Program Summary

Applies to:

Environmental, Health and Safety developed this program to help departments protect employees from exposure to workplace hazards and to facilitate university compliance with state and federal safety-related regulatory requirements. Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects employees from the risks of injury by creating a barrier against workplace hazards. PPE must be used when the eyes, face, hands, extremities, or other parts of the body are exposed to workplace hazards that cannot be controlled by other means. PPE is not a substitute for good engineering controls, administrative controls, or good work practices, but should be used in conjunction with those controls to ensure the safety and health of employees. The use of PPE does not eliminate the hazard, and if the PPE fails, or is used improperly, exposure to the hazard may occur.

Requirements:

Departments must designate a responsible person(s) to coordinate the requirements of this program at their worksites. These PPE Coordinators will perform a hazard assessment of work areas and/or employee job duties to determine hazard exposures. Based on the hazard assessment, PPE Coordinators will select appropriate personal protective equipment and ensure that employees are properly trained in its proper use, maintenance, and limitations.