PPE for Hazardous Equipment

The University of Ottawa has a wide variety of services available to ensure that researcher have all the tools required for the vast variety of research.

Purpose

The equipment used to produce this experience often requires the operation of heavy machinery that is hazardous to the users. The purpose of this Policy is to outline the responsibilities and required safety equipment of faculty, staff, students and any other users using heavy machinery.

This policy must also be read in conjunction with other University policies related to security, health and safety, environmental management, guidelines, manuals, permits, directives or instructions from the University, its Office of the Chief Risk Officer, Environmental Health and Safety and regulatory authorities.

Definition

The following are a list of definitions to ensure clarity of intention for this document

Hazardous Equipment: Hazardous equipment includes but is not exclusive to: milling machines, lathes, drill press, saws and autoclave.
Eye Protection: Plastic eyewear (CSA Approved) with shielding required for the specific tasks. Note: Prescription glasses are NOT considered proper eye protection.
Safety Shoes: Shoes that cover the whole foot with steel or composite toes.
Ear Protection: Ear buds used properly (see this video for proper use of ear buds) unless otherwise specified by the supervisor.

Policy

All employees working in an area involving heavy machinery must wear the required PPE including but not limited to: safety glasses/goggles, ear protection and safety boots.
The Faculty is committed to protecting the university workers from the dangers associated to hazardous equipment.
The Faculty will assess, and reassess as necessary, the risk of the equipment used.
The Faculty expects all of the suggestions made by the Managers and Health, Safety and Risk department are to be adhered
The Faculty will do regular checks to ensure work is done in a safe manner.

Legislation

Below is an overview of the legislation regarding Personal Protective Equipment. For further inquiries, see the full documents in the reference section.

From University of Ottawa - Policy 77 - Occupational Health and Safety:

The University and every individual at all levels of its organizational structure have a legal responsibility to adhere to health and safety laws
The University’s legal obligations consist of a combination of duties, such as ensuring employee compliance with health and safety laws, informing employees about the existence of potential or actual workplace hazards and providing training and instruction on preventative procedures
All University employees must protect their own health and safety by working in compliance with the relevant legislation and with safe work practices and procedures established by the University
The University is also responsible for providing all of its students with a safe and healthy work and study environment. While students are not subject to provincial legislation on occupational health and safety, the University abides by the principles of this legislation in the case of students.

From Procedure 14-1 - Internal Responsibility Procedure for Health and Safety Issues

The University has a general duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect health and safety and prevent accident, incident, occupational disease and injuries in its workplace. Due diligence is the level of judgment, care, prudence, determination and action that a person would reasonably be expected to do under particular circumstances. The University, as the employer, having regard for the protection of workers, without limiting the requirements imposed by applicable health and safety legislation
Workers are also responsible for health and safety issues in the performance of their duties. As well, workers must

work in compliance with the provisions of the applicable health and safety legislation and all health and safety procedures that are made known to them;
use or wear equipment, protective devices or clothing as required by the University, and report to their supervisors the absence of or defect in any equipment or protective device of which they are aware and which may endanger themselves or other workers;
report all known health and safety hazards or any violation of the applicable health and safety legislation or University procedures to their supervisor;
not use or operate any equipment, machine, device or thing or work in a manner that endangers themselves or other workers, and not remove or make ineffective any protective device required by the applicable health and safety legislation or by University procedure, without providing an adequate temporary protective device; when the need for removing the protective device has ceased, the original protective device shall be reinstalled immediately;
not engage in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct or otherwise endanger their co-workers or themselves;
report accidents and incidents to the University’s Human Resources Service and to the ORM
attend mandatory safety training sessions related to their work environment.

From Ontario Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Act and Regulations:

A worker exposed to hazards that may cause injuries shall wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. Furthermore, a worker shall be instructed and trained in the care and use of the protective clothing, equipment or device.

Responsibility

University of Ottawa

Perform annual inspections through OHS inspections
Work with the managers to insure the area
Do risk assessments as necessary

Manager/PI

Ensure that no untrained person operates dangerous equipment
Maintain all equipment in safe working conditions
Ensure that all guards and related protective devices are installed and maintained
Ensure all the appropriate first aid, firefighting and other necessary emergency equipment are available and maintained
Ensure that all people are using required personal protective equipment
Perform regular inspections to identify hazards
Promptly report any accidents or incidents. Incident reports can be done online.

Researcher/Worker

Conduct themselves in a safe manner
Wear the required personal protective equipment and adhere to the protective equipment advocated by the manager
Report any possible safety concerns to the manager
Promptly report any accidents or incidents. Incident reports can be done online.