IMS9.4.6.1 Personal Protective Equipment Procedure

1.0   PURPOSE

To outline the requirements for the selection, use, and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including protective clothing, where it has been identified as a risk control measure.

The selection of suitable PPE should be based on risk assessment and the application of the Hierarchy of Controls methodology. Higher-order risk control measures (elimination, substitution, and engineering controls) should always be considered before relying exclusively on PPE. Additionally, a combination of control measures should be considered to provide a higher level of protection.

2.0   SCOPE

This procedure applies to all employees, contractors, and visitors of SeaLink Gladstone. It details the requirements for all tasks where the use of PPE is necessary to undertake an activity

3.0   REFERENCES

• Work Health and Safety Act 2012
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – hearing protectors
• AS/NZS 1269.3 Occupational noise management - Part 3: Hearing protector program
• AS/NZS 1336: Eye and face protection guideline
• AS/NZS 1337: Personal eye protection
  • Part 1: Eye and face protection for occupational applications
  • Part 6: Prescription eye protectors against low and medium impact
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use & maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupation protective gloves (set)
• AS/NZS 2210: Occupation protective footwear – guide to the selection, care and use
• AS/NZS 4758: Personal Flotation Devices
• WHSQ Guide: Fit-testing requirements for tight-fitting respirators
• Curtis Island Services Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2014

4.0   DEFINITIONS

5.0   RESPONSIBILITIES

Managers, Masters and Team Leaders

• Ensure employees are supplied with the appropriate PPE for their work activities.
• Ensure the required PPE is worn by employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Ensure PPE is kept clean and maintained.
• Brief employees on the correct use, care, maintenance, and storage of issued PPE, and ensure it is used for its intended purpose.
• Reorder and replace worn, expired, or faulty equipment as necessary.
• Ensure scheduled inspections and maintenance are carried out on PPE as required.

Employees

• Must use, care for, and maintain the PPE provided for their personal protection.
• Ensure they do not use PPE that is in a sub-standard condition; faulty, damaged, or excessively worn PPE should be withdrawn from use and replaced.
• Report any expired, faulty, or sub-standard equipment to their Manager, Master, or Team Leader.
• Report any problems encountered when using PPE to their Manager, Master, or Team Leader.
• Inspect their PPE regularly for:
  • ​Signs of deterioration, cracks, or distortion
  • Excessive scratches on eyewear
  • Missing or damaged components
  • Modifications or alterations not specified by the manufacturer
  • Expiry date

Contractors and Visitors

• Must supply their own PPE and bring with them when working or visiting a SeaLink Gladstone site or vessel.
• Must ensure any subcontractors appointed by them are supplied and wear the required PPE.

6.0   PROCEDURE

5.1   Minimum Standards of PPE

Administration Buildings

• Short / Long sleeved shirt and shorts.
• Footwear

Workshop Areas

For personnel engaged in or assisting with hot work, including boilermakers, fitters or trade assistants:

• Drill type, overalls or, long sleeved shirt with long trousers.

For personnel not engaged in or assisting with hot work:

• Drill type, overalls or, short or long-sleeved shirt with short or long trousers.
• Steel capped, lace-up safety boots / shoes, or steel-capped rubber boots.
• Australian Standard safety glasses must be worn at all times.

Personnel working primarily within the workshop must wear clear glasses. Personnel working predominantly outside the workshop facility or moving in and out on the facility on a regular basis may wear approved shaded eyewear.

Exemptions from wearing protective eyewear are as follows:

• Offices, 
• Passenger areas on vessels
• Vessel Bridges
• Crib rooms, 
• Enclosed vehicle 
• Machinery cabins.

A protective helmet must be worn wherever mandatory signage indicates. Exemptions are as follows:

• Offices
• Passenger areas on vessels
• Vessel Bridges
• Crib rooms
• Enclosed vehicle 
• Machinery cabins

Site Areas

Persons working predominantly outside should wear approved shaded eyewear.

Exemptions from wearing protective eyewear are as follows:

• Offices
• Passenger areas on vessels
• Vessel Bridges
• Crib rooms
• Enclosed vehicle
• Machinery cabins

Australian Standard protective helmet must be worn in all site work areas and wherever mandatory signage indicates. Exemptions are as follows:

• Offices
• Passenger areas on vessels
• Vessel Bridges
• Crib rooms
• Enclosed vehicle
• Machinery cabins

Additional PPE such as hand, hearing and respiratory protection may be required in specific work areas. Area or site procedures and / or mandatory signage will provide further direction.

PPE is to be worn whenever a Job Safety Analysis / Risk Assessment / Safe Work Procedure indicate that it is necessary.

