General PPE FAQs:

General PPE FAQs: Your Questions About Personal Protective Equipment, Answered

At Your Safety Company, we believe that informed employees are safer employees. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a critical last line of defense against workplace hazards, but many common questions arise about its use, care, and selection. Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about general PPE.

Q1: How often should PPE be inspected?

A1: The frequency of PPE inspection depends largely on the type of PPE, the intensity of its use, and the hazards it protects against. However, there are general guidelines:

  • Before Each Use (Daily/Shiftly): Most PPE, especially items like safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, and particularly fall protection equipment, should be visually inspected by the user before each use or at the start of every shift. This quick check is to identify obvious damage, wear, or defects that could compromise its effectiveness.

  • Regularly Scheduled Inspections: Many types of PPE require more in-depth, periodic inspections by a competent person or trained supervisor.

    • Monthly/Quarterly: For items like first aid kits, fire extinguishers, or frequently used respirators.

    • Annually (or more frequently): For critical life-saving equipment such as fall protection harnesses, lanyards, and self-retracting lifelines, a thorough inspection by a competent person is typically required at least once a year, or more often if used in harsh conditions or after a fall event.

  • After Any Incident: If PPE has been involved in an incident (e.g., a hard hat takes an impact, a fall protection lanyard arrests a fall, or a chemical splash occurs on safety glasses), it should be immediately removed from service, even if it appears undamaged, and inspected by a qualified person or disposed of.

  • Manufacturer's Recommendations: Always consult the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for specific inspection frequencies and procedures, as these can vary by product.

  • Company Policy: Your employer's specific safety policy will also dictate inspection frequencies and who is responsible for performing them.

Q2: What's the difference between safety glasses and goggles?

A2: While both safety glasses and goggles are designed to protect your eyes, they offer different levels and types of protection, primarily due to their design:

  • Safety Glasses:

    • Design: Resemble regular eyeglasses, typically with side shields for peripheral protection. They sit directly on the face.

    • Primary Protection: Primarily designed to protect against impact from flying particles, dust, and light debris.

    • Ventilation: Generally offer good ventilation, reducing fogging.

    • Fit: May leave small gaps around the eyes, which can allow very fine dust or liquid splashes to enter.

    • Ideal For: General construction, woodworking, light manufacturing, and tasks where impact is the main hazard.

    • ANSI Z87.1 Marking: Look for Z87+ for high-impact protection.

  • Safety Goggles:

    • Design: Form a complete seal around the eyes, covering the entire eye area and typically secured with a strap.

    • Primary Protection: Provide superior protection against splashes (liquids, chemicals), fine dust, mists, fumes, and larger flying debris because they create a sealed barrier.

    • Ventilation: Can be "vented" (indirectly vented to prevent splash entry) or "non-vented" (fully sealed). Vented goggles are less prone to fogging but offer less splash protection than non-vented.

    • Fit: Offer a tighter, more secure fit that prevents entry from all angles.

    • Ideal For: Chemical handling, grinding, sanding, dusty environments, work with molten metals, and situations where splashes or fine particles are a significant risk.

    • ANSI Z87.1 Marking: Look for Z87+ for high-impact, and specific "D" markings like D3 (droplets/splashes), D4 (dust), or D5 (fine dust).

In summary: Safety glasses are great for general impact protection, while goggles provide a more comprehensive seal, crucial for splash, dust, and fine particle hazards. In some situations (e.g., grinding), goggles may be required over safety glasses, or a face shield worn over either.

Q3: How do I clean my leather work gloves?

A3: Proper cleaning and care can extend the life of your leather work gloves and maintain their protective qualities. However, leather is a natural material and requires specific care to prevent damage and stiffness.

General Cleaning Steps for Leather Work Gloves:

  1. Remove Excess Dirt:

    • Brush off any loose dirt, dust, or debris using a stiff brush or by gently clapping the gloves together.

    • For stubborn mud, let it dry and then brush it off.

  2. Prepare a Cleaning Solution:

    • Mix a small amount of mild soap (like saddle soap, mild dish soap, or a specialized leather cleaner) with lukewarm water. Do NOT use harsh detergents, bleach, or abrasive cleaners, as these can strip the natural oils from the leather and cause it to crack or stiffen.

  3. Gently Wipe:

    • Dampen a soft cloth (not soaking wet) with the cleaning solution.

    • Gently wipe the surface of the gloves, focusing on dirty areas. Avoid saturating the leather.

    • For stubborn spots, you can gently scrub with a soft brush (like an old toothbrush), but be careful not to damage the leather.

  4. Rinse (Minimal Water):

    • Wipe the gloves again with a clean, damp cloth (water only) to remove any soap residue.

  5. Drying (Crucial Step):

    • This is the most important part! Do NOT put leather gloves in a dryer, expose them to direct sunlight, or place them near a direct heat source (like a radiator or space heater). Rapid drying will cause the leather to shrink, crack, and become stiff.

    • Gently reshape the gloves.

    • Hang them in a well-ventilated area at room temperature, away from direct heat or sunlight.

    • Allow them to air dry slowly and completely. This can take 24-48 hours.

    • Periodically put them on and flex your fingers during the drying process to help maintain their shape and flexibility.

  6. Condition (Optional but Recommended):

    • Once completely dry, apply a small amount of leather conditioner (specifically designed for work gloves or heavy-duty leather) to restore moisture and maintain suppleness. Rub it in gently and wipe off any excess.

Important Considerations:

  • Welding Gloves: If your leather welding gloves have significant burn marks, holes, or are extremely stiff from spatter, cleaning may not be sufficient. Their protective qualities may be compromised, and they should be replaced.

  • Chemical Exposure: If gloves have been exposed to hazardous chemicals, consult the SDS for the chemical and the glove manufacturer's guidelines for decontamination or disposal. Simple cleaning may not be adequate.

  • Inner Linings: If the gloves have a fabric or cotton lining, ensure it also dries thoroughly to prevent mildew.

By following these cleaning tips, you can help ensure your leather work gloves remain comfortable, flexible, and protective for a longer period.