Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Unit 7:  Ag Health 101

Oct. 6, 2023 – This is a Working Draft

In this unit, the goal is to help listeners become familiar with different types of personal protective equipment (PPE) being used in agricultural settings, what needs to be considered for selection and recommendation of PPE, as well as guidance on precautions, care, and maintenance of various PPE categories.

Chapter 1: Introduction to PPE and Control Options

This introductory chapter will define what is meant by “PPE”.  We will then discuss how PPE fits into control selection and prioritization when we are wanting to protect workers. This chapter will help listeners build a foundation to discuss PPE controls in the following chapters.

Chapter 2: PPE Categories and Hazards to Consider

The goal of this chapter is for listeners to gain a broad understanding of the variety of components that need to be considered when selecting PPE, such as body part affected, level of PPE protection, hazardous exposure present, and the associated standards of certain PPE.

Chapter 3: Chemical Protective Clothing

When we begin discussing chemical protection, we need to know how to make glove (or fabric) selections based on the chemical being used to ensure the most appropriate material for a chemical resistant glove is being selected. This chapter will highlight considerations in chemical protective clothing selection and provide resources for listeners to become familiar with manufacturer glove charts.

Chapter 4: Chemical Protective Clothing, Selection Example –  Permethrin

In this chapter, the process for making a glove selection will be demonstrated. Listeners will be walked through glove selection decisions for a commonly used insecticide, permethrin.

Chapter 5: Respiratory Protection 

Key concerns for ensuring the correct respirator is selected are highlighted in this chapter. The information presented in this chapter is framed so that the listener understands the most important information for assessing whether a farmworker is adequately protected.

Chapter 6: Respirators on the Farm 

The previous chapter discussed the steps that need to be taken to select the correct respirator for a given contaminant. In this chapter, we will focus on farm-relevant exposures that may necessitate wearing a respirator.

Chapter 7: Respiratory Protection Program

This chapter explains the Respiratory Protection Program, which is a set of systems that need to be in place if workers are required to wear respirators at work. The chapter will discuss components of a written program and provide resources with checklists and templates for formalizing a program.

Chapter 8: PPE Assessment Process, with On-Farm Example

This chapter introduces the PPE Hazard Assessment. Through an example provided, listeners will be walked through the process for completing this assessment and can then use this process when discussing work-related hazards with farmworkers and recommending the appropriate clothing or equipment that can help reduce the risk of injury or illness from such hazards.

Bonus Chapter: PPE Tool

The purpose of this bonus chapter is to provide listeners with an interactive tool to help illustrate discussions about what PPE is being worn on the farm and additional suggestions. With the associated handouts, you will be able to walk a worker through the PPE Hazard Assessment checklist to discuss different hazards by body part and identify PPE to reduce risk of injury or illness.

Supporting Material File: Click On the Image Below to Download

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