Module M2UB pages 115-140
: When selecting chemical-resistant gloves
, be sure to consult the manufacturer's recommendations, especially if the gloved hand(s) will be immersed in the chemical.
Butyl gloves
, which are made of a synthetic rubber and protect against a wide variety of chemicals, such as peroxide, rocket fuels, highly corrosive acids (nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and red-fuming nitric acid), strong bases, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and nitrocompounds. Butyl gloves also resist oxidation, ozone corrosion, and abrasion, and remain flexible at low temperatures. Butyl rubber does not perform well with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated solvents.
Glove Dust/Powder
- Absorb moisture and perspiration to increase comfort and decrease "sticky" gloves.
Glove Bag
- Are used to store and protect insulating gloves and protectors. They can be made of canvas or other sturdy material.
Safety Vests Standards
ANSI standards (ANSI/ISEA 107-2015) establish the standards, design, and specifications for reflective materials and the minimal amounts, placement, background material, testing methods, and care labeling for safety vests in an effort to make workers more visible
Liner Gloves -
Are used to reduce the discomfort of wearing rubber insulating gloves in all seasons, for year-round use. Liners provide warmth in cold weather, while they absorb perspiration in the warm months. These can have a straight cuff or knit wrist.
Fall Protection
In this section, we will deal only with PPE designed for fall protection and not deal with guard rails, safety nets, and items that are part of the worksite environment.
Fall protection Standards
OSHA 1926.104 deals with the standards for usage of personal protective and lifesaving equipment including the materials that can be used and their physical properties. ANSI Z359 is the Fall Protection Code. It is important to remember that the ANSI standards are voluntary unless referenced in federal regulations.
Testing Rubber Insulating Gloves
Rubber insulating gloves must be electrically tested in the lab within 12 months of the first issue and every 3 months after that
Some types of hearing protection include:
Single-use earplugs, Pre-formed or molded earplugs, Earmuffs
Particulate:
These respirators capture particles in the air, such as dusts, mists, and fumes, but do not protect against gases or vapors. As the filter is used, this respirator becomes more efficient as the particles accumulate and plug spaces between the fibers. Once the filter is difficult to breathe through, it should be replaced.
Employees need to store their assigned respirators in an appropriate manner to protect from
damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals. Respirators maintained for use in emergency situations shall be inspected at least monthly and after each use. Respirators that fail an inspection, or are otherwise found to be defective, shall be removed from service. Repairs or adjustments to respirators shall be made only by persons properly trained to perform such operations
Class I Safety Vests
is intended for use in areas where vehicle traffic does not exceed 25 mph. This class includes both vest and t-shirt styles.
Class II Safety Vests
is intended for use in areas where workers require greater visibility. This class is intended for traffic areas that involve speeds exceeding 25 mph.
Personal fall arrest system
is intended to catch the user in the event of a fall. Personal fall arrest system presents dangers in and of itself. While the fall distance will be minimized, the body can suffer freefall injuries. Also, if the worker is not "rescued" within a rather short time frame, they can suffer circulatory problems, stroke, or heart attack from suspension trauma
Travel restricting or fall restricting equipment
is intended to prevent falls by anchoring a worker in a position to keep him away from the edge of a work surface to prevent accidental falls.
Hundreds of types of tools and equipment are used on a daily basis by thousands of energy and utilities industry workers. Even though the use of tools and equipment is an everyday occurrence, workers must remember that deviation from appropriate and safe-use protocols can cause
serious injury or death.
The established methods and protective devices referred to in manuals and company safety trainings are
the result of research and experience.
General Safe Practices for Tool and Equipment Use
• Use only tools and equipment made and certified by reputable manufacturers. • Always use the right tool or machine for the job. • Never use a tool or equipment that you are unfamiliar with. • Inspect tools and equipment before each use. • Take necessary precautions to prevent dropping tools or equipment. • Do not wear jewelry such as rings or necklaces when working with tools or equipment. • Know the hazards of the tool or equipment you are using. • Use only tools and equipment in the manner in which they were designed to be used.
Earmuffs Advantages:
• less attenuation variability among users • designed so that one size fits most head sizes • easily seen at a distance to assist in the monitoring of their use • not easily misplaced or lost • may be worn with minor ear infections
Ear Plugs Advantages:
• small and easily carried • convenient to use with other personal protection equipment (can be worn with ear muffs) • more comfortable for long-term wear in hot, humid work areas • convenient for use in confined work areas
Four major duties are imposed by each of these standards. These duties are:
1) Use engineering controls where feasible to control the hazard; 2) Provide an appropriate respirator; 3) Ensure the use of an appropriate respirator; and 4) Institute a respiratory protection program that complies with the rest of the standard.
