Page 46 - PPE GUIDELINE

Guidelines on the Use of PPE Against Chemical Hazards

4.6. Disposal

Disposal of damaged, defective or worn out personal protective equipment should be
done in a manner that do not posed a hazard not only to the employees handling the
disposed equipment but also to the operators of the disposal site or even the public.

The disposed equipment should be packed in a suitable packaging and be labelled if
necessary. Equipment contaminated with carcinogen or toxic substances, such as
respirators worn in asbestos contaminated environment, and should be properly
labelled to warn workers handling the disposed item of the dangers or risks involved.
Workers should use suitable personal protective equipment when handling these
contaminated personal protective equipment or clothing.

Please consult the Department of Environment for disposal of contaminated personal
protective equipment or clothing.

4.7. Record keeping

Keeping records of the programme is important in that it is essential as an evidence of
the employers discharging of his responsibilities in protecting his employees. Records
of assessment, issuance and training of the employees should be kept either for legal
purposes or for purpose of reviewing the programme. For health risk assessment the
USECHH Regulations 2000 stipulates the assessment report be kept for a period of at
least 30 years. For other records, they should be kept for period of at least as long as
the employees are employed with the company. A sample of the record format is
given in Appendix 3.

4.8. Review of Programme

The PPE programme should be reviewed from time to time especially whenever there
are changes to the overall safety & health policy or whenever a reassessment of the
chemical health risk had been undertaken or whenever there are evidence that the use
of PPE has not been effective in protecting the health of the workers at the place of
work that has caused injury or health issues.

4.9. Worker Cooperation

Since PPE, are in most instances, are personal issues the user or wearer need to
cooperate with the programme administrator in order for PPE programme to be
effective. Cooperation of workers is required in the following areas:
a) Selection of suitable PPE;
b) Instruction, training & education sessions;
c) Proper use of PPE; and
d) Care and maintenance of PPE.

Department of Occupational Safety & Health, Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia ™October 2005 46