Protective Clothing & Equipment Committee Goals and Objectives


Goal 1: Assemble, evaluate & disseminate to occupational and environmental professionals information relevant to preventing harmful skin contact with chemical, physical, or biological agents.

Goal 2: To provide EH&S professionals guidance and support in the selection, use, and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

Plans In Support of Goals 1 and 2

Goal 1: Assemble, evaluate & disseminate to occupational and environmental professional(s) information relevant to preventing harmful skin contact with chemical, physical, or biological agents.

2003-2005 Plans

1.Develop a selection and deployment strategy, which addresses Flame Resistant Protective Apparel (flash fire), and (electrical arc - NFPA 70E).  Also develop a strategy for managing exposure where simultaneous protection for both chemical contact and flash fire hazards exist.

2. Identify and/or develop tactical tools for AIHA membership use

• Checklists for proper use and selection of PPE
• Example PPE Program Audits
• Web Based PPE Training
• Web Based PPE linkages (e.g., manufacturer permeation tables)

3. Develop a training package, which provides for the education of management on PPE rights and responsibilities.  (Primer for field managers on expectations of a properly implemented PPE program.)

Goal 2: To provide EH&S professionals guidance and support in the selection, use, and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

2003-2005 Plans

1. Complete the development of the Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC) Book authored by PC&E members

2. Continue the support and development of PDCs, which provide guidance and information on the selection, use, and maintenance of PPE.  Provide handouts that reinforce selection strategies mentioned in items #4, 5 and 6 below.

3. Initiate contact and build a collaborative relationship with other AIHA and ASSE Technical Committees that currently provide support for the selection and deployment of all forms of PPE.

a) AIHA Committees:

• Ergonomics Committee
• Noise Committee (Hearing Protection)
• Respiratory Protection Committee (Respirators)
• Nonionizing Radiation Committee
• Emergency Response Planning Committee
• Confined Spaces Committee

b) ASSE Committees:

• Fall Protection
• Eye Protection
• Foot Protection
• Head Protection

4. A matrix will be created that documents the current selection strategies for all forms of Personal Protective Equipment.  Other committees (AIHA and ASSE) will then use this resource to document PPE selection strategy for their technical area.  This effort will initially focus on strategies in the United States with future effort towards a global work product.

5.Performance testing and specification requirements will be documented for all forms of PPE.  This document will allow EH&S personnel to qualify PPE for use at their facilities. This effort will initially focus on strategies in the United States with future effort towards a global work product.

A tactical tool will be developed and shared with the AIHA membership that permits EH&S professions to document their selection of approved equipment against multiple hazards identified in the work environment.