Using PPE at home

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Background:

Most school districts require staff to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing specific tasks, such as eye protection when operating a metal shop lathe or hearing protection when operating a grass mower. However, people often don’t wear PPE when doing similar tasks at home.

Ask:

What are some tasks people perform at home that would be safer with PPE?

Using string trimmers: Wear safety glasses, a face shield, ear protection (for a gas-powered model), long-sleeve shirt, and pants.
Using table saws or chop saws: Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.
Using a chain saw: Wear chaps, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hat, and boots.
Using chemical cleaners: Wear protective gloves and safety glasses or goggles (depending on the splash hazard and hazards associated with the chemical).
Doing general yard work such as dragging brush: Wear leather gloves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
Using herbicides: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the chemical. This often will include long-sleeve shirt and pants, appropriate gloves, and eye protection.
Handling wooden crates or materials for wood shop: Wear leather gloves.
Weeding while kneeling on concrete or on hard, rocky packed ground: Use a foam pad or wear knee pads.

Cleaning up blood spills and other body fluids: Wear nitrile (or similar) exam gloves and, depending on task, eyewear, and an impermeable apron.

Ask:

Do you have PPE at home for these tasks? Is it in good repair?

Ask:

Any safety concerns or suggestions?

For more on this topic, visit saif.com/education.