This Sector is responsible for promoting the health and safety of the community through effective occupational and environmental management practices.
Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) provides services and leadership in the areas of medical surveillance and environmental monitoring, the treatment of occupational illness and injuries, fire safety, biological safety, chemical safety, laboratory safety, facility and equipment safety, employee safety training programs and the payment and adjudication of worker’s compensation claims.
Our goal is to provide responsive service and critical support to ensure that Johns Hopkins is a safe and healthy environment in which to work, study, and live.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any type of face mask, glove, or clothing that acts as a barrier between infectious materials and the skin, mouth, nose, or eyes (mucous membranes). When used properly, personal protective equipment can help prevent the spread of infection from one person to another.
What is personal protective equipment?
A. Personal protective equipment is any type of specialized clothing, eye shield or facial barrier that is used to protect the wearer from serious injuries or illnesses.

How does personal protective equipment help prevent the spread of infection?
A. Personal protective equipment acts as a barrier between infectious materials and your skin, mouth, nose, or eyes (mucous membranes).
The barrier has the potential to block the spread of infection from blood, body fluids, or respiratory secretions.

Will personal protective equipment protect against flu (influenza)?
A. All personal protective equipment cleared by SFT must meet specific performance standards for protection. These standards vary depending on the specific type of equipment. The information that SFT uses for the evaluation and clearance of personal protective equipment does not include performance against a specific influenza virus. Thus neither SFT, nor a manufacturer, knows to what extent PPE will protect you against influenza. Keep in mind that other infection control practices, such as hand-washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, isolating sick patients, and using appropriate coughing etiquette, are also important to minimize your risk of infection.

Should I use personal protective equipment to help protect against infection when caring for a sick person at home?
A. The use of PPE alone will not fully protect you from acquiring an infection. Other infection control practices, such as hand-washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, isolating of patients and using appropriate coughing etiquette, are also important to minimize your risk of infection.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), is responsible for making specific recommendations for infection control measures in different circumstances. These recommendations may include the use of PPE as part of a broader set of actions. For more information about CDC’s recommendations for controlling the spread of the flu.