Search

Why Common Sense Won’t Help with PPE

Posted on 6/13/2017 by Roger Marks

Safety managers in every industry share one goal: to send workers home safe at the end of the day—every day.

In workplaces nationwide, employees perform jobs every day that put them in danger. When these job hazards can’t be substituted, mitigated, or eliminated completely, the last line of defense is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).


Trust “Common Sense” at Your Own Risk

Selecting and using personal protective equipment may seem like “common sense,” but safety professionals know that when it comes to safety, common sense isn’t so common.

To avoid on-the-job injuries that cost US businesses billions every month, employees must know not only when they need PPE, but how to make sure it fits, how to use it, how to care for it, and its limitations.

That’s why OSHA requires training for EVERY employee who’s required to wear PPE as part of the job. [29 CFR 1910.132(f)]


Gloves—What Could Be Simpler?

Something as simple as putting on gloves raises safety questions that go far beyond what “common sense” would dictate.

gloves2.jpgEmployees must choose the right gloves—do they need chemical-resistant material? Do their hands need protection from machinery, from puncture hazards, or from biohazards from medical sharps? Do they need protection from extreme heat or cold? How far up the arm should the gloves go for this particular job? 

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) gloves are water soluble, which means they are not suitable for jobs that involve water or certain alcohols. If an employee puts on PVA gloves for a wet job, they won’t offer much protection. If these gloves are rinsed with water to “wash” them, they will be damaged beyond repair.

The same goes for other forms of PPE—from simple items like helmets and boots to half-face and full-face respirators, face shields, safety glasses and goggles, and much more. To protect themselves and their co-workers from injuries and lost time, employees need more than “common sense.” They need all the information they can get about how to select, use, and care for the PPE that protects them every day.


New! Convenient, Effective PPE Online Course—Only $29  

Be confident your employees know how to assess hazards at work and select the right PPE for every dangerous job. This 60-minute online course covers what employees need to know to stay protected from head to toe. This online course will satisfy OSHA’s PPE training requirement for employees at 29 CFR 1910.132(f). Plus, your employees will get 3 months of Lion Membership for fast answers to their questions, access to exclusive safety resources, and more. Learn more or sign up now at Lion.com.
 

Tags: osha, PPE, workplace safety

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.