9. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 

Working without gloves might be macho, but who’s going to tie your shoes every morning? 

Methods of controlling potentially harmful exposures to hazardous substances in the workplace environment are generally placed into three categories: Engineering, Administrative and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Engineering controls are passive measures designed into the work environment to prevent contact with a harmful substance or other hazard. Administrative controls include such measures as worker rotation to minimize exposure, implementing proper housekeeping practices and developing appropriate worker training. Personal protective equipment refers to the use of respirators, special clothing, safety glasses, hard hats and similar devices used to reduce the risk of personal injury or illness resulting from occupational hazards. 

Use of PPE is the last line of defense in controlling exposure to harmful substances and should only be used when other control methods fail to provide adequate protection or can not be used. Whereas engineering and administrative controls reduce or eliminate the hazard at its source, PPE merely provides a barrier between the hazard and the worker and does not remove the hazard from the environment. 

In a successful Personal Protective Equipment Program, work areas requiring PPE are identified, the proper type of equipment is selected, a thorough training program is developed and implemented, and the use and maintenance of PPE is enforced. At Maine Maritime Academy various research, teaching and work environments require the use of PPE. A full range of hard hats or helmets, safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection, body protective clothing,  gloves, respirators, belts, lanyards, harnesses, and safety shoes are addressed and can be required in a particular area. In selecting the proper equipment, the most important criterion is the degree of protection that a particular piece of equipment can provide under a variety of conditions. 

HAZARD  ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION

For OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment Standards A Checklist for Compliance

Provided By: 

Bureau of Labor Standards 
#82 State House Station 
Augusta, Maine 04333 
(207) 6247-6460 

Job Title/Tasks: 

Type of Injuries: 

Trends Identified: 



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The following personal protective equipment is required to be worn by employees when performing the activities covered by this job title: 

Chemical Resistant Gloves Goggles 

Thermal Insulating Gloves Safety Glasses 

Cut Resistant Gloves Face Shield 

Sleeves Safety Shoes (penetration of impact) 

Helmets (impact or welding) Dust/Mist Mask 

Lab Coat Smock 

Apron Coveralls 

Encapsulating Suit Shaded Spectacles 

Ear Plugs Ear Muffs 

Shoe Covers 

Respirator Type: 

Other: 

PPE Training Date: Performed By: 

Training covered by the following: 

When PPE is necessary 

What PPE is necessary 

How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE 

The limitations of PPE 

The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE 

Who to contact for replacement of PPE or for more information 


ADDITIONAL HAZARDS

Do additional hazards exist? (For example: electrical, noise, etc.)  Yes No 

Description of hazard: 

Exposure occurs in the following work locations: 

Required PPE: 

Other information: 

(Repeat this section as necessary)

LIGHT/RADIATION HAZARDS

Are there activities performed in areas where high intensity light exists? Yes No 

Are lasers used in the workplace? Yes No 

Are welding operations performed? Yes No 

Are UV lights used? Yes No 

Do employees perform brazing or cutting operations? Yes No 

Are heat treating operations performed? Yes No 

Is there excessive solar glare? Yes No 

Would the use of shaded glasses reduce exposure for employees Yes No 

working in the area? 

Describe those activities: 

Required PPE: 

Welding Helmet Welding Shields 

Welding Goggles Shaded Safety Glasses 

Special Purpose Lenses 

Other 

HEAT HAZARDS

Are there sources of high temperatures in the workplace? Yes No 

Are welding operations performed by employees? Yes No 

Is there a possibility that molten metals could splash? Yes No 

Are there furnace operations? Yes No 

Description of heat hazards: 

Required PPE: 

Face Shields Thermal Protective Clothing 

Screen Face Shields Safety Glasses with Side Protection 

Reflective Face Shields Gloves Which Provide Heat Protection 

Goggles Other 

PENETRATION HAZARDS

Are there penetration hazards? Yes No 

If so, what type: 

Description of penetration hazards: 

Does employee perform activities where they may cut their hands? Yes No 

If so, what activities? 