Respirators Description
A respirator is a protective face piece, hood, or helmet that is designed to protect the wearer against a variety of harmful airborne agents. It is specifically selected and worn by medically qualified, trained, and fit-tested personnel who work in locations where they may be breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors; or if they may be working in oxygen deficient or IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) atmospheres. The respirator must adhere to the company's Respiratory Protection Compliance Guide
Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators are also divided into three groups.
Air Supplied, Combination, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Following Manuals
All employees are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the guidelines and procedures set forth in tool and equipment manuals. Manuals delineate safe and proper tool/equipment usage by providing explicit directions and instructions. Employees should understand and appreciate the importance of reading manuals thoroughly before attempting to use new or unfamiliar tools and equipment.
Maintenance gloves
All protective apparel and equipment should be kept as clean and sanitary as possible. Frequent washing and cleaning is a necessity. When not in use, the equipment should be kept in protected storage locations. The apparel should be inspected carefully each time it is to be used, particularly the rubber gloves, which should be inspected both visually and air tested before each use. Any gloves with impaired protective ability should be discarded and replaced. Reuse of chemical-resistant gloves should be evaluated carefully, taking into consideration the absorptive qualities of the gloves. A decision to reuse chemically-exposed gloves should take into consideration the toxicity of the chemicals involved and factors such as duration of exposure, storage, and temperature.
Fit and Sizing Respirators
All respirators that rely on a mask-to-face seal need to be annually checked with either qualitative or quantitative methods to determine whether the mask provides an acceptable fit to a wearer. The qualitative fit test procedures rely on a subjective sensation (taste, irritation, smell) of the respirator wearer to a particular test agent while the quantitative test uses measuring instruments to measure face seal leakage. The relative workplace exposure level determines what constitutes an acceptable fit and which fit test procedure is required. For negative pressure air purifying respirators, users may rely on either a qualitative or a quantitative fit test procedure for exposure levels less than 10 times the occupational exposure limit. Exposure levels greater than 10 times the occupational exposure limit must utilize a quantitative fit test procedure for these respirators. Fit testing of tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators and tightfitting powered air-purifying respirators shall be accomplished by performing quantitative or qualitative fit testing in the negative pressure mode.
Maintenance protective footware
All safety footwear should be inspected before each use. Shoes should be inspected for cracks and wear and tear. Materials can separate and laces and buckles can break. Inspect the soles closely for embedded metal or other compromising materials that could create a tripping or electrical hazard. Workers should follow the manufacturers' recommendations for care, cleaning, and maintenance of their safety footwear.
Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Glove
Chemical-resistant gloves are made with different kinds of rubber: natural, butyl, neoprene, nitrile, and fluorocarbon (viton); or various kinds of plastic: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene. These materials can be blended or laminated for better performance. As a general rule, the thicker the glove material, the greater the chemical resistance, but thick gloves may impair grip and dexterity, having a negative impact on safety
Maintenance fire protecion clothes
Clothes should be cleaned according to manufacturer's instructions. If wearing chemically treated clothes, certain cleaning materials or processes might remove the protective qualities of the clothes.
Fit and Sizing fire protection clothing
Clothing must fit properly to allow for freedom of motion. It must not be too loose so that shirt tails or cuffs might get caught in equipment and pull the worker into danger. Most manufacturers supply a variety of sizes for both men and women to ensure proper fit.
Accessories protective footware
Considering workers' specific workplace conditions, some of the protection choices include leggings to protect the lower legs and feet. Toe guards are available to fit over the toe of existing shoes to protect the toes from heavy objects. Dielectric overshoes are available for workers working in hazardous electrical conditions.
Earmuffs Disadvantages:
Disadvantages: • less portable and heavier • more inconvenient for use with other personal protective equipment • more uncomfortable in hot, humid work area • more inconvenient for use in confined work areas • may interfere with the wearing of safety or prescription glasses: wearing glasses results in breaking the seal between the ear muff and the skin and results in decreased hearing protection.
Ear Plugs Disadvantages
Disadvantages: • requires more time to fit • more difficult to insert and remove • require good hygiene practices • may irritate the ear canal • easily misplaced • more difficult to see and monitor usage
Usage ear protection
Ear protectors must be used all the time to get full benefit. Removing the hearing protection for even five minutes during a shift will greatly reduce their protection. People should wear a hearing protector if the noise or sound level at the workplace exceeds 85 decibels (A-weighted) or dB(A). Hearing protectors reduce the noise exposure level and the risk of hearing loss. If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be instituted. A hearing conservation program includes noise assessment, hearing protector selection, employee training and education, audiometric testing, maintenance, inspection, record keeping, and program evaluation.
