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All Mines |
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Personal Protective Equipment |
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MSHA's Occupational Illness and Injury Prevention Program
Health Ideas
"Wear Your Personal Protective Equipment, And Keep it Clean!"
PDF Version
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In addition to the use of engineering and administrative controls to reduce exposures to permissible levels, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to supplement these measures. In fact, for a few occupations, PPE may be your only means of protection. The following tips are for the use of respiratory protection in the mining industry.
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- To protect yourself from hazardous atmospheres, carefully evaluate your environment and the task to be performed.
- Choose the appropriate respirator to protect you against the hazard and anticipated exposure levels:
- Single-use vs. half-facepiece vs. full-facepiece
- Air-purifying vs. atmosphere-supplying.
- Use the correct cartridge: dust vs. mist vs. organic vapor vs. combination.
- Be sure that the cartridges are not expired.
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- Contact your Respiratory Protection Program Coordinator for assistance.
- Always inspect your respirator before use. Alert your supervisor and replace your respirator if you find a crack, puncture, tear, leak, or unusual condition.
- Be sure you are trained in the use and maintenance of the respiratory protection.
- Clean and maintain respirators per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Check the facepiece-to-face seal each time you wear your respirator. Proper facepeice fit is critical.
- Shave your face. Facial hair (and head bands, bandannas or other objects that interfere with the seal) must be removed prior to wearing your respirator.
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