Question 5 of 7: Personal Protective Equipment

Question 5: Personal Protective Equipment (20 marks: 6/7/7)

Question text not reproduced: the examination questions are © Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Open the official past paper (linked at the top of this page) to read the question, then follow the worked solution below.

(i) Principles for Selecting PPE

• Use only after higher controls (last line of defence); match to the hazard (from a hazard assessment; certified/rated); ensure proper fit (fit-test respirators); comfortable and compatible with other PPE; create no new hazard; and support with training, maintenance and enforcement.

(ii) Eye and Face Protection Devices

• Safety glasses with side shields (impact); goggles (dust/splash/chemical); face shields (full-face splash/debris, over glasses/goggles); welding helmets/goggles with shade filters; laser safety glasses (wavelength-specific).

(iii) Respiratory Protection

• Air-purifying respirators — filter contaminants: particulate facepieces (N95), half/full-face with filters/cartridges, PAPR.
• Atmosphere-supplying respirators — supplied-air (airline) and SCBA, for oxygen-deficient/IDLH atmospheres.
• Selection depends on contaminant, concentration, oxygen level and protection factor; air-purifying types must never be used in oxygen-deficient/unknown atmospheres.