Personal Protective Equipment and Fire Protection
When PPE is required on a construction site and how the hazard analysis decides it, and how fires are classified, detected, fought and planned for through construction.
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3.1 Personal Protective Equipment
Thousands of workers are killed or injured in construction each year because of poor safety measures. OSHA requires employers to protect workers through engineering and work practice controls. Where these are not feasible, personal protective equipment is required.
PPE must be provided when:
- hazards exist or are likely to be present at work
- workers might come into contact with hazardous chemicals, radiation or mechanical irritants
- the employer cannot remove the hazard by engineering, work practice or administrative controls
Hazard analysis
The employer must look at the work environment and at how workers do their tasks, to find potential hazards. Sources of injury include:
- objects that might fall from above
- exposed pipes or beams at the working level
- exposed liquid chemicals
- sources of heat, intense light, noise or dust
The analysis decides which PPE is needed, and the employer must train workers to use it, and replace it when it is damaged.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Contaminant | Any material that is likely to cause physical harm by acting on, in or to a person. |
| dBA | Decibels measured on the A scale, adjusted to how the human ear responds. |
| Radiant energy | Energy that travels outward in all directions from its source. |
Typical PPE on a construction site
| Hazard | PPE |
|---|---|
| Falling or flying objects | Hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, face shield |
| Heavy objects on feet, sharp objects, wet surfaces | Safety boots with toe and sole protection |
| Noise | Ear plugs or muffs when the level reaches the action level of 85 dBA over eight hours |
| Dust, fumes and vapours | Respirators, with a respiratory protection program |
| Chemical splashes | Gloves, goggles, face shields and protective clothing |
| Welding light and sparks | Shaded welding helmets and flame resistant clothing |
| Falls from height | Personal fall arrest system: full body harness, lanyard or lifeline and a secure anchor |
| Traffic | High visibility clothing |
A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.