Electrical Protective Gloves
Electrical protective gloves are among the most important articles of personal protection for electrical workers. To be effective, the gloves must have a high electrical resistance and be strong and durable. The gloves must be flexible as well so workers can maintain their manual dexterity. Because they are not resistant to high heat or wear, they must be worn with a leather protective glove to protect the glove.
Respirators Usage
Employees shall be provided with and use respirators if they are exposed to unacceptable levels of hazardous atmospheric contaminants. Before they are allowed to wear and use respirators, employees shall be medically certified annually, properly fitted, and trained in all respirators they will use in the workplace. Before an employee can use any respirator with a tight-fitting face piece, he/she must be fit tested annually with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used. Employees who use respirators shall become familiar with the company's Respiratory Protection Program.
Employers must provide employees with a selection of at least one variety of hearing plug and one variety of hearing muff.
Employees should decide, with the help of a person trained to fit hearing protectors, which size and type protector is most suitable for the working environment.
Body Protection
Employees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that cannot be eliminated through engineering, work practice, or administrative controls must wear appropriate body protection while performing their jobs. In addition to cuts and radiation, the following are examples of workplace hazards that could cause bodily injury: • Temperature extremes • Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids • Potential impacts from tools, machinery, and materials • Hazardous chemicals There are many varieties of protective clothing available for specific hazards. Employers are required to ensure that their employees wear personal protective equipment only for the parts of the body exposed to possible injury. Examples of body protection include laboratory coats, coveralls, vests, jackets, aprons, surgical gowns, and full body suits. If a hazard assessment indicates a need for full body protection against toxic substances or harmful physical agents, the clothing should be carefully inspected before each use, it must fit each worker properly, and it must function properly and for the purpose for which it is intended.
Standards for fire protection clothing
Employees will wear company-approved flame retardant (FR) clothing whenever they are within 6 feet of exposed, energized parts capable of producing an arc hazard. Employees working within reach of exposed energized equipment shall remove or make nonconductive (for example, covering a ring with insulating gloves) all exposed conductive articles such as keys and watch chains, bracelets, wristwatches, and so forth.
hearing protection Standards
Employers must provide hearing protectors to all workers exposed to 8-hour TWA noise levels of 85 dB or above. This requirement ensures that employees have access to protectors before they experience any hearing loss.
Standards The OSHA Respirator Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103) applies to all occupational airborne exposures to contaminated air where the employee is:
Energy Industry Fundamentals — Module 2 130 1) Exposed to a hazardous level of an airborne contaminant; or 2) Required by the employer to wear respirators; or 3) Permitted to wear respirators.
Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves
Fabric and coated fabric gloves are made of cotton or other fabric to provide varying degrees of protection.
Description fall protection
Fall protection equipment includes fall arrest, work positioning, and travel restricting equipment worn by workers when working from heights.
Fit and Sizing fall protection
Fit is essential in preventing injuries from the equipment and to ensure that the forces on the body will be distributed to the points best able to absorb the shock.
Flame-Resistant (FR) Clothing Description
Flame-resistant clothing made from 100% cotton or wool may be acceptable if its weight is appropriate for the flame and electric arc conditions to which a worker could be exposed. As heat levels increase, these materials will not melt, but they can ignite and continue to burn. The amount of heat required to ignite these materials is dependent upon a number of factors, including the weight, texture, weave, and color of the material. This type of clothing does not comply with the "269" standard if it can ignite (and continue to burn) under the electric arc and flame exposure conditions found at the workplace. If they do not choose FR clothing, employers need to make a determination of whether or not the clothing worn by the worker is acceptable under the conditions to which he or she could be exposed. FR clothing is acceptable with respect to the OSHA apparel requirements. Flame-resistant clothing and protective clothing in general can be purchased as separates, pants and shirts, or as one-piece coveralls. Even partial protection, such as aprons, sleeves, chaps, and so forth, is available to cover specific areas of the body in danger in specific situations
Cleaning fall protection
For all nylon or polyester surfaces, remove all surface dirt with a damp sponge. Then dip the sponge in a mild solution of water and commercial soap and detergent and work up a thick lather with vigorous back and forth motions. Wipe with a clean cloth. Hang the harness to freely dry in a clean environment away from excess heat or direct sunlight. Some manufacturers suggest you store body harnesses in a hanging position from the back attachment point to keep it from creasing and to make it easier to put on the next time it is used.
Employees must wear hearing protectors: •
For any period exceeding 6 months from the time they are first exposed to 8- hour TWA noise levels of 85 dB or above, until they receive their baseline audiograms if these tests are delayed due to mobile test van scheduling • If they have incurred standard threshold shifts that demonstrate they are susceptible to noise • If they are exposed to noise over the permissible exposure limit of 90 dB over an 8-hour TWA.
