OSHA PPE STANDARD OSHA has updated its regulations for personal protective equipment for employees (29 CFR 1910.132, .133, .135, .136, and .138). This excludes respirators. Under this standard, employers must conduct a hazard evaluation to determine if hazards are present, or likely to be present, necessitating the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, the employer must: 1) select and have employees use the types of PPE that will protect them; 2) communicate selection choices to employees; and 3) select PPE that properly fits each employee. The employer must certify in writing that the hazard assessment has been performed. Employees who are required to wear PPE must be trained in the following: 1) when PPE is necessary; 2) What PPE is necessary; and 3) How to put on and off, adjust and wear PPE. Employees must demonstrate an understanding of the training and an ability to use PPE before being allowed to perform work requiring its use. Retraining is necessary if an employee doesn't show this understanding or skill, or if changes in the workplace or types of PPE make previous training obsolete. The employer must certify the training of employees. EYE AND FACE PROTECTION The face and eyes must be protected against a variety of hazards, including flying particles (chipping, grinding, etc.), radiation (welding, glassblowing, carbon arcs, kilns, foundries) and chemical splash (acids, caustics, solvents, etc.), molten metal splashes, chemical gases or vapors, etc. OSHA requires that employees use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to these hazards (29 CFR 1910.133). PPE purchased after July 5, 1994 must comply with American National Standards Institute Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection (ANSI publication Z87.1-1989). PPE purchased before July 5 must comply with ANSI Z87.1- 1968, or be demonstrated to be equally effective.. All eye and face protection devices meeting this standard have the Z87 logo stamped on them. One important factor is that face protection is different from eye protection. In certain instances, you may have to wear both protective goggles and a face shield to work safely. The use of a face shield does not necessarily provide adequate eye protection. Sometimes individuals will wear face shields when in fact they only need eye protection. Protection Against Impact Protection against impact or flying particles is of three types: spectacles with impact-resistant lenses and side shields, flexible or cushioned goggles, and chipping or eyecup goggles. For some types of exposure, a combination of goggles and face shield is advised. OSHA requires side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Regular eyeglasses do not meet industrial impact protection standards. Flexible goggles are available that can be worn over eyeglasses. In addition it is possible to obtain goggles with prescription lenses. Protection Against Radiation The type of protection needed against radiation depends on the type of radiation exposure. Carbon arcs and electrical welding require protection against ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation. The ultraviolet radiation can cause conjunctivitis ("arc eye"), sunburn, and skin cancer. A face shield is necessary as well as welding goggles. Table 1 lists minimum shade numbers for various operations, according to OSHA. In general, the rule is to use the darkest shade possible that is compatible with visibility. In oxyacetylene welding, glassblowing, soldering, pottery and enameling kilns, and foundry work involving molten metal, the concern is mostly with protection against the visible and infrared radiation. Over a period of years, exposure to infrared radiation can lead to the development of cataracts. Goggles protecting against infrared radiation are recommended. In the case of foundry pours, a face shield protecting against infrared radiation is also recommended. Plastic lenses are recommended where there is a risk of molten metal splash. For looking in pottery or enameling kilns, use goggles with a shade number between 1.7 and 3. For glassblowing and foundry, a shade number of 3 is often used. Special infrared goggles are also available. Protection Against Chemical Splash Protection against chemical splash depends on the severity of the problem. For work with hot, concentrated acids in large amounts, complete acid hoods covering head and shoulders are available. In other cases face shields and goggles or simply chemical goggles with baffled ventilation are sufficient. For eye irritants, you should choose unventilated goggles. If chemicals splash in the eyes, it is necessary to flush the eyes with water for 15-20 minutes and consult a physician. Equipment Maintenance Goggles and face shields should be regularly inspected for scratches, pitting, clouding, etc. and replaced if necessary. They should be regularly cleaned, and disinfected if worn by more than one person, and stored away from heat and light. GLOVES AND HAND PROTECTION Many acids, solvents, and other liquids found in art materials are capable of damaging the skin to cause dermatitis, the leading occupational disease. Gloves are available that can protect the hand against most hazardous exposures. These include chrome-tanned leather gloves for protection against heat, sparks, molten metal, chipping and cuts; cotton or fabric gloves work gloves for protection against dirt, abrasion, cold, and chips or slivers; metal mesh gloves for protection against hand saws, knives, and similar tools; and plastic and rubber gloves to protect against toxic liquid chemicals. Asbestos gloves aren't recommended for use because of the release of hazardous fibers. OSHA requires that employers select and require that employees use appropriate hand protection when exposed to hazards that can damage the skin or can result in skin absorption of harmful substances (29 CFR 1910.138). OTHER PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT There is a wide variety of other types of personal protective equipment available for particular purposes, including safety helmets, safety shoes, protective leggings and sleeves, heat-resistant clothing, impermeable protective suits, etc. OSHA requires that employees wear protective helmets when working in areas where there is a potential for head injury from falling objects, and that the helmets must be designed to reduce electrical shock hazards when near exposed electrical conductors that could contact the head (29 CFR 1910.135). Helmets purchased after July 5, 1994 must comply with ANSI Z89.1-1986 - "American National Standard for Personnel Protection - Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers - Requirements." Helmets purchased before July 5 must comply with ANSI Z89.1-1969 or must be demonstrated to be equally effective. OSHA requires that employees must wear protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling and rolling objects, objects that can pierce the sole, and where feet are subject to electrical hazards. The selection of footwear purchased after July 5, 1994 must comply with ANSI Z41-1991, "American National Standard for Personal Protection - Protective Footwear." Equipment purchased prior to July 5 must comply with ANSI Z41.1-1867, "USA Standard for Men's Safety-Toe Footwear", or be demonstrated to be equally effective. Personal protective equipment of all types is available from safety equipment suppliers. A partial list of such suppliers is found in the file SAFRES.TXT in Library 1. ======================================================================== Table 1. Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy Operations Electric size Arc current Minimum * (1/32 inch) (amps) Protective Shade ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Shielded metal Less than 3 Less than 60 7 arc welding 3-5 60-160 8 5-8 160-250 10 More than 8 250-550 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gas metal arc Less than 60 7 welding and 60-160 10 flux-cored arc 160-250 10 welding 250-500 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gas Tungsten Less than 50 6 arc welding 50-150 8 150-500 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Air carbon arc (Light) Less than 500 10 cutting (Heavy) 500-1000 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Plasma arc welding Less than 20 6 20-100 8 100-400 10 400-800 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Plasma arc cutting (Light) ** Less than 300 8 (Medium) ** 300-400 9 (Heavy) ** 400-800 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Torch brazing 3 Torch soldering 2 Carbon arc welding 14 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Operation Plate thickness Plate thickness Minimum * (inches) (mm) Protective Shade ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gas Welding: Light Under 1/8 Under 3.2 4 Medium 1/8 - 1/2 3.2-12.7 5 Heavy Over 1/2 Over 12.7 6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxygen Cutting: Light Under 1 Under 25 3 Medium 1-6 25-100 4 Heavy Over 6 Over 100 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- * As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. The go to a lighter shade which gives suficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the (spectrum) operation. ** These values apply where the actual art is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece. Source: 29 CFR 1910.133 Eye and face protection. ========================================================================