How to Test PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used to protect employees, athletes and emergency personnel, among others. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has strict requirements when it comes to PPE to ensure that those who wear it are properly protected. PPE can include hard hats, face shields, coveralls, hazmat suits, firefighter apparel and athletic wear. To guarantee that PPE is durable and effective, it should be tested in a laboratory setting before using it on the field. If the equipment is not tested prior to use, serious injury can occur if the equipment fails to perform under pressure.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact a professional PPE testing facility. This is likely the best option if you want to sell your PPE on the general market, or if you've made it to meet OSHA standards. Professional PPE testing facilities can be contacted online and perform a variety of experiments to ensure that the items will hold up under pressure and accomplish their purposes. The specific experiments that are done will depend on the specific kind of PPE that is being tested. If you wish to test your PPE yourself, expose it to whatever it is meant to protect people from (such as fire, X-rays or high impact) to see if it withstands.

• 2

  Look for testing information or certification if you are looking to buy PPE. If it claims to be personal protective clothing, look for indications that it's trustworthy such as a stamp of approval from OSHA or a professional testing company.

• 3

  Wear only PPE that has been tested and found effective. PPE that claims protection but fails to deliver it, does little good in a dangerous situation. A hard hat that shatters when pressure is applied can cause serious head injuries, just as firefighter apparel that is not flame-resistant can result in severe burns.