Faculty of Science
Personal Protective
Equipment Procedure
Version
2.0
TRIM file number
P12/72
FoS document No
Laboratory and Facility Management Procedures
Short description
Procedure for implementation and management of
personal protective equipment in the Faculty of
Science Facilities.
Relevant to
All workers
Authority
This Procedure has been approved by Dean Faculty
of Science under the Governance (Policy and
Procedures) Rule 2005 of the Council and sections
20 and 32 of the CSU Act.
Responsible officer
Manager, University Laboratories
Responsible office
Faculty of Science
Date introduced
November 2013
Next scheduled review date
November 2016
Related University documents
OHS Policy, CSU Code of Conduct, CSU Risk
Management Policy, CSU Accident/Incident
Guidelines, Faculty of Science Risk Assessment
Procedure, Biosafety Manual
Related legislation/standards
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
AS/NZS 2243 Safety in Laboratories (Parts 1-10)
AS/NZS 1269.3 Occupational noise
management – Part 3:Hearing protection
program
AS/NZS1270:2002 Acoustic – hearing protectors
ASNZS 1336:1997 Recommended practices for
occupational eye protection
AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and
maintenance of respiratory protective
equipment
AS/NZS 1801:1997 Occupational protective
helmets
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational protective
gloves- Selection Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 2210.1:2010 Occupational protective
footwear- Guide to selection care and use
AS/NZS 2210.3:2009 Occupational protective
footwear Specification for Safety Footwear
FoS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure
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Key words
1.
Procedure, gloves, gown, footwear, fully enclosed,
mask, hearing protection, safety vest, harness,
boots, face shield, goggles, safety glasses,
coveralls, helmets, safety boots, signage
PURPOSE
In accordance with the CSU Occupational Health and Safety Policy, CSU Risk
Management Policy and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 the Faculty of Science
(FoS) will do whatever is reasonably practicable to ensuring health and safety. Central
to achieving this is all workers understand their duty of care responsibilities and the
specialised risks associated with the FoS Facilities. One mechanism for achieving this
is by ensuring all workers understand that the FoS Facilities are potentially high risk
environments and that all Australian Standards relating to personal protective
equipment (PPE) will be implemented as a minimum requirement. This procedure
outlines the implementation and management of PPE in the FoS Facilities.
2. SCOPE
All workers entering the FoS Facilities and off campus localities used for work,
research or study (e.g. field sites and placement facilities).
3.
DEFINITIONS
Australian Standards: Standards are published documents setting out specifications
and procedures designed to ensure products, services and systems are safe, reliable
and consistently perform the way they were intended to. They establish a common
language which defines quality and safety criteria.
Faculty of Science Facilities: all FoS laboratories, specialist teaching spaces and
research areas.
Hierarchy of Risk Control: five main ways to control risks in order of priority:
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Elimination – remove the hazard
Substitution – equipment/materials
Isolation – reduce exposure
Redesign – work methods
Administration – work practices including training, signage, supervision etc.
PPE – gloves, glasses, clothing, footwear etc.
Minimum Standard: Lowest acceptable criteria/control that must be used to mitigate a
risk. Minimum standards may be set by risk assessment, safe work procedure,
industry guidelines, Australian Standards, Legislation, Health regulations and
guidelines etc.
PPE: personal protective equipment.
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Reasonably practicable: in relation to a duty to ensure health and safety, means that
which is, or was at a particular time, reasonably able to be done in relation to ensuring
health and safety, taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters.
Risk control: taking action to eliminate health and safety risks so far as is reasonably
practicable, and if that is not possible, minimising the risks so far as is reasonably
practicable.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS): provide workers and emergency personnel with
procedures for handling or working with a substance in a safe manner, and includes
information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.),
toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment and
spill-handling procedures.
Worker: is someone who carries out work in any capacity for the business or
undertaking, they include:
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4.
Employees
Labour hire staff
Students
Volunteers
Apprentices
Contractors
Self employed people
PROCEDURE
4.1 Responsibilities
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Worker -The Facility/Laboratory Manager is responsible for:
The implementation, compliance and record keeping outlined in this procedure.
Ensuring appropriate risk assessments (see Risk Assessment Procedure) are
completed and the outcomes implemented.
Placement of appropriate signage.
Ensuring appropriate and maintained PPE is available.
Ensuring adequate induction, training, instruction and supervision of workers where
the wearing of PPE is required.
Ensuring health monitoring is completed and documented when required.
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Workers - Technical Staff are responsible for:
Ensuring PPE is used compliantly.
Taking reasonable care for their and other workers health and safety.
Requesting training if required.
Advising the Facility/Laboratory Manager of PPE requirements.
Developing risk assessments in accordance with the Risk Assessment Procedure.
Reporting hazards, incidents and near misses in accordance with CSU OHS policy.
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Workers - Students are responsible for:
FoS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure
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Following the FoS laboratories and specialist teaching spaces student induction
information.
Complying with all safety directives and instructions from academic and technical
staff.
Following standard operating procedures / safe work procedures when using PPE.
Taking reasonable care for their and other workers health and safety.
Reporting hazards, incidents and near misses in accordance with CSU OHS policy.
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Workers - Department of Facilities Management
Ensure all workers follow PPE requirements.
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5.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
For all activities conducted in FoS Facilities and off campus localities used for work,
research or study (e.g. field sites and placement facilities) a risk assessment shall be
completed in accordance with the Risk Assessment Procedure. All risk assessments will
take into account the minimum PPE requirements as detailed in relevant Australian
Standards and SDS information.
