Personal Protective Equipment for Grounds Personnel

1. Eye Protection
   
   60% of eye injuries could have been avoided if workers had worn eye protection
   
   Make sure eye wear fits your features, keep in good working condition, replace when damaged
   
   
   1. Goggles - Protect eyes from flying objects, splashes/spills from mixing chemicals
      
      
   2. Face Shield - Many of same protections as goggles but protects face as well - considered secondary protection
   
   
2. Hearing Protection
   
   No cure for hearing loss, so prevent damage
   
   
   1. Ear Plugs - Prevent noise from reaching most delicate part of ear up to 30 decibels
      
      
   2. Ear Muffs - Prevent against moderate noise levels 15-25 decibels, should form tight seal around ears
   
   
3. Foot & Leg Protection
   
   
   1. Steel Toed boots - prevent puncture & compression injuries
      
      
   2. Chaps - protect from cuts and lacerations
      
      
   3. Rubber boots - for mixing chemicals & pesticides
      
      
   4. Rubber soled shoes - protect against falls/slips
   
   
4. Hand Protection
   
   
   1. Prevent disease, contamination and puncture wounds
      
      
   2. Rubber gloves - used when working with pesticides
      
      
   3. Utility gloves - used to prevent burns, abrasions and cuts
   
   
5. Head Protection
   
   120,000 disabling head injuries per year could be prevented if proper head protection was worn
   
   
   1. Class A hard hat - protects against impact & penetration, limited protection against electricity
      
      
   2. Class B hard hat - protects against impact, maximum protection against electricity
      
      
   3. Class C hard hat - made of aluminum - protection against penetration, no protection against elect.
      
      
   4. Type is listed inside of helmet - ensure proper fit
   
   
6. Respiratory Protection
   
   
   1. Disposable masks - filters out dust particles, snug fit necessary
      
      
   2. Respirator - nose, throat & lung protection used for chemicals/pesticides, must fit properly, change filters daily