CHAPTER 3:

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A. Overall Policy 

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B. Protective Clothing 

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1. Policy

The JAC requires that protective clothing be used when chemical, electrical or mechanical hazards, or irritants are encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment through absorption, inhalation, or physical contact. Protective clothing will be provided for these circumstances.

Safety shoes shall be worn by all JAC staff above HP for daywork. Recommendations for safety footwear shall be approved by the Site Safety Advisor. All safety footwear shall comply with the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM International) standard or the most recent standard.  See SSA for additional information.

Reimbursement for steel toe safety shoes or their replacement shall be approved by the Site Safety Advisor.

2. References

CFR 1910 Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment

3. Responsibilities

1. Supervisor
1. Immediately identifies to the Site Safety Advisor all protective clothing new employees shall receive.
2. Ensures all employees use and maintain protective clothing as needed to provide effective protection against identified hazards.
3. Requests approval to purchase safety shoes from the Site Safety Advisor for new employees or as indicated for replacement. Ensures that all employees under their supervision use and maintain safety footwear.
   
 

2. Employee
1. Uses and maintains all protective clothing issued and when necessary suggests additional protection.

3. Site Safety Advisor
1. Assists supervisor in identifying proper protective clothing for JAC work tasks and associated hazards.
2. Arranges for issuance of protective clothing to JAC employees, including approval to purchase safety shoes where appropriate.

4. Procedures

1. Personal protective clothing includes approved masks, gloves, safety shoes and hard hats.
 
2. Requests for all personal protective clothing not available as JAC stock items are generated by the supervisor and are approved by the Site Safety Advisor.
 
3. The protective clothing shall be worn by the employees and visitors as dictated by JAC policy.
   
 
4. Operators of machinery shall wear OSHA approved steel toe safety shoes when working in the JAC Machine Shop.
 
5. Safety shoes shall be worn by all JAC staff above HP for daywork.
 
6. In Hilo, safety shoe areas are recommended by the supervisor and approved by the Site Safety Advisor.
 
7. The employee shall be responsible for the proper cleaning, maintenance and use of the safety shoes.
 
8. Any employee desiring to replace their company issued safety footwear shall request approval via their supervisor from the Site Safety Advisor.
 
9. Hard hats shall be worn in all posted areas during all overhead work (e.g., building construction or renovation areas) and when performing work in which the supervisor, Site Safety Advisor, or Work Leader decides such hazards exist.

10. No markings or stickers that prevent inspection for defects shall be applied to hard hats.  Any hard hat with such markings or stickers shall be removed.
    

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C. Eye Protection 

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1. Policy

All staff shall wear safety glasses whenever a reasonable probability exists of eye injury resulting from the work being performed. Staff shall use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustics, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. 

The provision of UV blocking sunglasses for use on Mauna Kea is covered in Chapter 9 section E.

The Site Safety Advisor will provide consultation regarding the appropriate type of eyewear and where to obtain it. See Chapter 4 section J for further information on laser safety.

2.  Responsibilities

1. Supervisor
1. Responsible for determining when eye protection is needed and what eye protection devices are suitable.
2. Shall ensure that all employees under their direction use appropriate protection when in an active eye hazard area(s).
3. Makes sure visitors to laboratory and shop areas wear eye protection when and where necessary.
4. Suggests areas requiring warning signs concerning required eye protection to Site Safety Advisor.
 
2. Employee
1. Uses proper eye protection as designated by supervisor and Site Safety Advisor at appropriate times and for designated tasks.
2. Suggests additional eye protection areas when necessary.


3. Site Safety Advisor
1. Determines areas that will be designated as eye hazard areas.
2. Assists supervisors in selecting special protective equipment as needed.
3. Arranges for purchases of safety eyewear.
4. Maintains an adequate stock of and issues standard, nonprescription eye protection devices.
5. Approves purchase of safety eyewear.

3.  Types of Eye Protection Equipment

All eye protection devices shall comply with ASTM International standards. When in use as eye protection devices, safety glasses/wraparound safety glasses shall have side shields or be worn with safety goggles that have the same ASTM International approval.

Six types of eye protection devices are available to staff and visitors:

1. Personal prescription safety glasses with side shields, for staff only. Prior approval through the Site Safety Advisor shall be given before one can purchase prescription safety glasses. Staff may claim for the full cost of the prescription safety glasses with side shields if the Site Safety Advisor considers the cost reasonable.

2. Goggles and face shields. These are available at all JAC facilities. See supervisor for storage locations.

3. Temporary nonprescription safety glasses provided to staff and visitors in eye hazard areas.

4. Some common types of laser safety eyewear are available at JAC facilities. See supervisor for storage locations. Users bringing laser equipment to the JAC are responsible for bringing their own eyewear protection.
   

