Standard Procedure and Guidance for
Use of Personal Protective Equipment
Reference:
SPG – 16 - 09
Effective Date:
01/08/2015
Review by:
31/12/2017
Author:
Dr Teresa Knapp
Signature
Version
Date
Reason for Change
2
30/07/15
Reformat, remove information not required
by Life Sciences and update
Addition of information on choice of gloves
Date
30/07/15
1.0 Purpose
This guidance document has been prepared to provide managers, supervisors,
employees, students and visitors with sufficient knowledge to comply with The
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.
2.0 Introduction
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is defined in the Regulations as all equipment
which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against
one or more risks to his health or safety. This includes protective clothing (e.g.
laboratory coats, overalls, weatherproof clothing, gloves, safety footwear) as well as
equipment such as protective eyewear, high vis clothing and safety harnesses.
The need for the provision of personal protective clothing will be determined by risk
assessment. Normally, a risk will be avoided by other methods eg by use of fume
cabinets. The use of PPE must be considered as a last resort for the control of risks, to
be used only after all other practicable measures have been taken. Where this is the
case the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended)
require that employers provide, free of charge, appropriate PPE.
It should be remembered that PPE only protects the wearer and no one else in the
workplace; and that PPE gives maximum protection only if correctly chosen, fitted and
used. For high-risk situations, or complex PPE requirements, the assessment should
be in writing and should be reviewed if the work situation changes significantly.
SPG Use of PPE
SPG16-09
Version 2
Date 30/07/2015
Page 1 of 5
3.0 Responsibilities
Line managers and supervisors are responsible for:
identifying hazards associated with work activities undertaken by staff and
students
carrying out risk assessments to eliminate any hazards, or where this is not
possible, controlling these hazards
providing any PPE identified as being necessary.
ensuring that PPE is used as instructed, is maintained in good condition and
is replaced when damaged.
Risk assessments must also identify any others who may be harmed by the activity and
who may need protection (for example, but not limited to, other facility users, visitors,
maintenance staff).
Employees or students who are provided with PPE must wear it when engaged in any
process where it is required. PPE must be worn in accordance with the information,
instruction and training received from their line manager or supervisor. Users issued
with PPE should ensure it stays in good condition, and where appropriate maintained
and stored in a safe, clean location after use. Users should report any loss or obvious
defect in their PPE to their line manager, supervisor or representative.
4.0 Assessments to identify suitable Personal Protective Equipment
When carrying out an assessment to identify the right type of PPE for the different
hazards in the workplace. The following factors should be considered when assessing
the suitability of PPE:
is it appropriate for the risks involved and the conditions at the place where
exposure to risk may occur? For example, eye protection design for providing
protection against chemicals will not offer adequate face protection for
someone using an angle grinder to cut steel or stone.
Does it prevent or adequately control the risks involved without increasing the
overall level of risk?
Can it be adjusted to fit the wearer correctly?
Has the state of health of those who will be wearing it been taken into
account?
What are the needs of the job and demands it places on the wearer? For
example the length of time the PPE needs to be worn, the physical effort
required to do the job, and the requirements for visibility and communication.
If more than one item of PPE is being worn, are they compatible? For
example, does the use of a particular type of respirator make it difficult to get
eye protection to fit properly?
SPG Use of PPE
SPG16-09
Version 2
Date 30/07/2015
Page 2 of 5
Have persons having to wear PPE been consulted and involved in the
selection and specification of the equipment.
In making these assessments the following are some of the risks which may need to
be considered:
falls from a height,
being hit or crushed by falling or moving objects,
risk of cuts or puncture wounds,
vibration ('white finger'),
slips and falls on a level,
heat, low temperature,
non ionising radiation, e.g. lasers,
electricity,
immersion, drowning,
noise,
fumes, dusts, vapours, gases,
splashes, especially chemicals, hot metals,
biologically hazardous materials, e.g. pathogens
For each hazard identified, the risk must be considered and attention given to
identifying which of the following parts of the body may require suitable protective
equipment:
eyes, ears, lungs, nose, mouth, face,
whole head, including skull, chest, abdomen
hands, arms, feet, legs,
skin,
5.0 Training
When PPE is needed and provided there is a requirement to instruct, train and supervise
its use. Users must also be trained how to clean and maintain their equipment and to
recognise defects. Users must also be made aware of the limitations of the PPE, e.g.
nitrile gloves have different protective properties against chemical exposure.
Because PPE is a last resort after other methods of protection have been considered, it
is important that users wear it all the time they are exposed to the risk. Safety signs and
adequate supervision should be used as useful reminders to wear PPE.
