforward but crucial:
➢ Regularly inspect and replace them at the first
sign of cracking, dents, or damage.
➢ Store them away from direct sunlight.
➢ Use a mild soap solution to clean the hat and its
suspension system.
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HAND PROTECTION
Leather Palm Gloves
These gloves are ideal for
heavy-duty tasks. They offer
resistance against heat,
sparks, and sharp and rough
objects and provide some
cushioning against impacts.
However, they offer limited
protection against
hydrocarbons and liquids.
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HAND PROTECTION
Impervious Gloves
Made from neoprene, PVC, or
nitrile, these gloves are
essential when handling
hydrocarbons or corrosive
chemicals such as acids and
caustic substances.
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HAND PROTECTION
Gauntlet-Type Gloves
These gloves extend beyond
the cuff to protect the
wrist and forearm. They
should be worn when there is
a risk of splashing
hazardous chemicals.
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HAND PROTECTION
Cotton Gloves
Cotton gloves are lightweight
and suitable for general tasks.
However, they are not suitable
for handling rough or sharp
materials.
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HAND PROTECTION
Latex Gloves
Latex gloves offer maximum
dexterity but provide limited
protection. They are typically
used for light-duty tasks, such
as laboratory work and
preventing contact with oil,
grease, and liquids.
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HAND PROTECTION
Welders Gloves
Constructed from treated
leather, welders gloves offer
protection against heat,
welding sparks, splatter, and
hot slag.
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HAND PROTECTION
Insulated Gloves
These gloves are employed in
laboratory settings when
handling hot objects like
distillation pots. They provide
thermal insulation to protect
against burns.
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HAND PROTECTION
Electrician Gloves
Electrician gloves are
specifically designed to
protect against electrical
shock when working with live
electrical equipment.
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FOOT PROTECTION
Footwear used in process facilities should feature
notched or grooved soles to enhance traction on
slippery, oily, or wet surfaces. Also, they must
have soles resistant to oil. Having a heel is
beneficial for assisting with ladder climbing. In
situations where there is a risk of dropped objects
potentially causing foot injuries, it is essential
to wear boots or shoes equipped with steel toe
caps.
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FOOT PROTECTION
Insulating Boots
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EYE PROTECTION
As a general rule, the
use of safety glasses
is essential in
various work
environments. This
includes outdoor work
at process or energy
facilities, indoor
tasks involving
hazardous chemicals,
and most non-office
areas.
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EYE PROTECTION
The guidelines set forth by OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.133
can be summarized as follows:
Employers must ensure that
employees exposed to eye or face
hazards, such as flying particles,
molten metal, liquid chemicals,
acids, caustic liquids, chemical
gases, vapors, or potentially
harmful light radiation, use
suitable eye or face protection.
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EYE PROTECTION
The guidelines set forth by OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.133
can be summarized as follows:
When there is a risk of
flying objects, employers
must provide eye protection
that offers side protection.
Detachable side protectors,
like clip-on or slide-on
side shields that meet
relevant requirements, are
acceptable.
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EYE PROTECTION
The guidelines set forth by OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.133
can be summarized as follows:
Employees who wear prescription
lenses while engaged in tasks
with eye hazards must use eye
protection that either
incorporates the prescription
into its design or can be worn
over the prescription lenses
without disrupting their proper
positioning.
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EYE PROTECTION
The guidelines set forth by OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.133
can be summarized as follows:
For protection against harmful
light radiation, employees
should use equipment with
filter lenses that have an
appropriate shade number for
the specific task being
performed.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
This need may arise as a precaution, especially in
cases where there is a potential for an unexpected
release of toxic gas or particulate matter.
Two (2) Categories of breathing air system:
➢ Fixed
➢ Portable
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Fixed systems are typically employed when workers
spend an extended period inside equipment. An external
compressor supplies fresh air to the equipment.
Ensuring that the air drawn into the compressor is
free from toxic or flammable vapors is crucial.
Workers within the equipment should also have access
to portable breathing equipment in case the air they
are breathing becomes contaminated for any reason or
if the compressor malfunctions.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Portable respirators are used when the concentration
of toxic gases could reach levels deemed Immediately
Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH).
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
The five most commonly used types of respirators are
as follows:
➢ Supplied air (fixed)
Connected to an air supply source via a conduit,
supplied air respirators can receive air from either a
compressor or cylinders.
➢ Air-purifying
The material in air-purifying respirators traps and
purifies the air that the laborer breathes. Filters
can capture solid substances (particles or dust) or
hazardous gases depending on the material used.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
The five most commonly used types of respirators are
as follows:
➢ Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
Comparable to supplied air respirators, except that
the air is supplied from a cylinder that the laborer
typically carries. They are utilized for tasks of
brief duration as well as emergency rescue and escape.
➢ Chemical canister rebreathers
Chemical canister rebreathers are only utilized in
emergency situations. The canister contains a special
chemical that converts carbon dioxide and moisture in
exhaled breath into oxygen.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
The five most commonly used types of respirators are
as follows:
➢ Disposable.
Disposable respirators are intended for single use.
