VI - 17.13(A) - UMB POLICY ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

(Approved by the President, March 11, 2002)

I. PURPOSE

To define the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) policy on Personal Protective Equipment.

II. APPLICABLE REGULATION

29 CFR 1910.132, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for General Industry.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF UMB SCHOOLS AND UNITS

It is the responsibility of UMB schools and units to:

• Purchase all required PPE;
• Ensure that this policy is complied with by all personnel .

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (EHS)

It is the responsibility of EHS to:

• Review and update this policy so that it is current with all regulations and technologies;
• Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with this policy;
• Conduct training sessions on how to comply with this policy;
• When requested, assist in the proper selection of PPE;
• Maintain hazard assessment records and records of employees who have been trained in the use of personal protective equipment V. HAZARD ASSESSMENT AND EQUIPMENT SELECTION

Schools and units shall assess their workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE. If hazards are present, or likely to be present, schools and units shall:

• Require each affected employee to use PPE that will protect the employee from the identified hazards;
• Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee;
• Select personal protective equipment that properly fits each affected employee.

Schools and units shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person making the certification, and the date(s) of the hazard assessment(s). Copies of hazard assessments shall be forwarded to EHS.

VI. DEFECTIVE OR DAMAGED EQUIPMENT

Defective or damaged PPE shall not be used.

VII. TRAINING

Schools and units shall provide the following training to each employee who is required to wear PPE:

• The conditions in which PPE is required;
• What kind of PPE is required;
• How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE;
• The limitations of PPE;
• The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of PPE.

Each employee shall demonstrate an understanding of this training and shall be able to properly use PPE before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE. When there is reason to believe that an employee who has already been trained does not have an understanding of the above training or the skill to properly use PPE, the employee must be retrained. Schools and units shall verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name and social security number of each employee trained, the date(s) of training, and the subject of the certification. A copy of this certification shall be forwarded to EHS.

Non exempt employees should consult the Memorandum of Understanding for the Non-exempt Employee Unit, Article 14 Uniforms and Employment, Section 4, Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPCE).