| Establishment: | Vice-Chancellor. March 2009 |
| Last Amended: | n/a |
| Nature of Amendment: | New procedures |
| Date Last Reviewed: | Next review due March 2013 |
| Responsible Officer: | Director, Human Resources |
Flinders University
Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing Procedures
Table of Contents
1. Purpose
These procedures outline the responsibilities and practices for the use of personal protective equipment and clothing (PPEC) whenever it has been identified as a hazard control measure.
2. Scope
These procedures apply to all staff, students, visitors and contractors at all workplaces owned, managed or controlled by Flinders University. The procedures also apply to University fieldtrips.
3. Definitions
For the purpose of these procedures the following definitions apply:
| Hierarchy of Control | The priority order for the types of measures to be used to control hazards. |
| Personal Protective Equipment and clothing (PPEC) | Safety equipment and clothing to be used whenever it has been identified as a hazard control measure. |
| Managers | Heads of School or Department, Research Centre Directors, Division and Unit Managers. |
| Supervisors | Academic and professional staff with responsibility for the management or supervision of staff, students or facilities. |
4. Responsibilities
| Cost Centre Heads | Responsible for ensuring that
|
| Managers and Supervisors | Responsible for
|
| Staff | Responsible for
|
| Students, Contractors and Visitors | Responsible for
|
5. Hazard Control
The University requires that hazards are managed in accordance with the principles and standards outlined in its Hazard Management Policy.
On the basis of the risk assessment of teaching, research and operational activities, hazards must be eliminated or, where that is not reasonably practicable, minimized using the Hierarchy of Controls.
PPEC may be used to provide interim or short-term solutions in a planned programme to eliminate or reduce a particular hazard, or they may be useful to support other control measures. However they are not a preferred control method.
6. Selection of PPEC
6.1 PPEC must be
- appropriate to the task and level of risk;
- used in every situation where the need has been identified;
- selected, used and maintained in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard; and
- selected and where necessary, fitted to suit the individual user.
6.2 Proof of compliance with the relevant Australian Standard is a prerequisite for the purchase of any PPEC.
7. Use of PPEC
7.1 Fitting
Correct fit is essential for the correct operation of PPEC and must be checked before the PPEC is used. This is particularly important for respiratory devices where a good facial seal is required.
7.2 Instruction and training
Staff, students and visitors must be instructed in the correct way to use the PPEC. Instruction should include the need for the PPEC, its basic design principles (where appropriate), its application and limitations.
7.3 Maintenance of PPEC
All PPEC must be maintained, tested and stored according to the manufacturer’s requirements. The PPEC must be kept in a clean, hygienic and effective condition.
When not in use, PPEC must be stored in a convenient, accessible and appropriate manner.
7.4 Issuing of PPEC
All staff, students and visitors must be issued with PPEC when required, except that undergraduate students may be required to provide their own laboratory coats.
Staff who normally wear prescription lenses and who are employed on work where eye protection is needed may be reimbursed by their Cost Centre for the actual expenditure incurred for the hardening of prescription lenses.
Contractors are required to provide their own PPEC.
7.5 Review and evaluation
The adequacy of PPEC must be assessed regularly to ensure that personal injuries are not occurring.
8. Legal & Policy Framework
South Australian legislation:
Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Act 1986
Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 2010
Where University staff are working in University premises in other States or Territories, the following legislation applies:
Victoria
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007
Northern Territory
Workplace Health & Safety Act 2007
Workplace Health & Safety Regulations 2008
Flinders University policies and guidelines (which apply at all University premises regardless of location):
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Policy
Hazard Management Policy
Hazard Management Guidelines
Standards Australia Online
Standards Australia Online is available to Flinders University staff and students. It provides access to every Australian Standard, anytime you can access the Web. Standards are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format
SAI Global SAA HB9 – 1994 Occupational personal protection
AS/NZS 1269.3: 2005 Occupational noise management – Hearing protection
AS/NZS 1270 Acoustics – hearing protectors
AS/NZS 1336 Recommended practices for occupational eye protection
AS/NZS 1337.4: 2004 Personal eye protection – Filters and eye protectors against laser radiation (laser eye protectors)
AS/NZS 1337.5: 2004 Personal eye protection – Eye protectors for adjustment work on lasers and laser systems (laser adjustment eye protectors)
AS/NZS 1337.6: 2007 Personal eye protection – Prescription eye protectors against low and medium impact
AS/NZS 1338: 1992 Filters for eye protectors
AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices
AS/NZS 1716: 2003 Respiratory protective devices
AS/NZS 1800: 1998 Occupational protective helmets – Selection, care and use
AS/NZS 1801: 1997 Occupational protective helmets
AS/NZS 1891.4: 2000 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Selection, use and maintenance
AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves
AS/NZS 2210 Occupational protective footwear
AS/NZS 2225: 1994 Insulating gloves for electrical purposes
AS/NZS 2243 Safety in laboratories
AS/NZS ISO 2801: 2008 Clothing and protection against heat and flame – General recommendations for selection, care and use of protective clothing
AS/NZS 4399:1996 Sun protective clothing – Evaluation and classification
AS/NZS 4453.3: 1997 Protective clothing for users of chain saws – Protective leg wear
AS/NZS 4543 Protective devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation
AS/NZS 4602:1999 High visibility safety garments
AS/NZS ISO 6529: 2006 Protective clothing – Protection against chemicals – Determination of resistance of protective clothing materials to permeation by liquids and gases
9. Review
These procedures will be reviewed regularly in the light of legislative and organisational changes, and in any case, every four years.
NOTE: Printed versions of this are not controlled. For the latest version, please check the University's online policies and procedures manual.