Gloves made from a wide variety of materials are designed for many types of workplace hazards. In general, gloves fall into four groups: •
Gloves made of leather, canvas or metal mesh • Fabric and coated fabric gloves • Chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves • Insulating rubber gloves
Hearing Protection Description
Hearing protection is worn to reduce, control, or eliminate hazards associated with noise exposure. The protection comes in a variety of forms from disposable ear plugs to full ear muffs. In extreme noise situations, a worker can wear both ear plugs and ear muffs together.
The protector selected should be comfortable to wear and offer sufficient protection to prevent hearing loss.
Hearing protectors must adequately reduce the noise level for each employee's work environment. Most employers use the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) that represents the protector's ability to reduce noise under ideal laboratory conditions. The employer then adjusts the NRR to reflect noise reduction in the actual working environment. The employer must reevaluate the suitability of the employee's hearing protector whenever a change in working conditions may make it inadequate. If workplace noise levels increase, employers must give employees more effective protectors. The protector must reduce employee exposures to at least 90 dB and to 85 dB when an STS already has occurred in the worker's hearing. Employers must show employees how to use and care for their protectors and supervise them on the job to ensure that they continue to wear them correctly.
After visually inspecting each glove, apply an air test as follows to check for other defects.
Hold the glove with the thumb and forefingers as illustrated at right. Twirl the glove around quickly to fill it with air as illustrated at left. Trap the air by squeezing the gauntlet with one hand (see figure at right). Use the other hand to squeeze the palm, fingers, and thumb of the glove and look for weaknesses and defects. Hold the glove near your face to detect air leakage and then listen for escaping air when you hold the glove close to your ear. Gloves that are found to be defective in any way should not be used. Mark them or cut them in some way to ensure no one else will accidently find and use them.
Gloves
If a workplace hazard assessment reveals that employees face potential injury to hands and arms that cannot be eliminated through engineering and work practice controls, employers must ensure that employees wear appropriate protection. Potential hazards include skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts, punctures, fractures, and amputations. Protective equipment includes gloves, finger guards, and arm coverings or elbow-length gloves. Employers should explore all possible engineering and work practice controls to eliminate hazards and use PPE to provide additional protection against hazards that cannot be completely eliminated through other means. For example, machine guards may eliminate a hazard. Installing a barrier to prevent workers from placing their hands at the point of contact between a table saw blade and the item being cut is another method.
Maintenance Safety Vests
Manufacturers of reflective safety articles usually include care instructions with their product. Many companies have limits placed on the number of cleaning cycles that can be performed before the effectiveness of the garment is reduced. They may also include instructions for use as well.
Air-Purifying Respirators are of the following designs:
Particulate, Combination, Gas and Vapor
Fit and Sizing protective footware
Proper fit and sizing are very important aspects of wearing protective footwear. Improperly fitting shoes can cause a variety of foot ailments. Calluses, blisters, discomfort, foot pain, back pain, and fatigue can plague workers with improperly fitting shoes. All of these conditions can affect the attentiveness of a worker and can in turn create additional workplace mishaps. The worker should first wear the shoes at home for a time to establish proper fit and to afford early detection of any problems before Energy Industry Fundamentals — Module 2 127 wearing them to the workplace. The shoes/boots should have ample toe room, especially when accommodating thicker socks or arch supports. They should be fully laced up to ensure a stable, comfortable shoe.
Fit and Sizing gloves
Proper fit is critical because it leads to improved productivity. Finger length or the overall length of the glove should not be too long to avoid getting caught in moving equipment. In terms of overall sizing, the hand circumference should not be too small, because this reduces the user's range of motion, or too big so that the gloves are too loose.
Safety Footwear Description
Protective footwear is worn at the workplace for a variety of reasons. There are many hazards that require special protection for the feet and legs. Hazardous chemicals, hot metals, falling objects, slippery surfaces, sharp objects, and electrical hazards are just a few of the dangers present. There is a wide variety of footwear to fit the special workplace situations and some that are multipurpose. Some protective devices are added to existing work shoes and some involve replacing the entire shoe with a safety shoe. Those shoes specifically designed for use with electricity are often referred to as dielectric insulated footwear.
Standards gloves
Rubber insulating gloves should meet and/or exceed the requirements of current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D120 specifications. Gloves should also be electrically tested following ASTM D120/IEC903 specifications. Electrical protective gloves are categorized by the level of voltage protection they provide and whether or not they are resistant to ozone.
Safety Vests Description
Safety vests are garments worn over work clothes that incorporate the use of brightly colored fluorescent background material to increase visibility. These colors usually include fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, and fluorescent red. In addition to using a high visibility color, the use of retroreflective material is also utilized to make the garment especially noticeable.
