PPE
» Cleaning, Maintenance, and Replacement
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Figure 1: Illustration of the many ship repair operations that require
PPE |
Clean and properly maintained PPE is important to
ensure the effectiveness and proper functioning of PPE and to
prevent transmitting infections (such as pink eye, respiratory illnesses).
Note: Confined space entry is one of the leading
hazards associated with barge cleaning. Review the
Shipbreaking: Confined/Enclosed
Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres
chapter for information on how to protect workers from this hazard. |
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General Requirements |
Potential Hazards:
Some
of the hazards associated with improperly cleaned or maintained personal protective
equipment include:
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Severe burns due to employees performing hot work while wearing
greasy or oily clothing.
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Impaired vision due to using eye and face protection with dirty,
scratched, or fogged lenses or shields.
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Skin irritation or chemical absorption due to contaminated PPE such
as clothing, gloves, face pieces, gloves, and boots.
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Inhalation of toxic chemicals due to damaged respiratory valves or
face pieces, or saturated cartridges.
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Inter-changing of parts that may void the manufactures approval and
cause equipment failure.
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Exposure of hazardous materials such as lead, arsenic, and asbestos
due to improper cleaning of respirators.
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Spread of infectious diseases due to shared equipment.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
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Defective, damaged, or contaminated PPE must not be used.
[1915.152(c)]
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Unsanitary PPE must be cleaned and disinfected
before it is reissued. [1915.152(d)]
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Employees must be instructed in the proper care,
maintenance, useful life, and disposal of PPE. [1915.152(e)(1)(v)]
There are cleaning and maintenance practices for
specific personal protective equipment including:
Note: There are additional PPE
requirements for
Health Related
Hazards (for example Lead [1910.1025],
Arsenic [1910.1018], Asbestos
[1910.1001], Cadmium
[1910.1027]).
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