Common Australian Standards that should be consulted when deciding the most
appropriate PPE include, but are not restricted to:
 AS/NZS 2243 Safety in Laboratories (Parts 1-10)
 AS/NZS 1269.3 Occupational noise management – Part 3: Hearing protection
program
 AS/NZS1270 Acoustic – hearing protectors
 ASNZS 1336 Recommended practices for occupational eye protection
 AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protection devices
 AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets
 AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves
 AS/NZS 2210 Occupational protective footwear
All PPE purchased shall meet Australian Standards, Australian Guidelines for the
Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2010) and NSW Health Infection
Control Guidelines. All PPE shall be used and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions. Records of workers competency in the use of PPE should be
maintained with training records.
5.1 Clothing
Protective clothing appropriate to the task being undertaken shall be worn. A risk
assessment and SDS information will determine what is appropriate for the activity
being undertaken. Some considerations:
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Rear-fastening wrap-around gowns and laboratory coats are recommended for
general laboratory work.
FoS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure
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o
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Rear-fastening wrap-around gowns are most appropriate for activities
involving biological risk, such as working with microorganisms, bio-fluids
(blood, urine, faeces and sputum), viruses etc.
o Laboratory coats which are generally made of sturdy cotton material and are
easy to remove quickly are most appropriate for activities that predominantly
involve chemical risk, especially flammable and corrosive substances.
Some chemical use (e.g. hydrofluoric acid) will require the wearing of a laboratory
coat/gown and a splash apron made out of natural rubber, neoprene or viton.
Protective clothing should not be laundered domestically.
Protective clothing should be removed before exiting facilities.
Protective clothing used in PC2 facilities should be autoclaved or chemically
disinfected before removal for laundering.
See the Waste Management Guidelines for disposal guidelines.
5.2 Eye and face protection
In laboratories eye and face protection appropriate to the task being undertaken shall
be worn (AS/NZS 2243.1-2005 section 4.2.1) A risk assessment, SDS information
and the AS/NZS 1336 will determine what is appropriate for the activity being
undertaken or can justify lesser requirements. Some considerations:
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Sources of danger include mechanisms such as impact, splashing of liquid, foreign
particle entry and radiation.
Contact lenses or prescription glasses are never to be used as eye protection.
Face protection i.e. a face shield should be used:
o Where glass apparatus is evacuated, recharged with gas or pressurised.
o When pouring corrosive liquid.
o When using cryogenic fluids.
o When combustion processes are being used.
o Where there is a risk of explosion or implosion.
o When using chemicals that can cause direct damage to the skin.
o When using chemicals and biological agents that can be rapidly absorbed into
the body via any path.
A risk assessment may be completed to determine if the minimum standards can be
altered for specific activities.
5.3 Hearing protection
Hearing protection appropriate to the task being undertaken shall be worn. A risk
assessment and AS/NZS1270 Acoustic – hearing protectors will determine what is
appropriate for the activity being undertaken.
5.4 Gloves
Gloves appropriate to the task being undertaken shall be worn. A risk assessment,
SDS information and AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves will determine
what is appropriate for the activity being undertaken. Allergic reactions and
FoS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure
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hypersensitivity may occur when using latex gloves. Alternatives such as nitrile and
vinyl gloves should be used if problems occur.
5.5 Safety footwear
Safety footwear appropriate to the task being undertaken shall be worn. A risk
assessment, SDS information and AS/NZS 2210 Occupational protective footwear
will determine what is appropriate for the activity being undertaken. Some
considerations:
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As a minimum closed-in, non-slip and non-permeable footwear should be worn (see
diagram 1).
Shoes made of absorbent material or woven fabric (e.g. most types of runners,
joggers and tennis shoes) should not be worn in laboratories where exposure to
corrosives or chemicals that are easily absorbed through the skin could occur.
Anyone wearing thongs, open-toed and/or open-heeled shoes will not be permitted
into the FSc Facilities.
A risk assessment may be completed to determine if the minimum standards can be
altered for specific activities.
Diagram 1 Type A (low shoe) minimum enclosed footwear standard from AS/NZS 2210.3
5.6 Respiratory protection
Respiratory protection appropriate to the task being undertaken shall be worn. A risk
assessment, SDS information and AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of
respiratory protection devices will determine what is appropriate for the activity being
undertaken.
5.7 Safety helmets
Safety helmets appropriate to the task being undertaken shall be worn. A risk
assessment and AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets will determine what
is appropriate for the activity being undertaken.
5.8 Other personal protection
FoS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure
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Additional PPE requirements will be identified through risk assessments, SDS
information, relevant Australian Standards and individual experience and knowledge.
5.9 PPE signage
Areas that require the use of PPE should have compliant PPE signage.
All FoS Facilities are required to display the FoS door sign on all doors (internal and
external). The sign must include information relevant to the individual space:
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6.0
Potential risks (e.g. chemical, biological etc.)
PPE requirements
Facility Manager and contact details
First Aid Officer and contact details
Building Warden and contact details
Security information
HEALTH MONITORING
Where PPE has been identified for use there may be a requirement for workers to participate
in regular health monitoring.
7.0
REFERENCES and UNIVERSITY RELATED DOCUMENTS
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
AS/NZS 1269.3 Occupational noise management – Part 3: Hearing protection program
AS/NZS1270 Acoustic – hearing protectors
ASNZS 1336 Recommended practices for occupational eye protection
AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protection devices
AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets
AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves
AS/NZS 2210 Occupational protective footwear
CSU Administrative Manual
CSU Legislative Guide
CSU Accident and Incident Guidelines
CSU Biosafety Manual
CSU Code of Conduct
CSU Risk Management Policy
FoS Risk Assessment Procedure
FoS Risk Register Procedure
FoS Waste Management Procedure
CSU OH& S Policy
FoS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure
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8.0
Table of amendments
Version
number
1.0
2.0
Date
07/12
11/13
Authorisation
Kylie Kent
Short description of amendment
Updated after Faculty of Science Review 2013.
FoS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure
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