Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): It’s Personal! – January 2025 Safety Newsletter

January 9, 2025

Champions,

PPE is your last line of defense against workplace injuries—and it doesn’t get more personal than that! Each piece of equipment is specifically designed to reduce the severity of incidents or prevent injuries altogether. This newsletter outlines the Champion PPE procedure to guide you in selecting, using, and properly fitting your Champion-provided PPE.

The purpose of this information is to highlight key processes for the selection and use of PPE, as detailed in the Champion Personal Protective Equipment Procedure 2.2.

General Requirements

Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes, face, head, extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields or barriers, must be provided, used, and kept in a clean and reliable condition. This is required whenever there are hazards from processes, the environment, chemicals, radiation, or mechanical irritants that could cause injury or impair body function through absorption, inhalation, or physical contact.

Hazard Assessment

Before using PPE, a hazard assessment must determine whether hazards are present or likely to be present, necessitating the use of PPE. Your Champion supervisor or Project Manager is available to assist you with conducting this assessment.

PPE Guidelines

Approved Equipment: All PPE must meet approved standards, be inspected before each use, and be acceptable to the S.H.&E. Department.
Defective or Damaged PPE: Never use defective or damaged PPE. Report issues to your supervisor immediately, and replace the equipment before starting work.
Proper Fit: PPE must be fitted to each employee’s body type and shape. This includes items such as hard hats, safety harnesses, gloves, and protective clothing. A proper fit is essential for effectiveness.
Correct Usage: Use PPE only for the hazards it is designed to address. Improper use can compromise your safety.
Consistency: PPE only works when used properly and consistently. It will not protect you if it is not used as intended.
No Sharing/Reusing: PPE must not be reused by another employee unless it has been sanitized, with the exception of fall protection equipment.

There’s nothing more personal than going home safe and uninjured every day. Let’s keep safety our top priority!

Crew of the Month

The West Point Dam project, located on West Point Lake in West Point, GA, highlights the dedication and adaptability of Champion Specialty Services. Initially scoped for power tool cleaning as the surface preparation method, the project revealed extensive corrosion on the steel gates. This discovery required a shift to dry abrasive blasting, significantly expanding the scope of work.

To meet the aggressive customer schedule and ensure on-time delivery after the unforeseen scope expansion, the team quickly mobilized additional equipment and increased crew staffing. This effort underscores their commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

The project resulted in installing containment per SSPC Guide 6, Class 1A standards, performing dry abrasive blasting, and applying a Sherwin Williams USACE-approved vinyl coating system to the spillway gates. The work also included coating both the upstream and downstream gates, ensuring the longevity and reliability of this critical infrastructure.

With 7,800 man hours worked so far, this team’s adaptability and determination have been key to overcoming challenges, maintaining high standards, and keeping the project on track. Thank you to John Burns and the entire crew for your hard work and dedication to excellence!

Contact Champion