Head Protection Head Protection 1910.135. \ Each affected employee shall wear protective helmets when working in areas where there is potential for injury to the head from falling objects. Also, protective helmets shall be designed to reduce electrical shock hazards when employees are working near exposed electrical conductors. Protective helmets purchased shall comply with ANSI Z89.1-2003, "American National Standard for Personnel Protection-Protective Head wear for Industrial Workers-Requirements,"which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated to be equally effective.
Respiratory Protection OSHA 1910.134(a)(1) In the control of those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control measures (for example, enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used pursuant to this section.
Questions involving respiratory protection or any regulations and safety concerns please see our Respiatory FAQ's page.
Also see, OSHA's new Respiratory Protection Standard.
NIOSH issues recommendations for respirator use. Industrial type approvals are in accordance to the NIOSH federal respiratory regulations 42 CFR Part 84. Development of respirator standards are in concert with various partners from government and industry. From the Federal Register, p. 1272, col.1 OSHA 1910.134(d)(3)(iii) (iii) For protection against gases and vapors, the employer shall provide: (A) An atmosphere-supplying respirator, or (B) An air-purifying respirator, provided that: (1) The respirator is equipped with an end-of-service indicator (ESLI) certified by NIOSH for the contaminant; or (2) If there is no ESLI appropriate for conditions in the employer's workplace, the employer implements a change schedule for canisters and cartridges that is based on objective information or data that will ensure that canisters and cartridges are changed before the end of their service life. The employer shall describe in the respirator program the information and data relied upon and the basis for the canister and cartridge change schedule and the basis for reliance on the data.
Eye / Face Protection
Eye and face protection 1910.133. Each affected employee shall use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustics liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. ANSI Z87.1-1989, Practice for Occupational/Educational Eye and Face Protection. Protective eye and face devices purchased after July 5, 1994 shall comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989, "American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection", or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. Additional Information www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyefaceprotection/index.html Use this link to access the OSHA eye and face protection standard on PowerPoint: www.osha.gov/SLTC/pptpresentations/ef.ppt#256,1,eyeandfaceprotection.
Hand Protection
Hand Protection 1910.138. Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employee's hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes. Hand Protection there are no ANSI standards for gloves, however, selection must be based on the performance characteristics of the glove in relation to the tasks to be performed.
Hearing Protection
1910.95 Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the sound levels exceed those shown in Table G-16 when measured on the A scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response. Duration per Day, in Hours
| Duration per Day, in Hours | Sound Level dBA, Slow Response |
|---|---|
| 8 6 4 3 2 1.5 1 .5 .25 or less | 90 92 95 97 100 102 105 110 115 |
TABLE G-16 - PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURES (1)
Footnote(1) When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C(1)/T(1) + C(2)/T(2)C(n)/T(n) exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level. Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.
All hearing protection tested according to ANSI S3.19-1974 standards.
Foot Protection
Foot Protection 1910.136. Each affected employee shall wear protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling and rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards. Protective footwear purchased after July 5, 1994 shall comply with ANSI Z41-1991, "American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear," which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. Additional Technical Information can be found at the following Internet links: Occupational Safety & Health Administration www.osha.gov U.S. Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health www.cdc.gov/niosh U.S. Department of Labor www.dol.gov American National Standards Institute www.ansi.org National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.org