6.0 – PPE Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to minimize injuries to employees by the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

All employees at shop & field locations must wear hard hats, steel-toed boots, safety glasses, long pants and long-sleeved shirts as a minimum requirement.

All other required PPE not mentioned above shall be supplied by the company.

All PPE used shall be in good condition and maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions.

All company supplied PPE will conform to government OH&S requirements and relevant safety standards.

The policies contained within this manual do not take precedence over the Occupational Health and Safety Act or any other applicable government regulations including Client or site requirements. 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

General

Workers are expected to show up for all shifts with the necessary/appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) relative to their job duties; failure to bring or wear necessary PPE as required may result in disciplinary action.

PPE will:

  • be selected and used in accordance with recognized standards, and provide effective protection
  • not in itself create a hazard to the wearer
  • be compatible, so that one item of PPE does not make another item ineffective
  • be maintained in good working order and in a sanitary condition
  • be fitted in accordance with legislative and manufacturers’ instructions

If the use of PPE creates hazards equal to or greater than those its use is intended to prevent, alternative PPE will be used or other appropriate measures taken.

Standards

All PPE selected to protect against specific identified hazards will meet applicable standards as defined by the OHS Regulation – Part 8.

Responsibilities

Supervisors will ensure that appropriate PPE is:

  • available to workers
  • properly worn when required
  • properly cleaned and stored
  • maintained and repaired as required
  • inspected and tested as required
  • Assess workplace conditions to ensure adequate protection is being used

Workers who are required to use PPE will:

  • use the equipment in accordance with training and instruction
  • inspect the equipment before each use
  • refrain from wearing PPE outside of the work area where it is required if to do so would constitute a hazard
  • correct or report all damaged/defective PPE in accordance with company procedure

A worker who is assigned responsibility for cleaning, maintaining, or storing PPE will do so in accordance with training/instruction provided and manufacturers’ instruction.

Provisions

All workers are required to supply the following non-specialty PPE as applicable to the hazards identified at the worksites:

  • clothing needed for protection against the natural elements
  • general purpose work gloves
  • safety footwear
  • safety headgear

The employer will provide the following PPE as applicable to the hazards identified at the worksites:

  • eye and face protection
  • high-visibility apparel
  • hearing protection
  • all other specialized PPE

Workers may use their own personal protective equipment in lieu of the company issued equipment only under the following conditions; all personal equipment will:

  • meet applicable regulatory/company requirements
  • be subject to company inspection procedure(s)
  • be used at the owners’ own financial risk (the company will not replace or reimburse costs relating to damage/loss of personal equipment)
Safety Footwear

Appropriate CSA safety footwear will be worn onsite at all times unless specified by the site supervisor or designate.

Workers will ensure their safety footwear is maintained in a condition that provides adequate or intended protection.

Safety Headgear

Appropriate safety headgear will be worn wherever there is a clear and present danger of head injury.

Hard hats may be worn backwards providing the suspension adjustment is positioned at the back of the head when worn.

Safety headgear will not be altered or marked with paint, felt markers, or any other marking device.

Hard hats must be CSA approved and have a properly adjusted suspension.

Eye and Face Protection

Workers will wear properly fitting safety eyewear or a face shield appropriate to the conditions of the workplace if handling or exposed to materials that are likely to injure or irritate the eyes or face.

Workers must not wear contact lenses where gases, vapors, flying objects, dust or other materials are present that may harm the eyes or be absorbed by the lenses.

Workers must wear appropriate eye protection when exposed to eye hazards, such as grinding, chipping, drilling, welding and chemical splashing.  To prevent foreign matter deposited on safety eyewear from entering the eyes when removing the eyewear, worker should remove mitts or gloves, slip thumbs under the removing strap at the back of the head, tilt the head and body forward and raise the straps over the back of the head so that the eyewear falls free. Double eye protection applies to all welding, grinding, and cutting tasks where debris could injury face or eyes.

Hand Protection & Glove Selection

Workers shall wear protective equipment when handling materials likely to puncture, abrade or irritate hands and arms, unless the use of the equipment introduces equal or greater hazards.

Gloves are to be chosen based off specific tasks such as welders wearing appropriate leather gloves, workers exposed to chemicals/toxic elements to wear chemical/rubber gloves, and workers handing sharp objects to wear cut resistant gloves.

High-Visibility and Distinguishing Apparel

Appropriate high-visibility apparel will be worn wherever there are moving vehicles including mobile equipment in respect to WorkSafeBC guidelines.

Hearing Protection

Workers will wear hearing protection appropriate to the conditions of the workplace if exposed to noise levels above either of the following exposure limits

  • 85 dBA daily noise exposure level
  • 140 dBs peak sound level
Specialized PPE

Workers shall use additional protective equipment such as barrier creams, fall arrest equipment, respiratory protection, aprons etc., as the work requires them.

Workers will receive the appropriate training necessary prior to using/donning any specialized equipment.