Is meat processing performed by employees? Yes No 

Is there scrap metal, nails, wire, screws, tacks or large staples  in the area where employees

 work? Yes No 

Is metal fabrication performed? Yes No 

Are there sharp objects in the workplace? Yes No 

Are there processes where abrasions could occur? Yes No 

Does the employee walk in areas where sharp objects may pierce their feet? Yes No 

Required PPE: 

Head Protection (Helmets) Cut Resistant Gloves 

Safety shoes which provide penetration protection 

Other 

IMPACT HAZARDS

Are there sources of motion which expose an employee to impacts? Yes No 

If so, what are those sources of motion? 

Description of impact hazards: 

Is there any process that requires the movement of tools? Yes No 

If so, what? 

Do employees work around or under conveyor belts that carry equipment or machinery? Yes No 

Is work performed below other workers who use tools or machinery which  could fall? Yes No 

Are any of the following activities performed in the work area? 

Chipping Grinding Machinery 

Woodworking Masonry Work 

Sawing Chiseling 

Riveting Powered Fastening 

Sanding Other operations where there may be flying  fragments 

Is the employee required to carry heavy objects that could cause injury if dropped? Yes No 

Required PPE: 

Goggles Safety glasses with side shields 

Face shields Head protection (helmets) 

Safety shoes designed for impact protection 

Other 

COMPRESSION HAZARDS


Are there activities where an employee may encounter compression  hazards? Yes No 

Description of compression hazards which exist: 

Are forklifts used in the area where an employee walks? Yes No 

Are manual skids used by employees? Yes No 

Do employees install or work with heavy pipes? Yes No 

Are there bulk paper rolls in the area? Yes No 

Are there objects in the area that may roll over an employee’s feet? Yes No 

Are stamping presses used in the area? Yes No 

Is logging work done by employees? Yes No 

Are there process hazards that could crush an employee’s feet or hands? Yes No 

Required PPE: 

Safety shoes which provide compression protection 

Other 


HARMFUL DUST HAZARDS


Are there sources of harmful dusts? Yes No 

If so, what are those sources? 

What is the potential injury risk from the harmful dust? 

What is the permissible exposure limit of the dust? 

Does the Material Safety Data Sheet recommend a dust mask? Yes No 

If so, what type? 

Required PPE: 

Goggles (eyecup and cover type) 

Dust/mist particular respirator - - Type: 

Other 


(Repeat this section as necessary)


CHEMICAL EXPOSURE


Are chemicals used at this workplace? Yes No 

Do these chemicals require the use of personal protective equipment? Yes No 

Chemical Name: 

Name shown on MSDS: 

Amount Used: Time Period: 

Hazards associated with this chemical: 

Inhalation Eye Contact PEL 

Ingestion Skin Irritant TWA 

Absorption Contact with clothing 

Does employee exposure exceed the permissible exposure limit? Yes No 

Will the chemical irritate skin or eyes on contact? Yes No 

Does the chemical splash during use? Yes No 

Does the chemical release irritating mists? Yes No 

Does the Material Safety Data Sheet recommend respiratory protection? Yes No 

If so, what type? 

Required PPE: 

Impermeable gloves Chemical resistant gloves 

Safety glasses Goggles 

Face shield Lab Coat 

Apron Smock 

Coveralls Encapsulating suit 

Shoe covers Dust/mist respirator 

Air purifying respirator Atmosphere supply respirator 

Other 




PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HAZARD ASSESSMENT/CERTIFICATION


The hazard assessment is a required component of a complete personal protective equipment program. The assessment provides information needed to select the appropriate personal protective equipment for the hazards present or likely to be present at a workplace. "Personal Protective Equipment 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" (29 CFR Appendix B to Subpart I). 

Company Name: 

Address: 

Date of Assessment: 

Job Title: 

Department: 



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I certify that the hazard assessment required by 29 CFR Part 1910.132 has been performed to establish the need for personal protective equipment in this workplace. The purpose of the survey was to identify sources of hazards to workers. 

Assessment performed by: 

Title: 

Signature: Date: