Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/948000
WEEKLY EDITION FEB 28, 2018 PPE: What to Do When the Team Says 'Nope'…continued By PSAI Executive Director Karleen Kos Employers are not required to pay for some PPE in certain circumstances: • Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (including steel-toe shoes or boots) and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear provided that the employer permits such items to be worn off the job site. (OSHA based this decision on the fact that this type of equipment is very personal, is often used outside the workplace, and that it is taken by workers from jobsite to jobsite and employer to employer.) • Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots. • Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen • Items such as hair nets and gloves worn by food workers for consumer safety. • Lifting belts because their value in protecting the back is questionable. • When the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE and it must be replaced. Provide training The OSHA training requirements at 29 CFR 1910.132(f)- -Training include specific provisions for both the employer and the employee. These include the following: • The employer must provide training to each employee who is required to use PPE. • The employer must train these employees to know when PPE is necessary and what PPE is necessary. • The employer must verify that affected employees received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of training, and the subject of the certification. Make sure employees know that PPE does not eliminate a hazard. If the equipment fails, they will be exposed to hazards. To reduce the possibility of failure, equipment must be properly fitted and maintained in a clean and serviceable condition. During training, describe your company's hazard assessment. Match your presentation with the needs of the group (the level of detail will be greater if the group has continual exposure to extensive hazards than if it has occasional exposure). Provide detail on the hazards in the facility and what kind of PPE employees need to protect themselves. Tell employees exactly what hazards they may face, and review company experience with each hazard they encounter. Perhaps you have an unfortunate (or extremely fortunate) story that you can share, whether at your company or at another. The goal is to make them understand the need for PPE and recognize the control they have over their own safety. Do you have ideas on how to address employee refusal to wear PPE? Let us know about them via email at karleenk@psai.org. PAGE 7