Know this: while Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) remains the last line of defense, it should not be assumed that it will be a substitute for other safety measures in place. In essence, PPE is one element of the last control measures that the user is subjected to under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. In other words, all safety measures are structured in a hierarchy of controls where PPE sits very low. This is why context and the appropriate use of the term ‘control measure’ is important, as it sets the tone for the intent of the communication: The control measures must work, and they have to do so at various levels of safety protocols. Through this blog, the reader will also be able to understand the critical purpose of CNA training in equally addressing safety measures by using the hierarchical concept of control.

Control Measures – Hierarchy of Controls – Structure in Order of Effectiveness

The OSHA’s guidelines containing the hierarchy of controls, aid in the comprehension and permit an employee to operate with complicated safety controls in a step-by-step format. The guidelines embody five steps that aim at eliminating and or controlling potential exposure or risk to employees during work. They are as follows:

1. Elimination - This is the best control measure where the hazard is taken out completely from the area of work.

2. Substitution – This is the process of replacing a material or an operation with a safer material or operation.

3. Engineering Controls: Also called exposure controls, such controls may include changes to equipment or ways of working so as to reduce or remove the risk (e.g., ventilation systems).

4. Administrative Controls: These are changes to the way work is done or to work time schedules to minimize exposure to risks (e.g., rotating workers).

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The last resort if the three above measures are inadequate or not practical.

While PPE is necessary to shield workers from risks, it must not be the primary or, even worse, the sole means of protection. Rather, it is left for cases where all others have been implemented or cannot be that easily. It is important to appreciate this absolutely as OSHA training online does – it enlightens workers to the instances when PPE is needed and how to put it on.

The Role of PPE in OSHA Safety Measures 

There are some aspects that need to be highlighted when determining the role of safety gear in safety at work, which Thanksgiving classify as limitations. It forms a barrier between the worker and the risk factor but does not get rid of or control the risk factor. Take hand gloves for example which shield the hands from disturbing chemicals but do not get rid of the dangerous elements in the environment. It is instructive to also note that such equipment works best with other safety levels of the hierarchy.

By enrolling in OSHA courses or watching the OSHA webinars, employees understand how to choose the right PPE for their job roles. They further appreciate how PPE should only be used as protection after the initial attack on the hazard source.

Why Placing Reliance on PPE is Not Advisable

This overreliance on PPE is a terrible idea as it puts the workers at more risk than before; it is akin to painting blindfolded. Workers only use PPE if it’s necessary, which is seldom the case. PPE’s performance gets compromised due to improper care, or when the hazard surpasses the extent of protection offered by the PPE. Wearing PPE also restricts comfortable movement, so when it isn’t needed, most likely, workers will opt to not wear it. Therefore, adopting PPE as the final alternative is best so that, first, projecting clearly defined controls risk is mitigated. 

OSHA Certificate courses make it a point to recognize the accuracy of this statement. Training that emphasizes the use of PPE more than why it is needed in the broader safety measures context. It’s vital to have a complete understanding of the hierarchy of controls when using PPE, as it ensures that the PPE is used in the right manner at the right time.

Integrating Additional Safety Measures with PPE

Although PPE plays a critical role among the primary safety measures, it is at its most useful when utilized with other preventive measures. For instance:

• Whenever possible, attempt to eliminate dangerous materials or methods or replace them with safer ones that do not require PPE. There is no reason to wear a mask if the chemical can be substituted for a less socially unacceptable one.

• To the extent that people can be protected by improved ventilation or changes to the design of machines, such engineering modifications would reduce the need for personal protection equipment quite substantially.

• Safe work habits and training are examples of administrative controls intended to enhance the role of PPE in protecting workers by making them understand the associated risks and how to avoid them.

Offer remote training to OSHA certified teachers, set up an online office classroom for all safety protocols so the workers know exactly when and how to set the right combination of controls.

Conclusion

PPE is essential for any work environment; however, it must not be seen as the sole protective measure. It is important to understand the role of PPE in reducing risk in the workplace as well as the concept of the hierarchy of controls as set out by OSHA. Enrolling for OSHA online training should provide assurance that the order of application of the safe procedures will be the appropriate one, thus bringing into effect maximum safety with minimum chances of risk.

To help you understand your obligations as a worker or an employer to comply with the OSHA requirements, it is possible to provide information through the following OSHA online courses and OSHA online training programs. Remember, PPE is just one piece of the puzzle; using it in combination with sound engineering controls, administrative changes, and hazard controls will create a safer and better OSHA-compliant workplace.