Personal Protective Equipment Program PPE

Introduction:

1. Summary
   1. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) is committed to providing a safe work environment for our employees. In pursuit of this goal, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure. MSBSD adheres to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) standards.
       
2. Purpose
   1. The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program has been developed to provide MSBSD with the necessary information to identify work situations that require the use of PPE. This information is important to ensure the safety and health of all employees.
      Personal protective equipment is not a substitute for engineering, administrative or work practice controls, but should be used in conjunction with these controls to ensure the safety and health of employees. PPE will be provided, used, and maintained in good condition when it has been determined that its use is required to lessen the likelihood of occupational injury and/or illness.
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3. Scope
   1. Employees who currently utilize PPE or have the potential to encounter hazards to the eyes, face, head, hands, or feet will be required to participate in this PPE Program. PPE includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. PPE should be used in conjunction with permanent protective measures, such as engineered guards, substitutions of less hazardous chemicals, and prudent work practices.
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4. Regulations and Standards
   1. Employers are required to assess the workplace to determine if hazards that require the use of respiratory, head, eye, face, hand, or foot protection are present or are likely to be present. If hazards are found, employers must select, and have affected employees use, properly fitted PPE suitable for protection from these hazards. Before doing work requiring the use of PPE, employees must be trained to know when PPE is necessary, what type is necessary, how it is to be worn, and what its limitations are, as well as its proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal. MSBSD adheres to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards listed below. Additional PPE requirements identified during hazard assessments will also be adhered to.