Employers are required to assess the workplace to determine if there are hazards present, or are likely to be present, in the workplace which necessitates the use of PPE. If employees are required to use PPE, employers must establish general procedures, called a PPE Program, to provide employees necessary protective equipment and to train them to use it properly. The program should explain when to use PPE and how to select, maintain and evaluate it.

Employer's Responsibility:

1. Perform hazard assessment of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards.
2. Uses engineering controls and safe work procedures to eliminate or reduce hazards before using PPE.
3. Selects and provide appropriate PPE to protect employees from hazards that cannot be eliminated.
4. Train employees in the use and care of the PPE.
5. Maintain PPE and replace damaged or worn PPE.
6. Review, update and evaluate regularly the effectiveness of the PPE program.

Employee's Responsibility:

1. Properly wear appropriate PPE.
2. Attend training sessions on PPE.
3. Care, clean and maintain PPE.
4. Inform supervisor of the need to repair or replace damaged or worn PPE.

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

Employers are required to provide employees with appropriate eye or face protection if they are exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, molten metals, chemical gases or vapors, potentially harmful light radiation or potentially infected materials.

Guidelines in selecting the most suitable eye and face protection:

	Should be able to effectively protect against specific workplace hazards.
	Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.
	Should provide unrestricted vision and movement.
	Should be durable and cleanable.
	Should not interfere with the normal functioning of any other required PPE.

Types of Eye and Face Protection

	Safety Glasses - protective eyewear made of metal or plastic frames and and impact resistant lenses. Equipped with side shields or wraparound design to protect the eyes from the side.
	Safety Goggles - protective eyewear that completely covers the eyes and facial area immediately around the eyes and provide protection from impact, dust and splashes.
	Welding Mask - a full face protection made of fiber glass or vulcanized fiber and fitted with a filtered lens, welding shields. Welders mask protect the eyes from  burns caused by infrared and intense radiant light and protects both eyes and face from flying sparks, metal spatter and welding slag.
	Face Shields - a full face protection made of transparent plastic and protects both eyes and face against nuisance dust, flying particles and chemical splashes. Face shield does not provide protection against impact hazards and must be used in combination with safety glass or safety goggles.

HEAD PROTECTION

Employers must ensure that their employees are protected from head injuries if: (1) there are objects in their work area that might fall from above or strike them on the head, (2) they might bump their heads against fixed objects and, (3) there is a possibility of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.

Guides in selecting the most head protection:

	Should resist penetration by objects.
	Should absorb the shock of a blow.
	Water resistant and slow burning.
	Should have provisions for adjustments to ensure proper fit and comfortable use.

HAND AND ARM PROTECTION

Employers must ensure that their employees wear appropriate hand and arm protection if a workplace hazard assessment reveals that employees face potential injury to the hands and arms that cannot be eliminated through engineering and work practice controls.

Potential hazards include skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts punctures, fractures and amputations.

BODY PROTECTION

Employees who face possible bodily injury of nay kind that cannot be eliminated through engineering, work practice or administrative controls, must wear appropriate body protection while performing their jobs. 

Potential hazards include temperature extremes, hot splashes from molten metals, hot splashes from hot liquids, potentials impact from tools, machinery and materials and contact of hazardous and toxic chemicals.

HEARING PROTECTION

if engineering and work practice controls cannot effectively lower employee exposure to workplace noise to acceptable levels, employees must wear appropriate hearing protection.

Types of Hearing Protection

	Single use earplugs - are made of waxed cotton, foam, silicone rubber or fiberglass wool. They are self-forming and, when inserted properly, they work as well as most molded  earplugs.
	Pre-formed or molded earplugs - must be individually fitted by a professional and can be disposable or reusable.
	Earmuffs - require a perfect seal around the ear.