Hand and Foot Protection Quiz

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

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.