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Safety Update: Personal Protective Equipment Part 2

The use of Personal Protective Equipment is legislated in Part 18 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code of Alberta. The responsibilities are outlined as follows: If the hazard assessment indicates the need for personal protective equipment, an employer must ensure that:

• workers wear personal protective equipment that is correct for the hazard and protects workers,
• workers properly use and wear the personal protective equipment,
• the personal protective equipment is in a condition to perform the function for which it was designed, and
• workers are trained in the correct use, care, limitations and assigned maintenance of the personal protective equipment.

A worker must:

• use and wear properly the appropriate personal protective equipment specified in this Code in accordance with the training and instruction received,
• inspect the personal protective equipment before using it, and
• not use personal protective equipment that is unable to perform the function for which it is designed.

Compliance with the PPE standard is mostly dependent on a worker's knowledge of the use, care, maintenance, storage and even comfort of all types of PPE from respirators to hard hats. If an employee is not properly trained on the requirements set forth for them to perform their duties, they will be unaware of the potential life altering consequences that may result if they are not protected from the hazard. The employer has a legal and moral obligation to ensure:

• all personnel know what hazards require PPE,
• employees are trained how to protect themselves from those hazards,
• the necessary and appropriate PPE is provided for each employee,
• employees are using the equipment,
• employees are trained on how to inspect and care for PPE,
• equipment is maintained in a sanitary and serviceable condition; and
• continually review the work processes to guarantee that PPE purchased adequately protects the worker and is comfortable enough to encourage its use.

PPE should not only be used as a last resort when hazards cannot be engineered out, but as a first line of defense to avert an undesirable outcome.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER
eCompliance provides information about topical OH&S issues to assist existing and potential customers to cope with their own OH&S needs. It is not intended to be legal information or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.