Question 1 of 8: Personal Protective Equipment

Question 1: Personal Protective Equipment (10 marks)

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.

(a) and (b)(i) Four Hazards and the Equipment to Be Worn

• Flying particles / impact to the eyes (grinding, machining) → safety glasses with side shields, goggles or a face shield (impact-rated).
• Excessive noise (machinery) → hearing protection: earplugs or earmuffs of adequate attenuation.
• Airborne dust, fume or vapour (paint spraying, chemical cleaning) → respiratory protection: a filtering facepiece/cartridge respirator, or supplied-air respirator where oxygen-deficient or highly toxic.
• Falling objects / head impact and foot injury → hard hat and steel-toe safety boots; and for chemical/abrasion hazards to the hands, appropriate gloves.

(b)(ii) and (b)(iii) Availability and Wearing, and Other Safety Factors

PPE must be provided by the employer at no cost, in the correct sizes, and readily available at the point of use, with a hazard assessment establishing what is required for each task. Its use must be mandatory and enforced in designated areas, supported by training in how, when and why to wear it, its limitations, and how to inspect and store it. Because PPE is the last line of defence, it supplements—never replaces—elimination and engineering controls.

Other safety factors: the equipment must be appropriate to the specific hazard and certified/rated for it; properly fitted (e.g., respirators fit-tested, as a poor seal defeats the protection); made of suitable, durable, compatible materials (chemical-resistant gloves matched to the chemical); comfortable enough to be worn for the whole task (uncomfortable PPE is removed or misused); it must not create a new hazard or unduly impair vision, mobility or communication; and it must be maintained, inspected and replaced when damaged. Different items must be compatible (e.g., glasses not breaking an earmuff seal).