Leather, Canvas, or Metal Mesh Gloves
Sturdy gloves made from metal mesh, leather, or canvas provide protection against cuts and burns. Leather or canvas gloves also protect against sustained heat.
Fit and Sizing ear protection
The effectiveness of hearing protection is reduced greatly if the hearing protectors do not fit properly or if they are worn only part time during periods of noise exposure. To maintain their effectiveness, they should not be modified. Remember, radio headsets are not substitutes for hearing protectors and should not be worn where hearing protectors are required to protect against exposure to noise. Molded ear plugs must be fitted by a professional. To insert ear plugs, the ear should be pulled outward and upward with the opposite hand to enlarge and straighten the ear canal, and insert the plug with clean hands. Ensure the hearing protector tightly seals within the ear canal or against the side of the head. Hair and clothing should not be in the way
Maintenance REspirators
The employer must provide for the cleaning, disinfecting, storage, inspection, and repair of respirators used by employees according to the procedures in 29 CFR 1910.134. Always inspect all respirators before putting them to use and assure that the seal is in good condition and seals properly. Disposable respirators cannot be disinfected and must be discarded. They are usually assigned to each individual and must be discarded if they become soiled, physically damaged, or reach the end of their service life. Reusable respirators with replaceable filters may be shared, but must be cleaned and disinfected after each use before being used by another person. The standard may be found in Appendix B-2 of 29 CFR 1910.134 or using the manufacturer's recommendations. All filters must be replaced whenever they are damaged, soiled, or cause difficulty breathing and discomfort.
Description There are many types of gloves available today to protect against a wide variety of hazards.
The nature of the hazard and the operation involved will affect the selection of gloves. The variety of potential occupational hand injuries makes selecting the right pair of gloves challenging. It is essential that employees use gloves specifically designed for Energy Industry Fundamentals — Module 2 116 the hazards and tasks found in their workplace because gloves designed for one function may not protect against a different function even though they may appear to be an appropriate protective device. The following are examples of some factors that may influence the selection of protective gloves for a workplace: • Type of chemicals handled • Nature of contact (total immersion, splash) • Duration of contact • Area requiring protection (hand only, forearm, arm) • Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily) • Thermal protection • Size and comfort • Abrasion/resistance requirements Gloves made from a wide variety of materials are designed for many types of workplace hazards. In general, gloves fall into four groups: • Gloves made of leather, canvas or metal mesh • Fabric and coated fabric gloves • Chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves • Insulating rubber gloves
Following Safety Training Procedures
There are many methods and types of safety training. Most safety training, regardless of what form it is provided in, provides important procedural instructions such as how to complete a particular job task or procedure. Safety meetings, tool-box talks, or "tailboards" are designed to provide instructional information to all employees regarding safety and health issues, typically regarding the use of tools and equipment or other safe work practices. When given properly, tool-box talks are an effective way to communicate existing or potential hazards to workers before any work begins. Compliance with safety training in all aspects of work functions including tool and equipment use helps to ensure a safe and hazard-free workplace
Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators (Combination:
These devices contain an auxiliary supply of air if the primary source fails. The auxiliary supply can be a small supply since it would only be utilized in escape situations. This respirator is commonly used in confined space entry situations.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus:
This device consists of a wearable clean-air supply pack and does not restrict movement due to hose length. The closedcircuit type can provide air up to 4 hours. The opencircuit type can provide air for only 30 to 60 minutes
Combination:
This respirator is effective against particles, gases, and vapors because it contains both particulate and gas/vapor filters. This respirator is commonly heavier in weight.
Air Supplied:
This respirator makes use of a hose to deliver clean, safe air from a stationary source of compressed air and can provide protection for long periods of time. These are usually fairly light in weight and can be used for extended periods of time. Their range is limited by the hose length and may fail due to hose damage.
Maintenance fall protection
To maintain proper service life and safe performance, all fall protection system components must be inspected regularly. For harnesses, you should inspect all webbing by gently rolling it to look for frayed edges, broken fibers, pulled stitches, cuts, burns, and chemical damage. D-rings should be checked for distortion, cracks, breaks, and rough or sharp edges. There should be no unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitches in the D-ring or buckle attachments. All buckles should be free of distortion, straight, and, for quick-connect buckles, make sure the tab release mechanism is free of debris and engages properly. Harnesses also include fall arrest indicators. If there is any sign that the harness has been activated, remove the harness from service. Lanyards should be inspected from one end to the other by slowly rotating the lanyard so that the entire circumference is checked. Fiber rope or web lanyards should be observed for fuzzy, worn, broken, snagged, cut, cracked, size distortion, or charring of the surfaces. Look for signs of activation. Remove from service if any of the above are present. Shock absorber packs or shock absorbing lanyards should be closely examined for signs of deployment. Wire rope lanyards should be inspected for broken strands, cuts, or frays. You should wear gloves to avoid injury when inspecting wire lanyards. Also check the hardware to ensure snaps latch and lock properly. Braking mechanisms should be checked. If the brake slips or fails to engage, do not use it.
