Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (often abbreviated as PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter.

Types of Personal Protective Equipment[edit | edit source]

Head Protection[edit | edit source]

Head protection is required when overhead hazards are present. Some examples include helmets and hard hats.

Eye and Face Protection[edit | edit source]

Eye and face protection is necessary when workers are exposed to hazards such as flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.

Hearing Protection[edit | edit source]

Hearing protection is required when noise or sound levels exceed the limits set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Examples include earplugs and earmuffs.

Hand and Arm Protection[edit | edit source]

Hand and arm protection is necessary when workers are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.

Foot and Leg Protection[edit | edit source]

Foot and leg protection is required when workers are exposed to hazards such as falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, and electrical hazards.

Regulations[edit | edit source]

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates the use of PPE on the job. This is to ensure that all workers are protected from potential hazards in the workplace.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Personal Protective Equipment Resources
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