Personal Protective Equipment and Engineering/Administrative Controls
Domain scope
This domain tests the hierarchy of controls and the selection, use and limitations of PPE. You must show why engineering and administrative controls come before PPE.
Core rules and concepts
- Hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE.
- Engineering controls include machine guards, interlocks, local exhaust ventilation, isolation and automation.
- Administrative controls include permits to work, training, rotation, signage and procedures; they depend on human compliance.
- PPE includes head, eye, face, hearing, respiratory, hand, foot, body and fall protection. Select for the hazard, check certification, fit, comfort and compatibility.
- PPE programme: hazard assessment, selection, training, fit testing, maintenance, storage, replacement and recordkeeping.
- PPE does not eliminate the hazard; it only reduces exposure if worn correctly.
Worked example
A grinding task produces dust and sparks. Controls: fit a guard and local exhaust ventilation; isolate the area; train workers; then provide goggles, face shield, hearing protection and fit-tested RPE. The PPE is checked before use, cleaned and replaced on schedule. If the LEV fails, work stops; the respirator is not the backup plan.
Traps
Buying PPE before assessing the hazard; no fit test for tight-fitting respirators; sharing PPE; using damaged or wrong-size PPE; and assuming PPE protects against all routes of exposure.