California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders › Group 2 - Safe Practices and Personal Protection › Article 10 - Personal Safety Devices and Safeguards › Appendix A - Non-Mandatory Appendix A

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
This Appendix is intended to provide compliance
						  assistance for employers and employees in implementing requirements for a
						  hazard assessment and the selection of personal protective equipment.
1. Controlling hazards. PPE devices alone should not be
						  relied on to provide protection against hazards, but should be used in
						  conjunction with guards, engineering controls, and sound manufacturing
						  practices.
2. Assessment and selection. It is necessary to
						  consider certain general guidelines for assessing the foot, head, eye and face,
						  and hand hazard situations that exist in an occupational or educational
						  operation or process, and to match the protective devices to the particular
						  hazard. It should be the responsibility of the safety officer to exercise
						  common sense and appropriate expertise to accomplish these tasks.
3. Assessment guidelines. In order to assess the need
						  for PPE the following steps should be taken:
a. Survey. Conduct a walk-through survey of the areas
						  in question. The purpose of the survey is to identify sources of hazards to
						  workers and co-workers. Consideration should be given to the basic hazard
						  categories:
(a) Impact
(b) Penetration
(c) Compression (roll-over)
(d) Chemical
(e) Heat
(f) Harmful dust
(g) Light (optical) radiation
b. Sources. During the walk-through survey the safety
						  officer should observe:
(a) sources of motion; i.e., machinery or processes
						  where any movement of tools, machine elements or particles could exist, or
						  movement of personnel that could result in collision with stationary
						  objects;
(b) sources of high temperatures that could result in
						  burns, eye injury or ignition of protective equipment, etc.;
(c) types of chemical exposures;
(d) sources of harmful dust;
(e) sources of light radiation, i.e., welding, brazing,
						  cutting, furnaces, heat treating, high intensity lights, etc.;
(f) sources of falling objects or potential for
						  dropping objects;
(g) sources of sharp objects which might pierce the
						  feet or cut the hands;
(h) sources of rolling or pinching objects which could
						  crush the feet;
(i) layout of workplace and location of co-workers;
						  and
(j) any electrical hazards. In addition,
						  injury/accident data should be reviewed to help identify problem areas.
c. Organize data. Following the walk-through survey, it
						  is necessary to organize the data and information for use in the assessment of
						  hazards. The objective is to prepare for an analysis of the hazards in the
						  environment to enable proper selection of protective equipment.
d. Analyze data. Having gathered and organized data on
						  a workplace, an estimate of the potential for injuries should be made. Each of
						  the basic hazards (subsection
						  3.a.) should be reviewed and a
						  determination made as to the type, level of risk, and seriousness of potential
						  injury from each of the hazards found in the area. The possibility of exposure
						  to several hazards simultaneously should be considered.
4. Selection guidelines. After completion of the
						  procedures in subsection
						  3, the general procedure for
						  selection of protective equipment is to:
(a) Become familiar with the potential hazards and the
						  type of protective equipment that is available, and what it can do; i.e.,
						  splash protection, impact protection, etc.;
(b) compare the hazards associated with the
						  environment; i.e., impact velocities, masses, projectile shape, radiation
						  intensities, with the capabilities of the available protective
						  equipment;
(c) select the protective equipment which ensures a
						  level of protection greater than the minimum required to protect employees from
						  the hazards; and
(d) fit the user with the protective device and give
						  instructions on care and use of the PPE. It is very important that end users be
						  made aware of all warning labels for and limitations of their PPE.
5. Fitting the device. Careful consideration must be
						  given to comfort and fit. PPE that fits poorly will not afford the necessary
						  protection. Continued wearing of the device is more likely if it fits the
						  wearer comfortably. Protective devices are generally available in a variety of
						  sizes. Care should be taken to ensure that the right size is selected.
6. Devices with adjustable features. Adjustments should
						  be made on an individual basis for a comfortable fit that will maintain the
						  protective device in the proper position. Particular care should be taken in
						  fitting devices for eye protection against dust and chemical splash to ensure
						  that the devices are sealed to the face. In addition, proper fitting of helmets
						  is important to ensure that it will not fall off during work operations. In
						  some cases a chin strap may be necessary to keep the helmet on an employee's
						  head. (Chin straps should break at a reasonably low force, however, so as to
						  prevent a strangulation hazard). Where manufacturer's instructions are
						  available, they should be followed carefully.
7. Reassessment of hazards. It is the responsibility of
						  the safety officer to reassess the workplace hazard situation as necessary, by
						  identifying and evaluating new equipment and processes, reviewing accident
						  records, and reevaluating the suitability of previously selected PPE.
