Employees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that
cannot be eliminated through engineering, work practice or administrative
controls, must wear appropriate body protection while performing their jobs. In
addition to cuts and radiation, the following are examples of workplace hazards
that could cause bodily injury:
-- Temperature extremes;
-- Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids;
-- Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials;
-- Hazardous chemicals.
There are many varieties of protective clothing available
for specific hazards. Employers are required to ensure that their employees
wear personal protective equipment only for the parts of the body exposed to
possible injury. Examples of body protection include laboratory coats,
coveralls, vests, jackets, aprons, surgical gowns and full body suits.
If a hazard assessment indicates a need for full body
protection against toxic substances or harmful physical agents, the clothing
should be carefully inspected before each use, it must fit each worker properly
and it must function properly and for the purpose for which it is intended.
Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each
effective against particular hazards, such as:
Paper-like fibre used
for disposable suits provide protection against dust and splashes.
Treated wool and
cotton adapts well to changing temperatures, is comfortable and
fire-resistant and protects against dust, abrasions and rough and irritating
surfaces.
Duck is a
closely woven cotton fabric that protects against cuts and bruises when
handling heavy, sharp or rough materials.
Leather is
often used to protect against dry heat and flames.
Rubber, rubberized
fabrics, neoprene and plastics protect against certain chemicals and
physical hazards. When chemical or physical hazards are present, check with the
clothing manufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide
protection against the specific hazard.
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