To: Supervisors of persons who may be required to use Personal Protective Equipment

From: Dick Bartosh 

Date: March 26, 2008

Re: Hazard Assessment Certification 

Many jobs at UW-Stevens Point require the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Hazard assessments are part of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program requirements. The PPE rule states that the employer (principal investigator, instructor, maintenance and custodial supervisors, or laboratory manager) must assess physical and chemical hazards to which employees may be exposed. Then, based on the hazard assessment, a determination is made as to whether PPE is required, and if required, the exact kind of PPE needed to protect the employee.

The employee is then trained to properly inspect, use, and, perhaps, clean the PPE. A written certification must be kept of the hazard assessment and the employee training must be documented.

See examples from the Appleton Area School District: http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/fo/Policies/007-Personal_Protective_Equipment/Personal_Protective_Equipment.htm

Please see the attachment for further information on completing these hazard assessments. Please see page 20 of 23 for examples of Certification forms that may be used.  All UWSP Supervisors are required to complete and certify written Hazard Assessments for any position in your area that may require the use of personal protective equipment.  These are to be completed by April 30 and a copy sent to me with the original maintained by the department. Let me know if you have questions. I will be glad to help you with these. 

OSHA Regulation Summary:

1910.132(d)

Hazard assessment and equipment selection.

1910.132(d)(1)

The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:

1910.132(d)(2)

The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.