Personal protective equipment (PPE) can protect you against chemical and physical hazard exposure. It is important to be aware of the hazardous materials you work with or which you may come into contact with, as well as hazardous equipment and environments. Evaluate the scale and any deviation from your procedures, as this may influence a change in the protection required.
PPE includes eye protection, gloves, maximum skin coverage and closed toe shoes. In some cases protection such as aprons, respirators, splash shields, ear plugs and specialized gloves may be recommended or required.
If you think you need respiratory protection, you must contact EHS. Wearing respirators, including N95s, requires medical evaluation at UVA before you may use the respirator. There are several steps to complete in order to be compliant with the respirator protection program, contact EHS and we will help you through the process and train you in how to maintain and properly use your respirator.
If you have any PPE questions or would like to discuss PPE options for your particular situation contact EHS for assistance. We are here to help you pick the best PPE for your particular situation and to train you to properly use and maintain your PPE.
UVA Programs
Complementary (recommended) Training Modules
These modules are beneficial for general audiences and complementary to the PPE Program. Guidelines are provided on how to perform a hazard assessment of the work environment and process to determine if hazards to the body can be eliminated and if not, how to choose appropriate personal safety equipment to prevent injury to affected parts of the body.
PPE - Eye Protection Training (log-in) is recommended for persons who utilize areas where there is the potential for exposure or injury due to chemical or physical hazards. Training includes guidance on how to choose the appropriate eye protection for your application.
PPE - Glove Selection Training (log-in) is recommended for persons who utilize laboratory, studio and/or shop spaces where there is the potential for hand injuries due to chemical and/or physical hazards. Training includes guidance on how to choose the appropriate glove for your application, and best practices when using gloves.
PPE - Physical Hazards Training (log-in) is recommended for persons who utilize laboratory, studio and/or shop spaces where there is the potential for injury due to physical hazards. Training provides an awareness of various physical hazards, safe work practices, and preventative measures to mitigate the risk of injury.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did you know that 60% of workers who suffered eye injuries were not wearing eye protection?
Answer: 60% of workers who suffered eye injuries were not wearing any eye protection and only 1% of 770 workers suffering face injuries were wearing face protection. Hard hats were worn by only 16% of those workers sustaining head injuries.
Who is responsible to identify workplace hazards and provide appropriate PPE to employees?
Answer: The employer, UVA Managers and Supervisors.
Federal Law (OSHA) makes UVA Managers and Supervisors responsible to identify potential workplace hazards. Ideally we want to eliminate hazards or reduce the risk of injury by providing appropriate PPE to protect employees. Workplace hazard evaluations must be documented and dated by the person(s) performing the evaluation.
Identifying potential workplace hazards can be done with the assistance of EHS.
If I find hazards that cannot be controlled or eliminated and I must provide PPE to my employees, what are my responsibilities?
- Employers (supervisors, lab managers, PIs) must determine the need and appropriate selection of PPE. This is required when hazards cannot be sufficiently controlled or eliminated altogether.
- Perform a PPE Hazard Assessment and contact EHS if you require assistance.
- Provide PPE that is ANSI (American National Standards Institute) certified and that will prevent or significantly reduce injuries. PPE must be correctly fitted to ensure protection.
- Employees must be trained to understand hazards that may require PPE including: how to wear, inspect, care for and store their assigned PPE.