SAFETY TRAINING TALK

personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a general term referring to any equipment that is worn by a worker, in order to protect them from injury (I.e. safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, gloves, etc.). PPE required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), any regulations, or your employer must be worn.

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Identify the hazards in the workplace.
• Put up signs where PPE is required.
• Make sure employees always use the necessary PPE, and that it is used properly.
• Train employees on how to use the right equipment, materials, and PPE.
• All PPE is maintained in good working condition.
• All PPE and procedures for their use follow the requirements set out in the OHSA.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Use or wear all the PPE specified on equipment, products, or material safety data sheets; that are required by your employer, the OHSA, or any regulation.
• Inspect your PPE before each use to make sure it is in good condition.
• Be sure to follow the instructions on how to use your PPE correctly.
• Tell your supervisor about any broken, worn, or missing PPE.
• Ask your supervisor which PPE to use for job if you are unsure.

EYE PROTECTION
Eye protextion is needed when:
• Using a mower, trimmer, and blower
• Sawing
• Sunlight
• Dusty environments
• Chemical gases, vapours or liquids
• Swinging chains or ropes
• Harmful light
• Any other situation that may cause an eye injury.

TYPES OF EYE PROTECTION
• Safety glasses
• Safety goggles
• Face shields
• Helmets

All types of eye protection should meet the standards set out by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

HEARING PROTECTION
Hearing protection must be worn when working in a workplace with loud noises which could compromise your hearing. There are many types of hearing protection, you must choose the right one for the situation.

TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION
• Rolldown Foam Ear Plugs | Good for regular use, spongy, soft compressed, expandable, fit snug, disposable, standard to loud noises.
• Premolded Plugs | Good for regular use, soft flexible, standard to loud noises
• Earmuffs | Adjustable headband, soft cups, cushion around ear, standard to extreme noises

THE DECIBELS (dB) OF HEARING PROTECTION
Loud noises over time will gradually affect your hearing permanently. To prevent this ear protection must be worn. Constant exposure to 85 dB or higher can have long-term damage.

• Quiet Office | 40 dB
• Normal conversation | 50-60 dB
• Diesel Trucks | 95 dB
• Power Tools | 100 dB
• Leaf blower, String trimmer and/or Commercial Mower | 110 dB

RESPITORY PROTECTION
Respiratory protection must be worn when working in a workplace with air pollutants. These could consist of fume or particle substances. Long-term repercussions of not wearing the proper PPE could include cancers or even respiratory damage. Below are some common carcinogens you could be exposed to as well as some conditions that could occur if the proper PPE is not worn. Note, these are just a few samples of carcinogens and conditions.

ALARMING CARCINOGENS
• Diesel and gas engine exhaust
• Crystalline silica (found in soil, sand, concrete, brick, mortar, stone, etc…)
• Chemical fumes

ALARMING CONDITIONS DUE TO HIGH EXPOSURE OF CARCINOGENS
• Asthma
• Materials, hazards, and risks that expose workers to injuries from dust, mist, vapour, or fume from: aluminum dust, asbestos, brake dust, designated substances(isocyanates and silica), buffing, grinding, pollution and fumes, sand blasting, sanding, smoking and second hand smoke, solvents, sprays, spraying paint, vehicle exhaust, welding fumes.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Long term breathing problems and poor airflow, will worsen over time
• Other terms: chronic bronchitis, emphysema
• Causes/irritants: Buffing, sanding, sand blasting, sprays, welding, airborne dust, tobacco, smoking, genetics, air pollution

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS
• Dust respirator | Two straps, protects lungs from most dusts, mists, pollen, and certain low toxicity pesticides, as specified on the label.
• Dual cartridge respirator | Handle a long list of contaminates, mostly for chemical uses.

HEAD PROTECTION
Hard hats must be worn for protection when there is a hazard of head injury.

SITUATIONS THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY MAY BE WHEN WORKING:
• Below other workers or machinery
• Around or under conveyor belts
• Around exposed energized conductors
• Where there may be overhead obstructions

HAND AND FINGER PROTECTION
Gloves can protect hands and forearms from cuts, abrasions, burns, puncture wounds, contact with hazardous chemicals, and some electrical shocks. Not every job requires gloves – never wear gloves working with or around reciprocating or rotating machine parts.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROTECTION
Glove Type Level of Protection
• Metal Mesh and Kevlar Knit | Prevents cuts from sharp objects.
• Leather | Protects against rough objects, chips, sparks, moderate heat.
• Cotton | Protects against dirt, splinters and abrasions – improves grip.
• Rubber, Neoprene, Vinyl, Nitrile | Protects from chemicals. Read specifications on SDS or chemical package for proper use.

FOOT PROTECTION
When there is danger of slipping, wear slip-resistant safety shoes or boots, depending on the requirements of the environment and type of work. Always wear safety boots when there is danger of falling objects or stepping on sharp objects. Wear the correct type of safety footwear for the job. J.W. Bastian Contracting requires steel toed shoes/boots at all times.

WRAP UP: THINGS TO CONSIDER

POINTS TO CONSIDER
Clothing and Personal Measures for Protection to reduce the risk of entanglement:
• Keep long hair tied back or tucked under a hat
• Keep zippers and buttons done up
• Make sure clothing fits close to the body
• Eliminate drawstrings and other dangling pieces from clothing
• Remove hanging threads and fix tears in clothing to prevent entanglement
• Remove jewellery

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT…
 • Employers are responsible for safety procedures and PPE maintenance.
• Employees are responsible to carry out work in a safe manner while wearing the correct PPE.
• Eye and Ear protection are necessary for grass cutting, make sure you are equipped with the proper PPE for the job.
• Use respiratory protection when dealing with dust and fumes.
• Gloves reduce hand injuries, make sure you use the correct type.
• Steel toed shoes/boots are mandatory.

I read it. I get it.

Safety begins with you. By submitting your name you confirm that you have read, understood and will abide by this safety talk to make your workplace the safest it can be.

If at any point you fill unsafe or something requires immediate attention please call or text Josh at 613-875-3986.