Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Selection, Use, and Maintenance

Title:	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Selection, Use, and Maintenance
Publication date:	6/24/2020
Effective date:	6/24/2020

BRIEF

Policy Summary

The Personal Protective Equipment Program at Berkeley Lab ensures that personnel working in technical areas such as shops, laboratories, equipment rooms, and construction sites wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and that PPE is properly used, maintained, and stored.

Who Should Read This Policy

Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors performing work that may include the use of PPE

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab of this wiki page

To Read the EHS Program Details, Go To:

ES&H Manual Chapter 19

Contact Information

EHS Subject Matter Expert for PPE
EHS Division

Title:	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Selection, Use, and Maintenance
Publication date:	6/24/2020
Effective date:	6/24/2020

POLICY

A. Purpose

The Personal Protective Equipment Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) ensures that personnel working in technical areas such as shops, laboratories, equipment rooms, and construction sites wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and that PPE is properly used, maintained, and stored. Division line management must provide PPE and ensure it is used, maintained, and stored properly. Task-specific PPE requirements are described in other EHS programs.

B. Persons Affected

Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors performing work that may include the use of PPE

C. Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the EHS Division Director using the process described in the Guidelines for Exceptions to Policy on Personal Protective Equipment and Food in Technical Areas.

D. Policy Statement

Work at Berkeley Lab must be assessed for the types of PPE (if any) required. However, minimum PPE requirements have been established for technical work areas, including but not limited to laboratories, shops, construction sites, and locations where hazardous chemicals are used or stored. Door placards posted on technical areas indicate the specific PPE requirements. (Work Process B, General PPE Requirements)
PPE used at Berkeley Lab must meet the minimum California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requirements as prescribed in 8 CCR GISO, subchapter 7, 3380-3400 and 8 CCR CSO, subchapter 4 (for construction work)
Appropriate PPE use and qualification (required training) are determined by the authorization to perform work. The specific authorization depends on the type of work being performed but may include the Work Planning and Control Activities, Biological Use Authorization (BUA), Radiological Work Authorization (RWA), etc. (Work Process D, Authorization and Qualification to Use PPE)
Personnel must be trained in the use, limitations, maintenance, and storage of PPE. (Work Process D, Authorization and Qualification to Use PPE)
Specific PPE requirements can be found In Work Process E, Program-Specific PPE Requirements, for the following areas:

1. Chemical Safety
2. Machine Safeguarding – Shop and Laboratory Machine Safety
3. Construction Safety – Electrical Safety
4. Laser Safety
5. Fall Protection
6. Welding, Joining, and Thermal Cutting
7. Respiratory Protection
8. Hearing Protection
9. Asbestos
10. Lead
11. Beryllium

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

Role	Responsibility
Line Management	Ensures personnel know how to use the required PPE for the work area, and specific requirements for the work being performed Ensures personnel know the limitations of, and how to properly use, maintain, and store PPE Enforces the proper use, maintenance, and storage of PPE
Workers	Know the PPE requirements for the work area, and specific requirements for the work being performed Must be appropriately trained, and demonstrate safe use, maintenance, and storage of PPE Must observe all established safety regulations related to PPE
EHS Division Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)	Provide guidance on (and establishes training requirements for) the limitations of PPE, and its proper use, maintenance, and storage Provide technical assurance for the PPE program

F. Definitions/Acronyms

Term	Definition
PPE	Personal protective equipment worn by workers to provide a minimum level of protection to a specific body part
Head Protection	Protective helmet worn when working in areas where there is a potential injury to the head from falling objects, and/or electrical shock
Face Protection	Protective face cover worn when working in areas where there is a potential injury to the face from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation
Eye Protection	Protective eyewear that provides side protection when working in areas where there is a potential injury to the eyes from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation
Foot Protection	Protective footwear worn when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards or chemical spills
Hand Protection	Protective gloves worn when working in areas where there is a danger of hand injuries due to sharp edges; rough, hot, or cold surfaces; and exposures to electrical or chemical hazards
Skin Protection	Protective clothing worn when working in areas where chemical or radioactive material could contact the skin or contaminate street clothing
Technical Area	Laboratories – where chemicals or biological materials are stored or handled Shops or other process areas – where potential eye, face, skin, hand, foot, head, hearing, and/or respiratory hazards exist

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

Training Records, EHS Training Department
Medical qualification (as required) from Health Services
Program Effectiveness Review and Assurance, EHS Division

H. Implementing Documents

Document Number	PUB-3000 Reference	Title	Type
07.07.024.001	Chapter 19	Personal Protective Equipment	Program
07.07.024.002	Chapter 19, Work Process A	PPE Flowchart	Procedure
07.07.024.003	Chapter 19, Work Process B	General PPE Requirements	Procedure
07.07.024.004	Chapter 19, Work Process C	Procurement of PPE	Procedure
07.07.024.005	Chapter 19, Work Process D	Authorization and Qualification to Use PPE	Procedure
07.07.024.006	Chapter 19, Work Process E	Program-Specific PPE Requirements	Procedure

I. Contact Information