Page 8 - PPE GUIDELINE

Guidelines on the Use of PPE Against Chemical Hazards

Use of Approved Personal Protective Equipment

USECHH Regulations 2000: Regulation 16 states that

(1) Approved personal protective equipment shall be used-
a) where the application of control measures specified in paragraphs
15(1)(a) to (g) would be impracticable;
b) as an interim measure while other preferred control measures are
being designed and installed; or
c) where the measures taken to comply with paragraphs 15(1)(a) to (g)
do not adequately control an employee’s exposure to chemicals
hazardous to health

(2) Where the approved personal protective equipment is used to control exposure
to chemicals hazardous to health, the employer shall establish and implement
procedures on the issuance, maintenance, inspection and training in the use of the
approved personal protective equipment.

(3) The approved personal protective equipment provided to employees pursuant
to sub regulation (1) shall-
a) be suitable to the type of work in which they are employed;
b) fit the employees;
c) not adversely affect the health or medical condition of the employees;
and
d) be in sufficient supply and readily available to employees who require
it.

The mandatory requirements here are on the use of personal protective equipment that
is approved by the Director General and that its use is seen as the last resort, as an
interim measure, or as to complementary measure to other preferred control measures.
Other requirements include the equipment’s suitability to the work, not prejudicing
the health of the employees and the equipment is readily available for employees to
use.

Compliance with Permissible Exposure Limits Using Respirator

USECHH Regulations 2000: Regulation 8 states that

(1) For the purpose of determining whether the employer has complied with the
permissible exposure limit, the degree of protection afforded by the respirator for
the periods during which the respirator is worn shall be taken into account.

(2) The period referred to in sub regulation (1) shall be averaged with the exposure
level of the airborne concentration during the period when respirators are not
worn to determine the employee’s daily time-weighted; and

Department of Occupational Safety & Health, Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia ™October 2005 8