The following are examples of some factors that may influence the selection of protective gloves for a workplace: •
Type of chemicals handled • Nature of contact (total immersion, splash) • Duration of contact • Area requiring protection (hand only, forearm, arm) • Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily) • Thermal protection • Size and comfort • Abrasion/resistance requirements
Gas and Vapor:
When there are hazardous gases and vapors in the air, this respirator is used. It utilizes cartridges or canisters to remove these contaminants. However, these do not protect against airborne particles. They are manufactured to protect against specific gases or vapors. Another factor is that this respirator only provides protection as long as the filter's absorbing capacity is not exceeded. Service life is dependent on many factors and can be estimated in various ways.
Usage gloves
Whenever the potential for skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts, punctures, fractures, and amputations exist, workers should be provided with protective gloves. The hazards of each task should be evaluated to determine the exact risks involved so that the proper glove for the job can be chosen. Whenever rubber insulating gloves are used, leather protective gloves should be worn over them to provide the mechanical protection needed against cuts, abrasions, and punctures. Look for those that are steam pressed on curved hand forms to ensure proper fit over rubber gloves. Chemical resistant gloves must be chosen dependent on the chemicals to be handled and their properties. The following table shows the level of protection various types of gloves provide for specific chemicals. You do not need to memorize the table, just know that they exist and should be consulted when choosing your gloves. The glove manufacturer should be consulted if there is any question. The following table from the U.S. Department of Energy (Occupational Safety and Health Technical Reference Manual) rates various gloves as being protective against specific chemicals and will help you select the most appropriate gloves to protect your employees. The ratings are abbreviated as follows: VG: Very Good; G: Good; F: Fair; P: Poor (not recommended). Chemicals marked with an asterisk (*) are for limited service
Usage protective footware
Workers involved in any environment where the feet and legs are susceptible to injury by workplace hazards should wear protective footwear. Choose the type of shoe that is most appropriate for the possible hazards at the workplace.
Treated wool and cotton
adapts well to changing temperatures, is comfortable and fire-resistant, and protects against dust, abrasions, and rough and irritating surfaces.
Fit and Sizing Safety vests
are available in a variety of sizes and styles to accommodate both large- and small-frame individuals. Garments should allow free movement but not to the point of hampering mobility or failing to stay in place during their use.
Safety meetings, tool-box talks, or "tailboards"
are designed to provide instructional information to all employees regarding safety and health issues, typically regarding the use of tools and equipment or other safe work practices. When given properly, tool-box talks are an effective way to communicate existing or potential hazards to workers before any work begins. Compliance with safety training in all aspects of work functions including tool and equipment use helps to ensure a safe and hazard-free workplace.
Single-use earplugs
are made of waxed cotton, foam, silicone rubber, or fiberglass wool. They are self-forming and, when properly inserted, they work as well as most molded earplugs.
Coated fabric gloves
are normally made from cotton flannel with napping on one side. By coating the unnapped side with plastic, fabric gloves are transformed into general-purpose hand protection offering slip-resistant qualities. These gloves are used for tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire to chemical laboratory containers. When selecting gloves to protect against chemical exposure hazards, always check with the manufacturer or review the manufacturer's product literature to determine the gloves' effectiveness against specific workplace chemicals and conditions.
The anchorages
are the point or points at which the user's PPE is connected to the structure, or point that is to take the force of a fall. These points normally should support a minimum dead weight of 5,400 pounds. There are several different types of anchor devices. Some are permanently fixed single point anchors such as eyebolts or anchor posts, temporary anchor devices such as girder slings, horizontal anchor lines, and horizontal anchor rails. The connecting component is typically in the form of a lanyard of sufficient length to allow required freedom of movement and connectors to allow the lanyard to be attached and detached as necessary. The connecting components also include shock absorbing devices to control the deceleration of a fall to dissipate a substantial amount of the energy during a fall event.
Fit and Sizing Face shields and helmets
come in various sizes. It is important to use one that fits you and protects your face and eyes. Headgear often has straps to allow the user to manipulate the size of the headgear to ensure a proper fit. You should always take the time to adjust the face shield so it fits securely and will not fall off when you carry out your tasks.
