Policy Text
Policy
706Fremont Police Department
Personal Protective Equipment
706.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy identifies the different types of personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the
Department as well the requirements and guidelines for the use of PPE.
This policy does not address ballistic vests or protection from communicable disease, as those
issues are addressed in the Body Armor and Communicable Diseases policies.
706.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Personal protective equipment (PPE) - Equipment that protects a person from serious
workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical,
electrical, mechanical or other workplace hazards.
Respiratory PPE - Any device that is worn by the user to protect from exposure to atmospheres
where there is smoke, low levels of oxygen, high levels of carbon monoxide, or the presence of
toxic gases or other respiratory hazards. For purposes of this policy, respiratory PPE does not
include particulate-filtering masks such as N95 or N100 masks.
706.2 POLICY
The Fremont Police Department endeavors to protect members by supplying certain PPE to
members as provided in this policy.
706.3 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
Members are required to use PPE as provided in this policy and pursuant to their training.
Members are responsible for proper maintenance and storage of issued PPE. PPE should be
stored in an appropriate location so that it is available when needed.
Any member who identifies hazards in the workplace is encouraged to utilize the procedures in
the Illness and Injury Prevention Policy to recommend new or improved PPE or additional needs
for PPE.
706.4 HEARING PROTECTION
Approved hearing protection shall be used by members during firearms training.
Hearing protection shall meet or exceed the requirements provided in 8 CCR 5098.
706.5 EYE PROTECTION
Approved eye protection, including side protection, shall be used by members during firearms
training. Eye protection for members who wear prescription lenses shall incorporate the
prescription (e.g., eye protection that can be worn over prescription lenses). Members shall ensure
their eye protection does not interfere with the fit of their hearing protection.
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Personal Protective Equipment
The Range Master shall ensure eye protection meets or exceeds the requirements provided in
8 CCR 3382.
706.6 HEAD, BODY, AND HAND PROTECTION
Members who make arrests or control crowds should be provided ballistic head protection with
an attachable face shield.
Padded body protection consisting of chest, arm, leg and groin protection should be provided as
required by any collective bargaining agreement.
706.7 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
The Administrative Services Division Commander is responsible for ensuring a respiratory
protection plan is developed and maintained by a trained and qualified member. The plan shall
include procedures for (8 CCR 5144):
(a)Selecting appropriate respiratory PPE based on hazards and risks associated with
functions or positions.
(b)Fit testing, including identification of members or contractors qualified to conduct fit
testing.
(c)Medical evaluations.
(d)PPE inventory control.
(e)PPE issuance and replacement.
(f)Cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding and otherwise
maintaining respiratory PPE, including schedules for these activities.
(g)Regularly reviewing the PPE plan.
(h)Remaining current with applicable National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) and state
PPE standards and guidelines.
706.7.1 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION USE
Designated members may be issued respiratory PPE based on the member’s assignment (e.g.,
a narcotics investigator who is involved in clandestine lab investigations).
Respiratory PPE may be worn when authorized by a scene commander who will determine the
type and level of protection appropriate at a scene based upon an evaluation of the hazards
present.
Scene commanders are responsible for monitoring members using respiratory PPE and their
degree of exposure or stress. When there is a change in work area conditions or when a member’s
degree of exposure or stress may affect respirator effectiveness, the scene commander shall
reevaluate the continued effectiveness of the respirator and direct the member to leave the
respirator use area when the scene commander reasonably believes (8 CCR 5144):
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(a)It is necessary for the member to wash his/her face and the respirator facepiece to
prevent eye or skin irritation associated with respirator use.
(b)The member detects vapor or gas breakthrough, or there is a change in breathing
resistance or leakage of the facepiece.
(c)The member needs to replace the respirator, filter, cartridge or canister.
706.7.2 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Members shall not use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), full-face respirators or
cartridge respirators unless they have completed training requirements for the equipment.
Members exposed to environments that are reasonably known to be harmful due to gases, smoke
or vapors shall use respiratory PPE.
Members using respiratory PPE shall (8 CCR 5144):
(a)Ensure that they have no facial hair between the sealing surface of the facepiece and
the face that could interfere with the seal or