5.2   Selection

PPE must be selected, used and maintained in accordance with the relevant Australian legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice. PPE must be:

• Properly selected for the individual, the task and work environment;
• Readily available if supplied by SeaLink Gladstone
• Used correctly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
• Clean and functional
• Appropriately stored and maintained.

Trials of PPE may be necessary to determine the most suitable type to match the hazard and also user requirements, such as effectiveness of fit and comfort.

5.3  Fitting

A correct fit is required for the proper operation of PPE and must be checked prior to use. Fit testing of tight-fitting respiratory PPE is mandatory in Queensland (refer to the WHSQ Guide).

5.4   Issuing

All Employees are to be issued with PPE as required.

5.5   Instruction and Training

• Employees must be provided adequate instruction on the way to effectively use and wear PPE. PPE requirements are to be incorporated into new employee inductions.
• Employees performing work that require PPE are to be competent in the selection, fitting, use and maintenance of the PPE, and understand any additional risks the PPE may introduce (e.g.: the use of hearing protection may limit the person’s ability to hear audible warning signals).

5.6   Maintenance

• All PPE must be maintained according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
• PPE must be kept in a clean and hygienic condition.
• Cleaning products should be those recommended by the manufacturer and be readily available.
• PPE should be cleaned after use before placing back into storage.
• Employees are responsible for the care and maintenance of each PPE item issued to them; and for any shared PPE items they use.
• Any problems should be reported and rectified before the PPE is re-used

5.7   Storage

When not in use, PPE is to be stored in a suitable location and manner that will avoid damage or contamination through exposure to:

• Moisture, excessive heat or direct sunlight
• Oil, chemicals, dust and corrosive atmospheres
• Mechanical damage

6.0   PPE REQUIREMENTS

6.1   Hearing Protection

Employees, contractors and visitors in hazardous noise areas must be supplied with appropriate hearing protection where engineering and administrative controls do not adequately reduce noise level exposure to a level at or below an 8-hour noise equivalent of 85dB(A) or there is a peak noise level more than 140dB(C).

• Types of hearing protection include Earmuffs and Ear Plugs.
• In choosing hearing protection reference should be made to the following:

Vessel Engineers are required to wear Class 4 hearing protection for vessel roles and Shore Based Maintenance employees may be required to wear Class 5 hearing protection for given tasks.

Employees are required to wear hearing protection when:

• Entering vessel engine rooms that are operating
• Using power tools such as grinders
• Operating powered equipment in workshops and outdoor environments
• Working on the slipway during vessel repairs and maintenance
• Where signage indicates that hearing protection must be worn

6.2   High Visibility Clothing

High-visibility clothing or vests increase the visibility of the wearer to vehicle and plant operators. High-visibility clothing or vests must be worn by personnel operating on the barge, especially those coordinating the movement of heavy vehicles and during the loading and unloading of the vessel.

6.3   Protective Eyewear

Employees, contractors and visitors must wear protective eyewear where there is a potential risk of damage to the eyes.

Sources of damage may include hazardous chemicals, airborne particles, impact, foreign particle entry, exposure to substances and laser radiation.

The service life of protective eyewear is expired when:

• The lens/visor surface is scratched in a way that vision is impaired, or the lens integrity may be reduced
• Frames, fittings or straps are worn or broken
• The inside surface of glass lenses are scratched or damaged
• Protective eyewear used for general protection in frequent use is to be replaced every 2 years

Safety Glasses

• Must comply with AS/NZS 1337 Part 1: Personal eye protection – eye and face protectors for occupational applications
• Safety glasses have lenses that are impact resistant and frames that are much stronger than standard prescription glasses.
• Safety glasses must have side shields and must be worn whenever there is a possibility of objects striking the eye.

Prescription Safety Glasses

• Must comply with AS/NZS 1337 Part 6: Prescription eye protectors against low and medium impact.
• Regular prescription glasses are generally inadequate against flying objects or particles and could even be hazardous.
• Personnel requiring eye protection in addition to sight correction are required to wear safety over-glasses, wide vision goggles or clip-ons over prescription glasses.
• SeaLink Gladstone will provide prescription safety glasses to personnel requiring corrective vision lenses. The following reimbursement is available to employees purchasing prescription safety glasses:
  • Clear Safety Glasses $250
  • Tinted Safety Glasses $250

Process

1. Personnel requiring prescription safety glasses must complete a Prescription Safety Glasses request form, available on the DataWeb on the General Safety Forms page.
2. Once submitted, the HSEQ Department will review the request.
3. Upon approval, a purchase order will be raised and sent to Gladstone Vision. The requesting personnel will be notified of the approval or rejection.
4. If approved, the requesting personnel will then be able to select their glasses.

6.4   Protective Footwear

The style of protective footwear used is to be determined by risk assessment considering the hazards which are present. (e.g. lace up, slip on, zipper, steel v composite caps).

