Safety Spotlight - To Keep Employees Safe
September 13, 2018 - 08:04 AM
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This month we are focusing on how to protect employees from hazards in the workplace through use of appropriate PPE for the job. Please share this Safety Spotlight with staff to increase awareness and promote safe, injury-free working environments.
Personal Protective Equipment for Schools
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn to limit the exposure hazard when working with hazardous chemicals or bodily fluids. School sites are unique work places as exposure incidents involving bodily fluid cleanup or the use of chemicals can occur quite frequently. The following highlights some of the PPE that could be used in each of your schoolsite’s department. These items should be well stocked and monitored frequently to ensure that items have not expired.Remember to always read through the manufacturer’s use recommendations prior to putting on PPE.
Nurse/First Aid
These positions will have the highest frequency of contact with bodily fluid (blood, saliva, etc.). When working with students with cuts/wounds it is important to always first put on latex/nitrile gloves on both hands to create a safebarrier from the child’s bodily fluid and your skin. Common types of PPE for this department include:
- Gloves (latex, nitrile, etc.)
- Face shield
- Apron/smock
- Safety glasses
Custodial/Maintenance
Custodial/Maintenance staff often work with chemicals that have hazardous properties. Additionally, these departments work with equipment that can be loud and can cause damage to employee hearing if the proper protection is not used. When handling chemicals, it is important to refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to fully understand the hazards and to identify the proper PPE required when working with the chemical. Additional PPE that may be utilized by the Custodial/Maintenance department include:
- Safety glasses/goggles
- Non-slip boots
- Hearing protection (earplugs, ear muffs, semi insert earplugs)
- Respirators/dust mask
- Gloves (latex, nitrile gloves, leather, etc.)
- Apron/smock
Educational Staff
Faculty, Instructors and Educational Support Staff share similar exposures as Nurses and health aids; they are often the first to respond to any student injuries or illnesses. In these instances, educational staff must remember to keep the safety barrier between themselves and any type of bodily fluid they may be handling. They must also protect themselves from other instructional hazards such as chemicals or power equipment. Examples of PPE Educational Staff may need include:
- Gloves (latex, nitrile, etc.)
- Apron/smock
- Protective eyewear