8. Selection chart guidelines for eye and face
						  protection. Some occupations (not a complete list) for which eye protection
						  should be routinely considered are: carpenters, electricians, machinists,
						  mechanics and repairers, millwrights, plumbers and pipe fitters, sheet metal
						  workers and tinsmiths, assemblers, sanders, grinding machine operators, lathe
						  and milling machine operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, chemical process
						  operators and handlers, and timber cutting and logging workers. The following
						  chart provides general guidance for the proper selection of eye and face
						  protection to protect against hazards associated with the listed hazard
						  "source" operations.
Eye and Face Protection Selection
						  Chart
Source
Assessment
								  of Hazard
Protection
IMPACT -- Chipping, grinding machining, masonry
								  work, woodworking, sawing, drilling, chiseling, powered fastening, riveting,
								  and sanding
Flying fragments, objects, large chips, particles sand,
								  dirt, etc
Spectacles with side protection, goggles, face shields. See
								  notes (1), (3), (5), (6), (10). For severe exposure, use faceshield.
HEAT -- Furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot
								  dipping, and welding
Hot sparks
Faceshields, goggles,
								  spectacles with side protection. For severe exposure use faceshield. See notes
								  (1), (2), (3).
--
Splash from molten
								  metals
Faceshields worn over goggles. See notes (1), (2), (3).
--
High temperature
								  exposure
Screen face shields, reflective face shields. See notes (1),
								  (2), (3).
CHEMICALS -- Acid and chemicals handling,
								  degreasing plating
Splash
Goggles, eyecup and cover types. For
								  severe exposure, use face shield. See notes (3), (11).
--
Irritating
								  mists
Special-purpose goggles.
DUST -- Woodworking, buffing, general dusty
								  conditions
Nuisance dust
Goggles, eyecup and cover types. See
								  note (8).
LIGHT and/or RADIATION
								  --
--
--
Welding: Electric arc
Optical
								  radiation
Welding helmets or welding shields. Typical shades: 10-14.
								  See notes (9), (12)
Welding: Gas
Optical
								  radiation
Welding goggles or welding face shield. Typical shades: gas
								  welding 4-8, cutting 3-6, brazing 3-4. See note (9)
Cutting, Torch brazing, Torch
								  soldering
Optical radiation
Spectacles or welding face-shield.
								  Typical shades, 1.5-3. See notes (3), (9)
Glare
Poor vision
Spectacles with
								  shaded or special-purpose lenses, as suitable. See notes (9), (10).
Notes to Eye and Face Protection Selection
						  Chart:
(1) Care should be taken to recognize the possibility
						  of multiple and simultaneous exposure to a variety of hazards. Adequate
						  protection against the highest level of each of the hazards should be provided.
						  Protective devices do not provide unlimited protection.
(2) Operations involving heat may also involve light
						  radiation. As required by the standard, protection from both hazards must be
						  provided.
(3) Faceshields should only be worn over primary eye
						  protection (spectacles or goggles).
(4) As required by the standard, filter lenses must
						  meet the requirements for shade designations in Section
						  3382. Tinted and shaded lenses are
						  not filter lenses unless they are marked or identified as such.
(5) As required by the standard, persons whose vision
						  requires the use of prescription (Rx) lenses must wear either protective
						  devices fitted with prescription (Rx) lenses or protective devices designed to
						  be worn over regular prescription (Rx) eyewear.
(6) Wearers of contact lenses must also wear
						  appropriate eye and face protection devices in a hazardous environment. It
						  should be recognized that dusty and/or chemical environments may represent an
						  additional hazard to contact lens wearers.
(7) Caution should be exercised in the use of metal
						  frame protective devices in electrical hazard areas.
(8) Atmospheric conditions and the restricted
						  ventilation of the protector can cause lenses to fog. Frequent cleansing may be
						  necessary.
(9) Welding helmets or faceshields should be used only
						  over primary eye protection (spectacles or goggles).
(10) Non-sideshield spectacles are available for
						  frontal protection only, but are not acceptable eye protection for the sources
						  and operations listed for "impact."
(11) Ventilation should be adequate, but well protected
						  from splash entry. Eye and face protection should be designed and used so that
						  it provides both adequate ventilation and protects the wearer from splash
						  entry.
(12) Protection from light radiation is directly
						  related to filter lens density. See note (4). Select the darkest shade that
						  allows task performance.
9. Selection guidelines for head protection. All head
						  protection (helmets) is designed to provide protection from impact and
						  penetration hazards caused by falling objects. Head protection is also
						  available which provides protection from electric shock and burn. When
						  selecting head protection, knowledge of potential electrical hazards is
						  important. Class A helmets, in addition to impact and penetration resistance,
						  provide electrical protection from low-voltage conductors (they are proof
						  tested to 2,200 volts). Class B helmets, in addition to impact and penetration
						  resistance, provide electrical protection from high-voltage conductors (they
						  are proof tested to 20,000 volts). Class C helmets provide impact and
						  penetration resistance (they are usually made of aluminum which conducts
						  electricity), and should not be used around electrical hazards.
