Reprinted with permission from the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health
Selecting appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can be a difficult task. There are countless types, styles, ratings, and manufacturers, so how do you know what to use? A good starting point is to think about the parts of the body and any hazards they might be exposed to during a task. From there, you can decide what type of PPE may be needed. Let’s take a look at three of the most commonly used types of PPE:
Respiratory Protection: In the U.S., respirators are certified by NIOSH. One-strap disposable masks are not NIOSH certified and do not provide respiratory protection in any situation. When selecting a respirator, you’ll first need to determine if the substance you need protection from is a particulate, such as dust and animal bedding; chemical, like formaldehyde or welding fumes; or both, like some pesticides and footbath chemicals. For particulate hazards, an N, R, or P series respirator is appropriate. If you are working with a chemical, you’ll want to consult both the label and the manufacturer’s safety data sheet; both of these will provide you with information on selecting the correct respiratory protection. Chemical hazards will require the use of a half- or full-faced respirator equipped with a chemical cartridge. For both chemical and particulate hazards, you’ll need a chemical cartridge with a particulate filter attached.
Hearing Protection: The effectiveness of hearing protection is indicated by its Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) which is a measure of how many decibels (dB) a noise is reduced by. Workers exposed to noises in excess of 90 dB should use hearing protection. Some noises agriculture and forestry workers encounter that exceed this level include tractors, chainsaws, grain dryers, and hog barns at feeding time. NYCAMH recommends hearing protectors with the highest Boise Reduction Rating (NRR) available, though a hearing protector with a lower NRR may be recommended for people who already have hearing loss. Either plug or muff style hearing protection can be used, and in exceptionally loud environments it may be necessary to wear both.
Eye Protection: Protective eyewear, including safety glasses and goggles, are rated in accordance with the ANSI Z87.1 Standard. Eyewear that meets this standard of impact resistance will be marked on the lens. Safety glasses should fit close to the face to prevent particles from entering around them. If you wear prescription glasses, there are over-the-glass models available. You should wear chemical splash goggles when working with liquid hazards; goggles with indirect vents will be more comfortable for extended wear. Protective lenses are available in a variety of colors. Amber lenses are good for low lighting, indoor/outdoor lenses provide slight tinting and are a good option for many dairy workers, and gray lenses reduce light and glare. Special filtering lenses are needed when welding, cutting, soldering, and brazing.
Other factors to take into consideration when selecting PPE are fit and comfort, so try a few styles and see what works for you. For a copy of NYCAMH’s PPE selection guide, or to speak to a staff member regarding PPE call 800.343.7527 and select 3 from the directory.