5. Oxygen/Acetylene/electric arc welding safety eyewear. See supervisor for storage locations.

6. UV blocking eyewear. See Chapter 9 section E for the provisions of UV blocking sunglasses for use on Mauna Kea, staff only.

4.  Eligibility for Personal Safety Glasses

All JAC employees who engage in eye hazard operations are eligible to obtain prescription safety glasses or nonprescription safety glasses at JAC expense.

5.  Replacement and repairs

Damaged or broken prescription safety glasses or frames may be replaced, provided the costs are considered reasonable and the SSA gives prior approval.

Prescription lenses may be replaced if the staff’s optometrist recommends a prescription change, provided the costs are considered reasonable and the SSA gives prior approval.

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D. Respiratory Protection Program 

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1. Policy

For some jobs, respiratory protection may be provided as a means to limit exposure.

2. References

29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-116 "NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection"

American National Standards Institute - ANSI-288.2-1992, " Practices for Respiratory Protection"

3. Definitions

1. Respirator

A device provided to protect the wearer from inhalation of harmful or nuisance atmospheres. Respirators may function by air purifying and/or air supplying techniques.

2. Atmospheric Contamination

The term applies to gases such as carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; the vapors of volatile substances such as benzene and carbon tetrachloride; toxic dusts and fumes; radioactive materials.

3. Respirator Fit Test

A test used to determine a proper match or fit between the facepiece of the respirator and face of the wearer.

4. Responsibilities

1. Supervisor

1. Identifies potentially hazardous conditions and immediately notifies the Site Safety Advisor for corrective action.
2. Takes all feasible steps to avoid exposure of staff members to atmospheric contamination.
3. Ensures that their staff completes the OSHA  medical questionnaire (standard 1910.134 Appendix C) and the respirator fit test before using respiratory protection.
4. Provides employees with the respiratory protection appropriate for the operation, and ensures the use of such devices.
   

2. Employee

1. Alerts supervisor and Work Leader immediately if any atmospheric contamination is suspected.
2. Uses respiratory protective equipment as instructed.
3. Stores their respirator properly to prevent damage and inspects prior to each use.
4. Reports any malfunction of respiratory protective equipment to the immediate supervisor.
5. Completes the OSHA medical questionnaire (standard 1910.134 Appendix C). 

3. Site Safety Advisor

1. Develops and administers all aspects of the respiratory protection program.
2. Develops training programs and standard operating procedures to fulfill the requirements of existing OSHA regulations and amendments.
3. Purchases, selects, inspects, maintains, cleans, and stores respiratory protective equipment.
4. Periodically inspects and replaces all respiratory protective devices stored for emergency use.
5. Purchases and maintains respirator fit tester.
6. Maintains respirator training and fitting records.
7. Carries out fit test in accordance with the standard operations procedures below.
8. Issues medical questionnaire to employee and submits completed form to medical evaluator.

5. Voluntary Use of Respirators

The OSHA respirator standard allows the use of respirators without implementing elements of the written respiratory protection program only if it involves the voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators (a.k.a. dust masks). The voluntary use of other types of respirators/masks is NOT ALLOWED.  Even when a filtering facepiece respirator (a.k.a. dust mask) is used staff shall read and comply with the following OSHA standard:

Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134 (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard

Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, "of [sic]" if you  provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.

1. Read and heed all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations.
2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect you.
3.  Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designed to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect  you against gases, vapors, or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke.
4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else's respirator.

6. Procedures

1. Selection

Respirators shall be selected on the basis of the potential hazards to which the worker is exposed. The following factors shall be ascertained by the Site Safety Advisor to ensure that the device selected for the employee will provide satisfactory protection when used properly:
1. Chemical, physical, and toxicological properties of the contaminant(s).
2. Review of actual and potential hazards to assess extent of injurious effects produced under all conditions of potential exposure.
3. Evaluation of the duties to be performed by the wearer as they relate to restriction of movement and duration of potential exposure.
4. An understanding of the principles, design, scope of use, limitations, advantages, and disadvantages of the available respirators to aid in the selection of a particular respirator for a given condition. Respiratory equipment selected will be approved by NIOSH/MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) or will otherwise be in accordance with existing OSHA regulations.

2. Medical Evaluation

Using a respirator may place a strain on some employees. Therefore, OSHA requires medical testing to ensure an employee is fit to wear a respirator. Each employee required to wear a respirator shall complete the OSHA medical questionnaire (standard 1910.134 Appendix C) and submit the questionnaire to a prescribed medical evaluator, who shall determine whether the employee may wear a respirator.  The questionnaire shall be administered confidentially by the employee's supervisor and during normal work hours.
 
