CHESS Engineering controls, which
eliminate the hazard at the source and do not rely on the worker's
behavior for their effectiveness, offer the best and most reliable means
of safeguarding. Therefore, engineering controls must be the employer's
first choice for eliminating machinery hazards. But whenever an extra
measure of protection is necessary, operators must wear protective
clothing or personal protective equipment.
If it is to provide adequate protection, the protective clothing and
equipment selected must always be:
1. appropriate for the particular hazards;
2. maintained in good condition;
3. properly stored when not in use, to prevent damage or loss; and
4. kept clean and sanitary.
Protective clothing is, of course, available for different parts of the
body. Hard hats can protect the head from the impact of bumps and
falling objects when the worker is handling stock; caps and hair nets
can help keep the worker's hair from being caught in machinery. If
machine coolants could splash or particles could fly into the operator's
eyes or face, then face shields, safety goggles, glasses, or similar
kinds of protection might be necessary. Hearing protection may be needed
when workers operate noisy machinery. To guard the trunk of the body
form cuts or impacts from heavy or rough-edged stock, there are certain
protective coveralls, jackets, vests, aprons, and full-body suits.
Workers can protect their hands and arms from the same kinds of injury
with special sleeves and gloves. Safety shoes and boots, or other
acceptable foot guards, can shield the feet against injury in case the
worker needs to handle heavy stock which might drop.
It is important to note that protective clothing and equipment
themselves can create hazards. A protective glove which can become
caught between rotating parts, or a respirator face piece which hinders
the wearer's vision, for example, require alertness and careful
supervision whenever they are used.
Other aspects of the worker's dress may present additional safety
hazards. Loose-fitting clothing might possibly become entangled in
rotating spindles or other kinds of moving machinery. Jewelry, such as
bracelets and rings, can catch on machine parts or stock and lead to
serious injury by pulling a hand into the danger area.
