The purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) is to protect researchers, employees, students, and visitors from potential hazards in the work environment.
However, eliminating hazards through engineering or administrative controls provides better and more consistent protection than relying on PPE alone. PPE is best used along with engineering and/or administrative controls and safe work practices.
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) offers guidelines for identifying and selecting personal protective equipment to address the range of hazards and work environments associated with commonly performed indoor and outdoor tasks at the UW.
1. Identify hazards
Select the job, process or procedure you are going to assess. Survey the worksite and identify the hazards the worker will be exposed to while doing the work.
2. Select PPE
If PPE must be used to reduce the risk of exposure to hazards, list the PPE that will be used for each hazard identified.
3. Provide training
Workers who are required to use PPE must be trained before they are required to use it.
HAZARD ASSESSMENT
Conduct a thorough hazard assessment of activities, work processes, and work areas to determine the nature and degree of hazards. Consider the engineering and administrative controls that are in place and relevant regulations.
- The Guidelines for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) addresses hazards and PPE requirements in any University work setting.
- The Laboratory PPE Hazard Assessment Guide is available to help PIs and laboratory managers identify hazards and appropriate PPE.
- The Shop PPE Hazard Assessment Guide is available to help shop supervisors and safety coordinators identify hazards and appropriate PPE.
Document the following:
- Job, process, or activity being assessed
- Hazards identified
- Name and title of person completing the hazard assessment
- Date hazard assessment was completed
Forms for documentation are included in the PPE Hazard Assessment Guides; however, supervisors may use a different method for documentation.
PPE SELECTION
When the hazard assessment indicates that PPE is required, University units/departments must select and provide PPE that properly fits employees.
The Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies Performance Standards and Guidelines assist University units and departments during the procurement process as a guide to select PPE and related supplies that meet minimum performance standards.
Document the following:
- Selection of PPE used for each hazard that was identified
- PPE type, brand, model may need to be specified
- Person(s) or job title identified to use PPE
TRAINING
After the assessment and selection, personnel who are required to use PPE must be trained before they are required to use it. Retraining must be done if PPE requirements change and as needed.
All of the following topics must be covered during training:
- What PPE to use and when to use it
- Limitations of the PPE
- How to put it on, take it off and adjust it
- Inspection and maintenance
- Any manufacturer instructions and warnings
- Make sure the PPE fits well
- How to obtain PPE
- How to dispose of PPE
Document the training, including the names, titles, and training date(s) for all employees required to wear PPE.
Responsibilities
Contractors working at UW-owned or leased properties who are not under the direct supervision of UW personnel are responsible for following their company’s PPE policies and procedures.
UW personnel do not provide PPE or train contractors on the use of PPE.
- Maintaining PPE guidance, including worksite hazard assessment guidance documents and the relevant online content
- Advising PIs, lab managers and supervisors about material and physical hazards in work areas, specific PPE, and engineering and administrative controls
- Answering questions from employees on PPE issues
The PPE user is responsible for following the requirements of the PPE program. This involves:
- Selecting PPE that fits and is comfortable when working
- Inspecting PPE prior to use, replacing gear as appropriate if defective
- Wearing PPE as required
- Attending site-specific PPE training sessions
- Cleaning and maintaining PPE as trained
- Informing the supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE
To determine the appropriate PPE to wear, based on chemical and physical hazards encountered, consult with the PI or lab supervisor and review standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety fact sheets and other hazard information.
PIs and laboratory managers are responsible for assessing all worksites for hazards and identifying the PPE needs for all personnel, students and visitors who may be potentially exposed to the hazards.
Eliminate, substitute or design out exposure to hazards or hazardous operations, if possible. If not possible or feasible, the degree of hazard and engineering or administrative controls in place will determine what PPE is needed. If departments use PPE for hazard protection, the following items must be completed:
- Assess the workplace for hazards.
- Identify how to control the hazards; engineering and administrative controls should be used first and then PPE.
- Select appropriate PPE that fits properly and provide it to employees.
- Ensure PPE is used.
- Establish inspection, maintenance and replacement procedures to ensure damaged PPE is not used.
- Train employees in proper use, limitations, care and maintenance of PPE.
- Document hazard assessment, PPE selection and training.
- If changes occur in the workplace, including procedures or chemical use, reevaluate hazard assessment, PPE needs and training.
- Assess PPE use at least annually; determine improvements as needed
The Laboratory PPE Hazard Assessment Guide is available to assist PIs and laboratory managers to identify hazards and select the appropriate PPE.
When a hazard assessment determines that no PPE is needed, simply document the assessment. However, remember that if a hazard exists that does not require PPE, other regulations or programs requiring the use of PPE may still apply.
Shop supervisors and shop safety coordinators are responsible for assessing worksites for hazards and identifying the PPE needs for all personnel, students and visitors who may be potentially exposed to the hazards.
Eliminate, substitute, or design out exposure to hazards or hazardous operations, if possible. If not possible or feasible, the degree of hazard and engineering or administrative controls in place will determine what PPE is needed. If units/departments use PPE for hazard protection, the following items must be completed:
- Assess the workplace for hazards.
- Identify how to control the hazards; engineering and administrative controls should be used first and then PPE.
- Select appropriate PPE that fits properly and provide it to personnel.