3. Fitting

Each individual required to use a respirator of any type will be fitted by the Site Safety Advisor prior to using any such device. The fit test will include a demonstration of proper donning, wearing, and field fit testing techniques, an extensive leak test using a solution of isoamyl acetate as the test vapor and a quantitative fit test using a respirator fit tester. Any individual with a beard or other facial hair that may prevent a proper facepiece-to-face seal will not be fit tested until the hair has been removed. A separate Respirator Fitting and Training Record shall be maintained for each participating individual.
 
4. Training

Appropriate training and instructions in the proper use of each type of respirator shall be provided by the Site Safety Advisor. This training will include, but not be limited to:
1. Methods of fit testing to ensure an effective facepiece to face seal.
2. Actual handling of the respirator and wearing it for a period in a test atmosphere.
3. A discussion of respirators construction, operating principles and limitations.
4. Instruction on the nature of the hazard including information on its physical properties, possible concentrations, modes of physiological action and means of detection.
5. Discussions of maintenance and inspection procedures.
 
5. Maintenance and Inspection
For sanitary and health reasons, disposable respirators shall be used by one individual only and shall be discarded after use.
 
6. Location and Storage of Respirators
Location and storage of all respiratory devices shall be controlled by the Site Safety Advisor. When the need for respiratory equipment is anticipated, approval by the Site Safety Advisor shall be obtained in advance.

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E. Hearing Conservation Program 

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1. Policy

All employees will be protected against the detrimental effects of excessive noise exposure. Feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized when employees are subjected to sound levels exceeding those listed in Table 1. If such controls fail to reduce sound below the levels of Table 1, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce exposures to within permissible levels. If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, the noise is to be considered continuous. In all cases where the noise exposures exceed the values shown in Table 1, a continuing, effective hearing conservation program shall be administered.

2. References

29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure

Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, 3rd Edition, National Safety Council, 1988

3. Definitions

1. Decibel (dBA)

A unit used to measure noise exposure. Common Sound Level (for information only)



whisper / quiet bedroom	10 dBA
quiet house	30 dBA
soft music from a radio	40 dBA
normal conversation	60 dBA
car	70 dBA
manual machining / busy traffic	80 dBA
heavy traffic	90 dBA
pneumatic drill / spray painting	100 dBA
power saw	110 dBA
car horn / propeller aircraft	120 dBA
jet plane taking off	140 dBA


 
2. Action Level
An 8-hour time-weighted average of 85dBA measured on the A-scale slow response, or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. More details on how to calculate the action level can be found in the OSHA Standards 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure.
 
3. Sound level meter and octave band analyzer
Instruments for measuring sound pressure levels in dBA referenced to 0.0002 microbars. Readings can also be made in specific octave bands, usually beginning at 75 Hz and continuing through 10,000 Hz.

4. Responsibilities

1. Supervisor
1. Maintains an awareness of the approximate noise levels in work places for which he/she is responsible.
2. Requests a survey from the Site Safety Advisor when a change in equipment or procedure may increase employee exposure to noise.
3. Ensures that all employees are aware of the requirements for hearing protection in any area that has been identified as having levels which exceed permissible exposure limits.
4. Ensures that appropriate protective devices are worn and that any other control measures are observed.


2. Employee
1. Complies with the recommendations of the Site Safety Advisor and supervisor for controlling noise exposure.
2. Makes proper use of the hearing protection devices provided by the Site Safety Advisor.
3. Reports any suspected change in noise levels of equipment to the Site Safety Advisor so that a survey can be made.
 
3. Site Safety Advisor
1. Performs noise surveys in all areas of JAC as required.
2. Identifies those areas where hearing protection is required and establishes total daily permissible exposure times.
3. Places warning signs in areas where sound exposure exceed those in Table 1.
4. Approves and issues all hearing protection devices used by JAC employees. Provides instruction on the proper use, care, and maintenance of these devices.
5. Recommends, after consultation with the Engineering and Technical Services, engineering methods for controlling noise levels when such measures are considered feasible.
   

Note: When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C1/T1 + C2/T2... Cn/Tn exceeds 1, then the mixed exposure shall be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level.

As written by OSHA 1910.95 (b)(2):  Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.

5. Procedures

1. Monitoring

Once alerted by the supervisor, it is the responsibility of the Site Safety Advisor to monitor noise exposure levels in a manner that will accurately identify employees who are exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 dBA. The exposure measurement will include all noise within an 80 dBA to 130 dBA range. The Site Safety Advisor will re-monitor employee's exposures whenever a change in the production process, equipment or controls increase noise exposure enough to require new hearing protectors, or brings additional employees to or above the action level. Each employee will be informed of monitoring results when exposed at or above the action level.

2. Hearing Protectors

Hearing protectors shall be made available to all employees exposed at or above the action level. These protectors shall be capable of attenuating noise levels to at least a time-weighted average of 90 dBA. The Site Safety Advisor offers a choice of protectors from a variety of suitable types.