Staying OSHA Compliant with Personal Protective Equipment

What is Personal Protective Equipment? 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials. From Hazard Assessment to selecting proper equipment, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has specific requirements for employers to adhere to in order to remain complaint.

Examples of Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is in wide use throughout general industry workplaces today in the form of masks, gloves, eye shields, etc.

OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Regulations

The presence of personal protective equipment in many non-healthcare related work settings makes it is easy to assume that everyone knows how to properly use such common items and what their limitations may be. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, however, makes no such assumption and instead has very specific requirements for properly documenting that its concerns about workers being properly trained to use PPE have been addressed.

OSHA PPE Guidelines

• Have employees been trained and have they understood the training concerning use of the selected PPE?
• Has a Workplace/Job Hazard Assessment been performed to determine what hazards are present that make PPE necessary? Has the employer certified in writing that this assessment has been completed?
• Has the PPE being used in the workplace been selected in accordance with the findings of the Workplace/Job Hazard Assessment specific to your particular location?
• Have you checked to see if OSHA has specific programs associated with PPE in your industry?

 
Stericycle’s OSHA Compliance Solutions can help your organization remain in compliance with current PPE regulations.