The body harness
consists of the straps and padding that are worn by the employee in a way that will distribute the fall arrest forces over at minimum the person's thighs, pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders. The harness may have multiple attachment points in different positions, each for a different purpose, such as fall arrest, work positioning, and travel restriction
Usage Fall protection
equipment such as fall arrest, work positioning, and travel restricting equipment must be worn by workers working from heights greater than 6 feet for qualified climbers and 4 feet for all others. The proper choice of equipment depends on specific job-site facts and application limitations. A competent person, as defined by OSHA, must make these equipment decisions.
Usage Fire-resistant clothing is required
for work in energized AC or DC distribution cabinets located within 6 feet of exposed parts energized at 50 volts or greater that will sustain an arc. Depending on other work tasks, clothing that protects against temperature extremes; hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids; potential impacts from tools, machinery, and materials; and hazardous chemicals may be required.
Fall protection equipment actually consist of
harnesses, anchorages, and connecting components.
There are many methods and types of safety training. Most safety training, regardless of what form it is provided in, provides
important procedural instructions such as how to complete a particular job task or procedure.
Work positioning equipment
includes equipment such as rappelling equipment that allows workers to be suspended from ropes to gain access to their place of work. Generally, when a job demands this type of suspension, two sets of ropes are used-the suspension lines and a separate safety line for fall arrest.
Safe work practices and procedures created by tool and equipment manufacturers and energy and utility companies are compiled into
into manuals or utilized to provide safety training to promote employee protection and prevent accidents.
Duck
is a closely woven cotton fabric that protects against cuts and bruises when handling heavy, sharp, or rough materials.
Leather
is often used to protect against dry heat and flames.
Pre-formed or molded earplugs
must be individually fitted by a professional and can be disposable or reusable. Reusable plugs should be cleaned after each use.
Standards Safety footwear
must meet ANSI minimum compression and impact performance standards in ANSI Z41-1991 (American National Standard for Personal ProtectionProtective Footwear) or equivalent protection. All ANSI-approved footwear has a protective toe and offers impact and compression protection. Specific safety shoes exist for workers involved in working with electricity. Electric hazard safety shoes prevent feet from completing an electrical circuit. These shoes do have their safety factor compromised if they become wet, have worn-through soles or metal objects embedded in the soles, or contact conductive grounded items. Nonconductive footwear should not be worn in an explosive or hazardous location.
Synthetic gloves
of various materials offer protection against heat and cold, are cut- and abrasive-resistant, and may withstand some diluted acids. These materials do not stand up against alkalis and solvents.
In the energy and utilities industry, employees must recognize hazards associated with the different tools and equipment they use and be knowledgeable about
proper use and safety precautions necessary to prevent hazards.
Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene, and plastics
protect against certain chemicals and physical hazards. When chemical or physical hazards are present, check with the clothing manufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide protection against the specific hazard.
Fabric gloves
protect against dirt, slivers, chafing, and abrasions. They do not provide sufficient protection for use with rough, sharp, or heavy materials. Adding a plastic coating will strengthen some fabric gloves.
Aramid fiber gloves
protect against heat and cold, are cut- and abrasiveresistant, and wear well.
Leather gloves
protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips, and rough objects
Respirators must be stored to
protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals. They must also be packed or stored to prevent deformation of the face piece and exhalation valve. The face pieces will become distorted and the straps will lose elasticity if hung by the strap. Storing the respirator in a sealed plastic bag is not recommended. The respirator can become damp during use and the seal of the bag prevents drying and can create germ growth. They should always be allowed to dry before storage.
Aluminized gloves
provide reflective and insulating protection against heat and require an insert made of synthetic materials to protect against heat and cold.
Class III Safety Vests
provides the highest level of visibility, especially in high-risk areas and where speeds exceed 50 mph. These garments extend coverage to include the arms and legs as well as the torso. This class often includes coveralls, jackets, pants, or rain gear.
Earmuffs
require a perfect seal around the ear. Glasses, facial hair, long hair, or facial movements such as chewing may reduce the protective value of earmuffs.
Maintenance Face shields
require maintenance and cleaning similar to safety glasses and safety goggles.
Natural (latex)
rubber gloves, which are comfortable to wear, which makes them a popular general-purpose glove. They feature outstanding tensile strength, elasticity, and temperature resistance. In addition to resisting abrasions caused by grinding and polishing, these gloves protect workers' hands from most water solutions of acids, alkalis, salts, and ketones. Latex gloves have caused allergic reactions in some individuals and may not be appropriate for all employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, and powderless gloves are possible alternatives for workers who are allergic to latex gloves.
Usage Safety vests
should be used in any situations or areas where subdued, reduced lighting and high traffic require increased visibility. Each company should set their own standards where reflective garments should be required. There should always be sufficient numbers to provide any worker the option of wearing a reflective safety garment even when not required.