6.0 Maintenance
Equipment needs to be well looked after and be properly stored when not in use, for
example stored in a dry clean cupboard or in the case of smaller items such as eye
protection in a box or case.
Where appropriate records of any tests and examinations should be kept
SPG Use of PPE
SPG16-09
Version 2
Date 30/07/2015
Page 3 of 5
7.0 Selection of the correct glove
For most chemical work, nitrile gloves will offer good protection, however some
chemicals can quickly penetrate or damage a nitrile glove. So it very important to check
the manufacturer’s chemical resistance data charts. A minimum thickness of 0.13mm
for the finger and 0.11mm for the palm is recommended for work with hazardous
chemicals
Vinyl (PVC) gloves are usually adequate to protect against grime, or where you are
using gloves to protect the material you are handling e.g. clean room work or food
handling.
Because of the risks of allergy with latex gloves, their use must be avoided wherever
possible. They should only be used where they provide a distinct advantage over
alternative gloving material for the task and following risk assessment justifying their
use.
There are four factors to consider when deciding which glove is suitable for your work
1.
The nature of the hazard (chemical, infectious substance etc.) - no single glove
material can protect against all chemicals, each is liable to degradation or permeation
(expressed as breakthrough time)
2.
The task - consider the nature of exposure either incidental or intentional,
dexterity requirements, cuff length to ensure complete protection to the arm/wrist, grip
requirements and risk of cut or abrasions
3.
The user (size and fit, state of health, etc.) - Hand size, skin condition, latex
allergy
4 The workplace conditions (ergonomics, temperature, wet or dry, etc.)
Protection against blood borne viruses
The term micro-organism resistant in EN 374 applies to fungi and bacteria but not to
viruses, therefore, following risk assessment, it may be advisable to use a glove that
has passed the viral penetration test ASTM F1671 for direct and intentional contact with
material at hazard group 2 and above. This is a standard test method for evaluating
resistance of materials to penetration by blood borne pathogens using Phi-X174 phage
which is non-hazardous and significantly smaller that most virus, including Herpes, HIV,
Hepatitis and Polio.
The table below summarises the main features for single use disposable gloves
SPG Use of PPE
SPG16-09
Version 2
Date 30/07/2015
Page 4 of 5
Table 1 Summary of main features of materials for single use, disposable gloves Chemical resistance for incidental exposure
Material
Tensile strength
Elasticity
Durability
Fit & Comfort
Good for
Nitrile
Excellent strength
and puncture
resistance
Medium to high,
conforms to users
hand with use.
Highly resistant to
punctures. Tears and
breaks clearly visible
and quickly spreads. In
use fail rates 1 to 3%
Good to excellent –
conforms to hand.
Sometimes feels
stiff – depends on
manufacturer.
Neoprene
Excellent strength
properties
Generally higher
elasticity than nitrile
and closer to latex.
Fair puncture
resistance
Good though has
high stiffness
Latex
Excellent
High level of memory,
elasticity and
elongation
Highly resistant to tears
and punctures. Hard to
detect puncture holes.
In use failure rates
reported to be 0% to
9%
Excellent –
conforms to hand
Vinyl
Limited strength
Low to medium with
moderate flexibility.
In use fail rates of 26 –
61% in long term
/rigorous use.
Fair – not as good
as nitrile/latex
More information and help to choose the right glove can be found
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/internal/servicesandsupport/healthandsafety/ppe
SPG Use of PPE
SPG16-09
Version 2
Date 30/07/2015
Page 5 of 5
Good protection against
a broad range of
chemicals including
alkalis, fuels, many
solvents, greases,
animal fats etc.
Resistant to many
chemicals including oils,
acids and large range of
solvents.
Fair protection with water
based chemicals, alkalis
and alcohols.
Generally poor but some
protection against
petroleum based
produces.
OK for low soiling, low
hazard chemicals or food
hygiene applications.
Not recommended
for
ketones, aromatics
and chlorinated
solvents
Organics solvents
Organic chemicals
and greases.
Can cause latex
allergy – requires
written risk
assessment justifying
use
Can release
phthalates on contact
with some chemicals
which may damage
DNA
8.0 Other Relevant Regulations
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 do not apply where PPE
is provided under six sets of existing Regulations. These Regulations already require
the use of some types of PPE to protect against certain risks for example the Noise at
Work Regulations require the use of hearing protection when necessary. The six sets of
Regulations are:
The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002
The COSHH Regulations 2002
The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
The Noise at Work Regulations 1989
SPG Use of PPE
SPG16-09
Version 2
Date 30/07/2015
Page 6 of 5