What Is Personal Protective Equipment?

Definition

Personal protective equipment, frequently described as “PPE”, is equipment worn to decrease direct exposure to dangers that cause major work environment injuries and diseases. These injuries and illnesses might result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other office risks. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, shatterproof glass and shoes, earplugs or muffs, construction hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and complete body matches.

What Can Be Done to Guarantee Appropriate Use of PPE?

All personal protective equipment ought to be securely designed and constructed, and should be maintained in a clean and trustworthy style. It must fit comfortably, motivating worker use. If the personal protective equipment does not fit effectively, it can make the distinction between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. When engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not supply sufficient defense, employers need to provide personal protective equipment to their workers and ensure its proper use. Companies are also needed to train each employee needed to use personal protective equipment to know:

  • When it is essential
  • What type is needed
  • How to appropriately put it on, change, wear and take it off
  • The restrictions of the devices
  • Appropriate care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment

If PPE is to be used, a PPE program should be implemented. This program ought to address the hazards present; the selection, maintenance, and use of PPE; the training of employees; and monitoring of the program to guarantee its ongoing efficiency.

List of PPE

  • High-Visibility Safety Apparel
  • Hearing Protectors
  • Respirators – Respirator Care
  • Routine Practices
  • Designing an Effective PPE Program
  • Respirators – Wearing a Respirator
  • Foot Comfort and Safety at Work
  • Safety Footwear
  • Footwear – Assessment Checklist
  • Headwear, Care of
  • Chemical Protective Clothing – Glove Selection
  • Personal Protective Clothing – Trade Names, Manufacturers
  • Eye and Face Protectors (for example, if you work with wood or plywood)
  • Respirators – Respirator Selection
  • Protection Against Drowning
  • Respirators – Respirators Versus Surgical Masks
  • Body Belts, Harnesses, and Lanyards