Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Introduction
Personal protective equipment (
PPE
) is any type of specialized clothing, barrier product, or breathing
(respiratory) device used to protect workers from serious injuries or
illnesses while doing their jobs. Occupational Health and Safety
Administration (OSHA -
OSHA
General PPE Requirements Standard 29CFR1910
Subpart I ) requires the use of
PPE
to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and
administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these
exposures to acceptable levels.
Employers, including local health departments, are required by OSHA
and Wisconsin
Administrative Code to perform a hazard assessment to determine when and if
PPE
should be used to protect their workers.
Public health workers are potentially exposed to two main categories
of workplace hazards: communicable
diseases and environmental health hazards. If
PPE
needs to be used, a
PPE
program must be implemented. This program should address the hazards
present; the selection, maintenance, and use of
PPE
; the training of employees; and monitoring of the program to ensure its
ongoing effectiveness.
While not all local health departments conduct environmental health
hazard investigations, all public health workers should be aware of the
PPE requirements for these possible exposures, because ultimately, the
local health officer is responsible for human health hazard abatement in
his or her jurisdiction (HFS
140.04) as well as assuring the National
Public Health Essential Services are implemented as described in
Wisconsin Statute 250.03(10)(L).
The resources found on this website are intended to
assist local health departments with developing and managing their
PPE
responsibilities.
Policy
Statement for PPE
PPE Program Development
- Hazard Assessment
- Equipment Selection and Use
- Reassessment of Hazards
- Training Standard 29CFR1910.132 (f)(1)
- Payment for PPE Standard 29CFR1910.132 (h)(1)
- Model Plans and Templates
Frequently Asked Questions
DPH State Expert Panel on Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) to Support Public Health Functions Final
Report - October 2008 (Word, 94 kb)
PPE Procurement
Last Revised: May 19, 2009
If you have any questions, e-mail Sara Strell at sara.strell@wisconsin.gov.
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