- Ensure PPE is used.
- Establish inspection, maintenance and replacement procedures to ensure damaged PPE is not used.
- Train employees in proper use, limitations, care and maintenance of PPE.
- Document hazard assessment, PPE selection and training.
- If changes occur in the workplace, including procedures or chemical use, reevaluate hazard assessment, PPE needs and training.
- Assess PPE use at least annually; determine improvements as needed
Refer to the Shop PPE Hazard Assessment Guide to identify hazards and select appropriate PPE.
When a hazard assessment determines that no PPE is needed, simply document the assessment. However, remember that if a hazard exists that does not require PPE, other regulations or programs requiring the use of PPE may still apply.
What you can do to stay safe
- Wear PPE as required
- Ask PI, manager or supervisor for help or training if unsure about any PPE
- Contact EH&S for advice or information
- Monitor PPE use
- Resolve issues if employees are not wearing PPE
- Identify any new hazards or processes, or changes to existing processes, that need evaluation for new controls and/or PPE
- Contact EH&S for advice or information
Emergency response and reporting
If an exposure to hazardous materials occurs, follow the procedures in the Exposure Response Poster.
UW personnel are required to submit an incident report to Environmental Health & Safety for any work-related event that results in an injury, illness, exposure to hazardous materials, or fire, regardless of the work location.
UW personnel are highly encouraged to submit work-related near-miss events. Visit the Incident Reporting page for more information.
Services available
EH&S provides the following services:
- Advice in use of the hazard assessment guidelines
- Advice on specific PPE
- Identify engineering and administrative controls
If you need assistance in identifying engineering or administrative controls or in selecting PPE for a hazard or activity, contact EH&S at 206.543.7388.
More Information
The PPE program applies to all University organizational units at all locations including the Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma Campuses; UW Medical Centers, University owned property; University leased space; and temporary field locations under the control of University operations staff.
The PPE program covers hazard protection for the eyes, face, head, hands, feet, whole body, and drowning. PPE for respiratory, hearing, elevated work, electrical, and welding are covered by other programs, but shall be documented in the PPE hazard assessment.
-
UW Administrative Policy Statement 10.4, Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing
-
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) in Washington Administrative Code:
-
Consensus Standards:*
-
ANSI Z87.1-2015 American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Education Eye and Face Protection
-
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection
-
ASTM F-2412-2011 Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection
-
ASTM F-2413-2011 Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear
-
-
United States Coast Guard-approved Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs)
*ANSI - American National Standards Institute, ISEA - Industrial Safety Equipment Association, ASTM - American Society for Testing Materials
Frequently asked questions
Refer to the article Select the Correct PPE to Protect against Eye Hazards for information on selecting safety glasses or goggles.
Eyeglasses are never a substitute for safety glasses or safety goggles. There are plenty of eye protection options that fit well over your prescription eyeglasses.
EH&S recommends that eye protection always be worn when working in the laboratory, and especially when working with chemicals. Prescription safety glasses are available from optical stores.
- Do not use regular glasses as safety glasses; they are not strong enough.
- Wear safety glasses that fit over regular glasses.
- Avoid use of contact lenses in the laboratory. If you wear contact lenses, notify the PI or laboratory supervisor and always wear chemical splash goggles or a face shield.
While it's fine to wear shorts, skirts, sandals or flip flops outside, wearing these items in the lab can expose you to hazards. Proper lab attire ensures your skin is covered and protected.
- Choose shoes that cover the entire foot and heel.
- Your clothing should completely cover your legs and torso.
Even if you aren't working with hazardous materials that day, your coworker might be, so always dress to protect yourself. We recommend keeping an appropriate change of clothes and shoes in the lab so you are never without the right gear.
Guidance for using face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is available on the Face Covering Policy page.
In general, the minimum PPE that should be worn while performing laboratory work is the following:
- Safety glasses
- Disposable nitrile or other appropriate chemical resistant gloves
- Lab coat (full length) and long pants, long skirt or equivalent leg covering (no shorts)
- Laboratory footwear (as described below)
Chemical-Resistant Gloves. Chemical-resistant gloves must be selected based on the specific chemical(s) used and manufacturer’s glove permeation and compatibility charts. Guidance is available in the UW Laboratory Safety Manual.
Laboratory Footwear. Laboratory footwear should fully cover the feet to protect against chemical spills. Avoid sandals, flip flops, flats, canvas/breathable fabric tops and shoes constructed of mesh (such as athletic shoes) unless impervious chemical-resistant booties that protect the entire foot are worn over them.
Respiratory protection may also be required. If respiratory protection is identified as a necessary control during the hazard assessment, users must be enrolled in the UW Respiratory Protection Program.
Refer to the Laboratory PPE Hazard Assessment Guide for more information.
Use the Shop PPE Hazard Assessment Guide to identify tasks that expose users to hazards to identify the required PPE.
Definitions
Changing how or when workers do their jobs, such as scheduling work and rotating workers to reduce exposures
Using controls such as chemical fume hoods to work with chemicals, installing physical barriers to control a mechanical hazard, and/or physically changing a machine or work environment
Includes equipment such as safety glasses, goggles, face shields, gloves, hard hats, safety shoes, respirators and hearing protectors
Training workers how to perform tasks in ways that reduce their exposure to workplace hazards