Where falling object hazards are present, helmets must
						  be worn. Some examples include: working below other workers who are using tools
						  and materials which could fall; working around or under conveyor belts which
						  are carrying parts or materials; working below machinery or processes which
						  might cause material or objects to fall; and working on exposed energized
						  conductors.
Some examples of occupations for which head protection
						  should be routinely considered are: carpenters, electricians, linemen,
						  mechanics and repairers, plumbers and pipe fitters, assemblers, packers,
						  wrappers, sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, timber cutting and
						  logging, stock handlers, and warehouse laborers.
10. Selection guidelines for foot protection. Safety
						  shoes and boots which meet either the ANSI Z41-1999 or the American Society for
						  Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2412-05 and ASTM F2413-5 Standards provide both
						  impact and compression protection. Where necessary, safety shoes can be
						  obtained which provide puncture protection. In some work situations, metatarsal
						  protection should be provided, and in other special situations electrical
						  conductive or insulating safety shoes would be appropriate.
Safety shoes or boots with impact protection would be
						  required for carrying or handling materials such as packages, objects, parts or
						  heavy tools, which could be dropped; and, for other activities where objects
						  might fall onto the feet. Safety shoes or boots with compression protection
						  would be required for work activities involving skid trucks (manual material
						  handling carts) around bulk rolls (such as paper rolls) and around heavy pipes,
						  all of which could potentially roll over an employee's feet. Safety shoes or
						  boots with puncture protection would be required where sharp objects such as
						  nails, wire, tacks, screws, large staples, scrap metal etc., could be stepped
						  on by employees causing a foot injury.
Some occupations (not a complete list) for which foot
						  protection should be routinely considered are: shipping and receiving clerks,
						  stock clerks, carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics and repairers,
						  plumbers and pipe fitters, structural metal workers, assemblers, drywall
						  installers and lathers, packers, wrappers, craters, punch and stamping press
						  operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, gardeners and
						  grounds-keepers, timber cutting and logging workers, stock handlers and
						  warehouse laborers.
11. Selection guidelines for hand protection. Gloves
						  are often relied upon to prevent cuts, abrasions, burns, and skin contact with
						  chemicals that are capable of causing local or systemic effects following
						  dermal exposure. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health is unaware of
						  any gloves that provide protection against all potential hand hazards, and
						  commonly available glove materials provide only limited protection against many
						  chemicals. Therefore, it is important to select the most appropriate glove for
						  a particular application and to determine how long it can be worn, and whether
						  it can be reused.
It is also important to know the performance
						  characteristics of gloves relative to the specific hazard anticipated; e.g.,
						  chemical hazards, cut hazards, flame hazards, etc. These performance
						  characteristics should be assessed by using standard test procedures. Before
						  purchasing gloves, the employer should request documentation from the
						  manufacturer that the gloves meet the appropriate test standard(s) for the
						  hazard(s) anticipated. Other factors to be considered for glove selection in
						  general include:
(A) As long as the performance characteristics are
						  acceptable, in certain circumstances, it may be more cost effective to
						  regularly change cheaper gloves than to reuse more expensive types; and,
(B) The work activities of the employee should be
						  studied to determine the degree of dexterity required, the duration, frequency,
						  and degree of exposure of the hazard, and the physical stresses that will be
						  applied.
With respect to selection of gloves for protection
						  against chemical hazards:
(A) The toxic properties of the chemical(s) must be
						  determined; in particular, the ability of the chemical to cause local effects
						  on the skin and/or to pass through the skin and cause systemic effects;
(B) Generally, any "chemical resistant" glove can be
						  used for dry powders;
(C) For mixtures and formulated products (unless
						  specific test data are available), a glove should be selected on the basis of
						  the chemical component with the shortest breakthrough time, since it is
						  possible for solvents to carry active ingredients through polymeric materials;
						  and,
(D) Employees must be able to remove the gloves in such
						  a manner as to prevent skin contamination.
12. Cleaning and maintenance. It is important that all
						  PPE be kept clean and properly maintained. Cleaning is particularly important
						  for eye and face protection where dirty or fogged lenses could impair
						  vision.
For the purposes of compliance with Section
						  3380(a) and (d),
						  PPE should be inspected, cleaned, and maintained at regular intervals so that
						  the PPE provides the requisite protection.
It is also important to ensure that contaminated PPE
						  which cannot be decontaminated is disposed of in a manner that protects
						  employees from exposure to hazards.
1. New
						  Appendix A filed 4-13-2011; operative 4-13-2011. Submitted to OAL for filing
						  with the Secretary of State and printing only pursuant to Labor Code section
						  142.3(a)(3)
						  (Register 2011, No. 15).
Note: Authority cited: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code. Reference: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code.