Hand and Foot Protection Quiz

Study Notes

Hand Protection

Gloves must be selected based on performance characteristics for specific tasks
No ANSI standards for gloves
Gloves that are too large or too small can lead to injuries

Foot Protection

Steel toed safety shoes and boots
Puncture proof soles
Non-conductive for electrical work
Rubber or synthetic footwear for working with chemicals
Class H - heavy work, Class S - normal work, Class L - light work
Foot guards or ankle shields may be needed for some jobs
Static free shoe designed to drain off static electricity may be needed around computers

Hearing Protection

Common workplace injury that can cause gradual damage over time
Protection needed when:
- Workplace sounds are irritating
- You must raise your voice to be heard from two feet away
- Ears ring after leaving work
- Sound levels reach 85 decibels over an eight-hour period
- Short bursts of high-pitched, loud, or continuous sounds
Types of protection: earplugs and earmuffs
Earplugs offer the most protection and are comfortable and easy to insert and use
Earmuffs made of foam rubber and must fit snugly
May need both in severe places
Must keep sound below 90 db

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is afforded by proper selection and use of respirators
Covered extensively in ANSI Z88.2-1059 standard
Respirators must be properly selected, fitted, and used

Training and Responsibilities

Training areas:
- When to wear PPE
- What PPE is to be worn
- How to don, doff, and adjust PPE
- Limitations of PPE
- Care and maintenance of PPE
- Useful life and disposal of PPE
Cleaning and maintaining PPE: kept clean, inspected, and cleaned at regular intervals
Health and Safety Committee responsibilities:
- Provides training and technical assistance
- Provides guidance for selection and purchase of approved PPE
- Periodically reevaluates suitability of previously selected PPE
- Reviews, updates, and evaluates effectiveness of PPE program

Types of PPE

Safety glasses
Goggles
Face shields
Helmets
Hoods
Sleeves
Shoes and boots
Mats and blankets
Respirators
Gloves
Coveralls
Many others
PFAS

Eye and Face Protection

Work requiring PPE:
- Working with molten metals
- Working with liquid chemicals
- Working with hazardous gases
- Working with flying particles
- Working with injurious radiant energy
Shall conform to minimum requirements:
- For hazards they are designed/intended
- Be reasonably comfortable to use
- Fit snugly, not interfere with user movements
- Durable, easily cleaned, and capable of being disinfected
- Kept clean and in good condition
- Of approved type (ANSI Z 87.1-1968)

Head Protection

Hard hats:
- Class A - protection from falling objects
- Class B - against fall of a wearer from certain height
- Class AB - combination of category A and B
- Class AE - falling articles and electricity
- Class ABE - combination of AE and B
- ANSI Z59-1-1969 standard

Hand Protection

Gloves:
- Vinyl, rubber, or neoprene are adequate for most chemicals
- May need synthetic gloves for petroleum-based products
- Vibration-absorbing gloves work well
- Leather or cotton are appropriate for most abrasive jobs
- Never wear metal-reinforced gloves around electrical work
- Ensure gloves fit well

Description

Test your knowledge on proper hand and foot protection in the workplace. Learn about gloves and footwear selection, ANSI standards, performance characteristics, and different types of safety shoes and boots.