Final answer:
This answer details the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the workplace, employer responsibilities under OSHA, and the necessity of proper maintenance and training for safety equipment. It emphasizes that employers must provide, inform about, and train for the use of PPE without cost to the employee.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage provided discusses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which is essential in maintaining safety at the workplace. PPE includes various items such as safety helmets, ear protectors, and protective clothing, which help mininize risk of injury from hazards that may be present even after implementing specialized control measures.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it is the responsibility of employers to provide a safe work environment and to inform and equip their employees adequately with personal protective equipment at no cost.
In addition to proper use and availability of PPE, workplaces should focus on avoiding distracting clothing, maintaining personal hygiene, knowing the location of safety equipment, and providing training in languages understandable to workers. Importantly, PPE must be well-maintained and properly stored when not in use. For medical personnel and those in high-risk environments, such as BSL-4 laboratories, specialized protective suits with their own air supply are crucial.
Furthermore, employers have responsibilities under OSHA which include informing workers of potential chemical hazards, providing safety training, keeping records of work-related injuries, and notifying OSHA of any severe workplace incidents. These measures are part of a broader commitment to workplace safety, emphasizing the need for well-informed and protected workers.