They are primarily used for protection against
nuisance dusts and nontoxic particles.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Several important inspections must be done before wearing a
respirator. The respirator's appropriateness should be checked
before usage. Employees with prescription glasses should use
specifically specialized respirators and avoid wearing facial hair
or normal spectacles. All respirators must also be inspected before
use to check for cracks in rubber parts or lenses, head strap
flexibility, and hose cracks after stretching. Covering the mask
and softly inhaling checks for leaks; a suitable fit is indicated
by drawing the mask toward the face. This check is crucial for
negative-pressure respirators. Self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) tanks should satisfy prescribed pressures, regulator
pressure should match cylinder pressure, and the low-pressure alert
should be checked.
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FALL PROTECTION
Here are some guidelines to help minimize issues
related to fall protection:
➢ Fall protection equipment should be employed
whenever there is a risk of a worker falling from a
height of 2 meters or more.
➢ It is advisable to incorporate fall protection
capabilities into the design of new facilities and
during the renovation of existing ones.
➢ Collaboration with the maintenance department is
crucial to determine the appropriate location and
suitability of anchor points for fall protection
systems. 40
FALL PROTECTION
Here are some guidelines to help minimize issues
related to fall protection:
➢ Anchor points must be engineered to support a static
load of 2250 kg per person attached to them.
➢ Special protective measures may be necessary when
electrical work is being carried out alongside fall
protection.
➢ Ensure anchor points are designed and engineered to
meet the required safety standards.
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FALL PROTECTION
Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS): A system used to
arrest an employee in a fall from a working level. It
consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body harness,
and may include a lanyard, deceleration device,
lifeline, or combination of these items.
Safety Harness: The part of fall protection equipment,
which supports the body in the event of a fall. A full
body harness type is required—safety belts are not
allowed for use as fall arrest equipment.
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FALL PROTECTION
Lanyard: A flexible line of rope made from synthetic
fibers having connectors at each end for connecting
the body harness to a deceleration device, lifeline,
or anchorage.
Deceleration Device: Any mechanism such as a rope
grab, self-retracting lifeline, or shock absorbing
lanyard, which serves to dissipate the force of the
fall, which would otherwise be imposed on the
employee.
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FALL PROTECTION
Anchor Point: A secure point of attachment of
lifelines, lanyards, or deceleration devices. Anchor
points must be capable of supporting a static load of
5000 pounds or 2250 kg/person attached.
Working Height: The distance from the worker’s footing
to the next lower working level or surface to which an
employee can fall.
Lifeline: A vertical line from a fixed anchorage or
between two horizontal anchorages, independent of
walking or working surfaces, to which a lanyard or
fall arresting device is secured.
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FALL PROTECTION
Competent Person: An individual knowledgeable of
manufacturer’s recommendations, instructions, and
manufactured components, who is capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards, and trained in the
proper selection, use, and maintenance of fall
protection.
Deceleration Distance: The vertical distance between
the harness attachment point at the activation of the
fall arrest equipment and that attachment point once
the individual comes to a complete stop.
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FALL ARREST SYSTEM
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FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM
Situations where fall protection is required include,
but are not limited to, the following situations
➢ Personnel baskets
➢ Ladders when used as working platforms
➢ Incomplete structural steel
➢ Elevated piping or pipe racks (a horizontal lifeline
system is recommended for elevated pipe racks)
➢ Tank roofs without a guardrail
➢ Open access ways for hoist areas
➢ Building roofs (such as compressor and process
buildings) without a continuous parapet on all
sides.
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FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM
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FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM
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FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM
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FALL ARREST SYSTEM EQUIPMENT
➢ Limiting Free Fall Distance: Fall protection systems
should be designed to restrict free falls to a
maximum of 2 meters.
➢ Deceleration Distance Limit: The deceleration
distance should be kept within 1 meter.
➢ Preventing Swing Fall Hazard: The system should
ensure that there is no potential for a swing fall
hazard and allow for an unobstructed fall.
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FALL ARREST SYSTEM EQUIPMENT
➢ Compliance with Standards: Personnel are only
permitted to use approved fall protection devices,
and these devices must be worn in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.
➢ Retiring Used Equipment: Personal fall protection
systems and components that have been employed to
arrest a worker's fall must be promptly taken out of
service.
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FALL ARREST SYSTEM EQUIPMENT
Connectors (D-rings and snap hooks): These should
undergo proof-testing to a load of 1600 kg and have a
minimum tensile strength of 2250 kg. Only locking-type
snap-hooks are acceptable.
Lanyards: Lanyards must possess a minimum breaking
strength of 2250 kg and be constructed exclusively
from synthetic fibers.
Attachment Point: The attachment point on the body
harness (D-ring) should be positioned at the center of
the wearer's back, near shoulder level or above the
head. 53
FALL ARREST SYSTEM EQUIPMENT
Prior to use, each employee must visually inspect the
system components for any signs of wear, damage, or
deterioration.
These guidelines aim to ensure the safe and effective
use of fall protection equipment, prioritizing worker
safety and compliance with industry standards.
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Thank you and keep safe!
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