The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) administers and enforces the standards to ensure employee health and safety in the workplace. Included within the standards are requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Personal Protective Equipment protects many parts of the body from injury. The appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn for the job you are performing. When working with hazardous materials, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) identifies the appropriate PPE to wear. Personal protective equipment you may be required to wear includes gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, respirators, chemical protective clothing and safety shoes or boots.

Responsibilities include:

• Each department shall identify potential hazards of job tasks, furnish personal protective equipment to employees and implement an enforcement policy.

• Encourage employees to value their personal safety and look out for fellow workers.

• Involve employees in the selection process.

• Educate and train employees about the need, use and care of PPE.

• Verify training in writing with the employees name, date of training, and subject of certification.