Usage Face shields
should be worn while working with a pneumatic or electrical tool, which may produce dust, chips, or airborne objects. Tools such as a jackhammer, chipping gun, grinder, or beveling machine require the use of face shields. Face shields should be worn when performing energized pressure washing in substations or current, performing battery maintenance, during abrasive blasting operations, operating abrasive equipment, or as required by the manufacturer. For complete protection, safety goggles should be worn beneath the face shield. Face shields come in a variety of styles with windows and headgear made from different transparent materials in different shades and thicknesses to correspond with specific tasks. It is important to select the proper shield for the job.
Compliance with safety procedures set forth in manuals and safety trainings ensures
the health and safety of employees, employers, and the community.
) When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels,
their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C(1)/T(1) + C(2)/T(2) = C(n)/T(n) exceeds unity, then the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. C(n) indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and T(n) indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level. Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.
Paper-like fiber
used for disposable suits provides protection against dust and splashes.
According to OSHA 1910.95,
when employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in the following table, Permissible Noise Exposures, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the following table.
Nitrile gloves,
which are made of a copolymer and provide protection from chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Although intended for jobs requiring dexterity and sensitivity, nitrile gloves stand up to heavy use even after prolonged exposure to substances that cause other gloves to deteriorate. They offer protection when working with oils, greases, acids, caustics, and alcohols but are generally not recommended for use with strong oxidizing agents, aromatic solvents, ketones, and acetates.
Neoprene gloves,
which are made of synthetic rubber and offer good pliability, finger dexterity, high density, and tear resistance. They protect against hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids, and alkalis. They generally have chemical and wear resistance properties superior to those made of natural rubber.
Types of Respirators There are two main types of respirators
—air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying, as described below.
Voltage protection is broken down into the following classes:
• Class 0: Maximum use voltage of 1,000 volts AC/proof tested to 5,000 volts AC • Class 1: Maximum use voltage of 7,500 volts AC/proof tested to 10,000 volts AC • Class 2: Maximum use voltage of 17,000 volts AC/proof tested to 20,000 volts AC Class 3: Maximum use voltage of 26,500 volts AC/proof tested to 30,000 volts AC • Class 4: Maximum use voltage of 36,000 volts AC/proof tested to 40,000 volts AC
Before each wearing, the user must visually inspect the rubber gloves, stretch a small area of the glove for a time, and look for defects such as:
• Embedded foreign material • Deep scratches • Pinholes and punctures • Snags or cuts In addition, check for signs of deterioration caused by oil products, insulation compounds, or other substances. If the gloves are dirty, wash them with soap and water before inspecting them and then inspect the gloves thoroughly. Be sure to turn the gloves inside out and inspect the inside thoroughly for signs of wear.
Employees shall not wear and use respirators if they have:
• Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face piece and the face, or that interferes with valve function • Any condition that interferes with the face-to-face piece seal or valve function • Goggles, eyeglasses, or other personal protective equipment that is worn in such a manner that interferes with the seal of the face piece to the face. Employees with a medical need will be furnished prescription glass inserts.
Hearing protection must be cared for properly. In addition, ear plugs must be kept clean and free from dirt and grime. You should wash your hands before inserting them. Below are some general guidelines:
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions. • Check hearing protection regularly for wear and tear. • Replace ear cushions or plugs that are no longer pliable. • Replace a unit when head bands are so stretched that they do not keep ear cushions snugly against the head. • Disassemble ear muffs to clean. • Wash ear muffs with a mild liquid detergent in warm water, and then rinse in clear warm water. Ensure that sound-attenuating material inside the ear cushions does not get wet. • Use a soft brush to remove skin oil and dirt that can harden ear cushions. Energy Industry Fundamentals — Module 2 137 • Squeeze excess moisture from the plugs or cushions, and then place them on a clean surface to air dry. (Check the manufacturer's recommendations first to find out if the ear plugs are washable.)
All filters, cartridges, and canisters used in the workplace shall be:
• Labeled • Color coded with the NIOSH-approval label • Not used if the label is removed or is illegible
Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each effective against particular hazards, such as:
• Paper-like fiber used for disposable suits provides protection against dust and splashes. • Treated wool and cotton adapts well to changing temperatures, is comfortable and fire-resistant, and protects against dust, abrasions, and rough and irritating surfaces. • Duck is a closely woven cotton fabric that protects against cuts and bruises when handling heavy, sharp, or rough materials. • Leather is often used to protect against dry heat and flames. • Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene, and plastics protect against certain chemicals and physical hazards. When chemical or physical hazards are present, check with the clothing manufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide protection against the specific hazard.
In addition to cuts and radiation, the following are examples of workplace hazards that could cause bodily injury:
• Temperature extremes • Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids • Potential impacts from tools, machinery, and materials • Hazardous chemicals
