Engineering controls and work practices are the first step in eliminating or minimizing workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment (PPE) provides added individual protection even when a hazard is being controlled by other means. PPE includes all clothing and accessories designed to protect against safety and health hazards.
PPE doesn't eliminate the hazard. If the equipment fails or is improperly used, exposure can occur. For reliable protection, make sure PPE is clean, in good condition, fits correctly, and is appropriate for the materials and equipment you're working with.
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Supervisors are responsible for assessing job hazards and providing appropriate PPE. They also must provide training on how to wear and maintain appropriate PPE, and ensure their employees use it. Disposable PPE should be available for visitors and service workers if necessary.
Determine appropriate PPE by doing the following:
- Evaluate hazardous materials before work begins. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) will list appropriate and compatible safety equipment. In-depth resources, such as toxological databases, will give information on chronic and acute toxicity issues.
- Contact Environment, Health & Safety, (858) 534-3660, if you have additional questions.
Factors that affect PPE selection include:
- Nature of the materials being used
- Routes of potential exposure (ingestion, inhalation, injection, or dermal contact)
- Type of operation and equipment involved
- Available engineering controls
Understanding the purpose and limitations of PPE will help you select and use it effectively. Different types of PPE are described below:
| Eye protection |
Use safety glasses for minor splash hazards,
goggles for moderate hazards, and goggles combined with a face shield for severe hazards. Read Eye Protection for more information. Back to top |
| Hand protection |
Use disposable surgical-type gloves for incidental contact. (Nitrile gloves are usually a good choice for general use.) Use heavy-duty gloves for non-incidental contact and gross contamination. Read Glove Selection and Use for more information. Back to top |
Protective clothing |
Use protective clothing as a safeguard against spills, splashes, and other exposures when handling hazardous materials. Always remove protective clothing at the workplace to prevent the spread of contamination to your car, home, or public places.
In laboratories, always wear a lab coat when handling hazardous materials. Other lab clothing includes smocks, scrub suits, gowns, and rubber or coated aprons. Summer clothes (such as shorts or short-sleeved shirts) don't offer adequate protection when working in the laboratory.
Other criteria for selecting lab clothing include:
- Liquid-resistant fabric or coatings when spills or splashes are anticipated
- Non-disposable garments must be capable of withstanding sterilization should they become contaminated
- Closure types and location for ease of use
- Antistatic properties
Shop and maintenance workers handling hazardous materials such as pesticides, herbacides, and caustic materials, should wear coveralls or a uniform they can change out of after work. Back to top |
| Shoes |
Lab workers must wear closed-toe shoes at all times to protect feet from chemical spills and sharp objects. Other high-risk professions require different types of protective footwear, including:
- Steel-toed shoes for workers handling heavy materials or using rotating machinery near their feet, including groundskeepers and machine shop employees
- Rubber-soled shoes for electricians, construction workers, and others who work near live electrical conductors
- Slip-resistant shoes (usually rubber-soled with a grip pattern) for anyone who works in wet environments, including ships, aquariums, or kitchens
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| Hearing protection |
A variety of hearing protectors, including earplugs and ear muffs, are available for employees whose workplace reaches critical noise levels. Situations where employees are routinely exposed to elevated noise levels must be evaluated to determine if employees must be included in UCSD's Hearing Conservation Program. Back to top |
| Respiratory protection |
Fitted (cartridge) air-filtering face masks are only used under the direction of EH&S. Work environments and processes where exposure to harmful material by inhalation is possible and cannot be prevented with engineeering controls will be evaluated to determine if employees must be included in UCSD's Respiratory Protection Program.
Disposable "dust masks" may be used for protection from nuisance dusts. Back to top |
| Head protection |
Hard hats must be worn by electricians, construction workers, and any other workers when there is a danger of objects falling from above. Back to top |
Leave PPE at the workplace to prevent the spread of contamination. Never wear lab coats, gloves, or other PPE into cafeterias, restrooms, elevators, or off-site areas. Follow these guidelines to avoid spreading contaminants:
- Remove all PPE before leaving your workplace.
- Do not reuse disposable surgical gloves.
- Have lab coats laundered regularly.
- Always wash your hands after you remove protective equipment and before you leave the work area, especially if you're going to a public location such as the cafeteria, library, elevator, or offices.
Related policies:
Questions about PPE? - If you are a research employee, contact an EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist.
- If you are a non-research employee, contact an EH&S industrial hygienist, (858) 534-1075.
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