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Environmental Health & Safety

Personal Protective Equipment

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Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace or laboratory hazards. Personal protective equipment is often crucial, but it typically serves as the final layer of protection after implementing engineering and administrative controls.

A Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment is an evaluation of a specific work area to identify the physical and health hazards individuals are exposed to and the type of PPE needed to protect themselves. Examples of physical hazards including moving objects, fluctuating temperatures, high intensity lighting, rolling or pinching objects, electrical connections, and sharp edges. Examples of health hazards include overexposure to harmful chemicals, dusts, or radiation. University departments should conduct these assessments to identify the appropriate PPE for work areas or tasks.

All personal protective equipment clothing and equipment must be of safe design and construction, and maintained properly. PPE includes a variety of devices, garments, and equipment, such as:

  • face shields
  • safety glasses
  • hard hats
  • safety shoes and foot guards
  • goggles
  • coveralls, vests, laboratory coats, jackets, aprons
  • gloves
  • earplugs and earmuffs
  • respirators

Employers are required to train each employee who must use personal protective equipment. Employees must be trained to know at least the following:

  • When PPE is necessary.
  • What PPE is necessary.
  • How to properly put on, take off, adjust, and wear the PPE.
  • The limitations of the PPE. 
  • Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE.

Changes in the workplace or laboratory, the type of in the type of PPE required, or inadequacies in an impacted employee's knowledge or use of PPE, may require additional training or retraining. Questions concerning the hazard assessment, determination and selection of PPE, or training should be directed to Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator or the Hazardous Material Safety Manager. 

Resources & Forms
PPE Hazard Assessment SOP - Template
OSHA - Personal Protective Equipment
American National Standards Institute: Eye and Face Protection and Head Protection


Training

Assignments of these courses are overseen by the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinator. For further training information, contact the EHS Coordinator at 817-257-7220 or safety@tcu.edu.  

Personal Protective Equipment - PPE-1.2
This online course informs learners how to identify common types of PPE and their uses, as well as OSHA's requirements for PPE. Individuals will also be informed on the employee and employer responsibilities for selecting, using, and maintaining PPE.  

Personal Protective Equipment: Eyes, Ears, and Lungs - SNP-47.2
This online course addresses identification of methods of protection for your eyes, ears, and lungs.