LO 6-8 Describe the purpose and use of common personal protective equipment associated with engine service

1. Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Before a technician enters a workplace, it is the responsibility of the employer to determine the appropriate use of PPE. PPE protects the worker from bodily harm by preventing hazardous materials (materials that can cause damage or injury to a person) or particles from entering the worker’s body or physically injuring the worker. Workers must be trained in the various types, purpose, and correct method to wear PPE. Depending on the workplace or activity, workers will typically be required to wear certified work boots with steel toes, gloves, shirts, pants, and coveralls classified as a category of PPE clothing. Safety glasses, full-face shields, welding goggles, or masks protect the eyes. Soft hats and caps, bump caps, and hard hats protect the hair and/or head. Dust masks, respirators, and supplied air respirators provide breathing protection. Earmuffs or ear plugs protect hearing. Fall protection or fall arrest systems are used while working at heights.

1.1. Video: Hearing Protection

1.2. Video: Fall Protection

1.3. Video: Back Injury Prevention

1.4. Gloves

Gloves

Gloves for engine-related work are classified and selected according to the hazards encountered. Acid or chemical- resistant gloves are used for working with caustic cleaning agents such as a hot tank. Latex, vinyl, or nitrile work gloves are used to protect the skin for general work, and light cloth gloves are for handling sharp objects. Class 0 insulating gloves are for high-voltage work. Workers should always protect the skin on their hands from exposure to chemicals or solvents. Prolonged exposure to these hazards can cause long-term health effects. Figure 33 shows a pair of chemical-resistant gloves and Figure 34 shows a pair of general-purpose nitrile gloves that protect the skin. Note that oil- or water-soaked gloves do not provide the normal level of protection and may become a hazard. Vinyl and latex work gloves are quickly damaged when working with solvents.

Nitrile gloves protect against solvents, but it is recommended to use heavier chemical-resistant gloves when working with solvents.

FIGURE 06-33: These chemically resistant gloves extend almost to the elbows and are used when cleaning parts in solvents.

FIGURE 06-34: Nitrile gloves are commonly available in either black or blue colors.

1.5. Video: Hand Protection

1.6. Eye Protection

Eye Protection Safety glasses used in the workplace should meet the ANSI standard. ANSI is a nonprofit organization that establishes standards that safety glass manufacturers must meet to be ANSI accredited. The current ANSI standard for safety glasses and face protection devices is Z87.1-2015 and was introduced in 2015. Standards are revisited every 5 years, as necessary. Eye protection that meets this standard is high-impact resistance tested and is marked with Z87+ on the lens and frame of the glasses (the frames are part of the impact resistance). Figure 35 shows a typical pair of safety glasses with side protection. Safety glasses manufactured prior to 2010 were marked Z87. It is recommended that glasses marked Z87 be replaced because they have less impact resistance than the new standard. All new glasses should meet the higher impact–resistant new standard. Safety glasses that meet the ANSI standard have attached side protectors on the frames or are formed as part of the lenses. Safety glasses are available with prescription lenses. These should be marked Z87-2+.

FIGURE 06-35: A pair of Z87.1-2015-compliant safety glasses.

1.7. Video: Eye Protection