Employee must ensure the steel-capped footwear that is worn meets the requirements of AS/NZS 2210. Foot protection must have regard to the following:

• Foot protection must be worn where signed as mandatory and areas applicable due to an assessed risk
• Foot protection must be determined by the type of task to be performed such as: safety shoes, safety boots, safety gumboots or foot guards.
• Safety footwear must be kept clean and inspected regularly for any defects such as: torn, loose soles or damaged toe protection.
• Safety shoes or boots must fit appropriately to prevent trips or slips and not cause undue fatigue or irritation.
• Foot protection may also include welding spats.

6.5   Protective Gloves

• Employees and Contractors may be exposed to a range of hazards with the potential to affect hands and arms, where other means of control are not practical the use of gloves is required.
• Protective gloves are available in a wide range of materials; therefore a risk assessment is required to identify the type of glove required for particular applications.
• Gloves are to be stored away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature and moisture.
• Gloves showing signs of defects are to be withdrawn from use and discarded.
• Protective gloves are to be worn by employees when:
  • Handling materials which could cause abrasions and puncture wounds.
  • Handling hot, cold, corrosive or toxic materials.
  • Handling cleaning chemicals and as required by a Safety Data Sheet
  • Handling unpackaged food.
  • Administering First Aid to prevent contact with blood and body substances
  • Where signage indicates they are required.

6.6   Protective Helmets

• Protective helmets are worn to reduce the severity of injuries caused by objects falling onto a worker’s head or the head striking against a fixed object.
• Protective helmets are not to be modified or altered unless done in accordance with recommendations by the manufacturer/supplier.
• Any accessories fitted to a protective helmet such as chinstraps or earmuffs must be fitted and used in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer/supplier, modifications are not to be made to enable fitting of accessories.
• Hats are not to be worn underneath protective helmets.
• Beanies may only be worn underneath protective helmets classified as type 1 (general industrial safety helmets) if they do not adversely affect wearing height or profile, and they do not reduce the ability of the helmet to fit securely.
• Beanies are not to be worn underneath protective helmets classified as type 2 or 3 (helmets for high temperature).
• Protective helmets are to have the date of issue marked inside the helmet.
• Helmet shells in regular use have a service life of at least 3 years and harnesses at least 2 years. For helmets that are used infrequently and stored away from sunlight, dirt and temperature extremes, they may last much longer, however the user should examine the helmet regularly and discard if any damage is evident.
• Helmets and harnesses may be cleaned with warm water and soap or as per the requirements of the manufacturer/supplier.
• Worn or excessively dirty sweat bands should be replaced as required.
• Protective helmets must be worn where:
  • Cranes, hoists and forklifts are operating.
  • People are working under others and there is an exposure to items falling to a lower level.
  • Signage indicates it must be worn

6.7   Respiratory Protection

Requirements to wear respiratory protection must be in accordance with AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory Protective Devices

Selection of Appropriate Respiratory Protection

• Respiratory protective devices (RPD) must meet the standards outlined in AS/NZS 1716.
• RPD must be suitable for the specific hazards and conditions of the work activity and environment.

Fit Testing

• Fit testing must be conducted for all tight-fitting RPD to ensure a proper seal and effective protection.
• Fit testing must be performed in accordance with the procedures outlined in AS/NZS 1716.

Training

• Comprehensive training is to be provided to personnel on the correct use, maintenance, and limitations of RPD.
• Ensure personnel understand the importance of a proper fit and the procedures for conducting user seal checks.

Inspection and Maintenance

• RPD must be regularly inspected for signs of damage, wear, or deterioration.
• Perform all maintenance according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replace any faulty or expired components promptly.

Usage

• Personnel must wear RPD whenever they are exposed to respiratory hazards.
• Devices should be worn continuously in designated areas and not removed until the wearer is in a safe, uncontaminated environment.

Storage

• RPD must be stored in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight and contaminants.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for storage to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the devices.

Record Keeping

• Maintain records of fit testing, training, inspections, and maintenance of respiratory protective devices.
• Ensure records are up-to-date and accessible for review by relevant authorities.

6.8   Personal Flotation Devices

Requirements to wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) must be in accordance with  AS 4758: Personal Flotation Devices.

• Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) are to be worn in the following situations
  • Working on the exposed edge of a vessel whilst the vessel is operational.
  • Undertaking work on vessel near an exposed edge whilst the vessel is alongside a structure
  • Undertaking work on the edge of a structure near water where there is no edge protection and or fall prevention is not suitable or not in place. i.e. the edge of a pontoon or marina
• An exemption is applicable when personnel are traversing a marina to access a vessel 

7.0   REVIEW

This document will be reviewed every 2 years in the absence of changes in legislation, Australian Standard or Code of Practice that affects the procedure, or if deemed necessary (e.g.: request in consultation arrangement changes from worker or management)