​WHAT IS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)?

 

PPE is clothing or equipment designed to control risks to health and safety in the workplace.

It includes:

 

• eye protection (goggles, safety glasses)

• hearing protection (ear plugs, ear muffs)

• breathing protection (respirators, face masks, cartridge filters)

• foot protection (safety boots)

• head protection (hard hats, helmets, sun hats)

• body protection (high-visibility garments, thermal wear, overalls, aprons, safety harnesses)

• substances used to protect health (sun screen)

• outer wear (reflective vests, fluoro jackets).

 

PPE is the least satisfactory solution to health and safety problems in the workplace, as it does not address the hazard – it only provides a shield to protect the worker. 

PPE should therefore be used in addition to other control measures that provide workers with a higher level of safety, rather than replacing those measures.

 

Types of personal protective equipment

PPE can be considered in the following categories, based on the type of protection afforded by the equipment:

 

• Respiratory protection - for example, disposable, cartridge, air line, half or full face

• Eye protection – for example, spectacles/goggles, shields, visors

• Hearing protection – for example, ear muffs and plugs

• Hand protection – for example, gloves and barrier creams

• Foot protection – for example, shoes/boots

• Head protection – for example, helmets, caps, hoods, hats

• Working from heights - for example, harness and fall arrest devices

• Skin protection – for example, hats, sunburn cream, long sleeved clothes

• Other personal protective equipment: This may include PPE for specific tasks such disposable clothing for working with chemicals, radiation hazards, welding, painting. Examples include: lead aprons for x-ray protection; sleeve protectors, aprons, coveralls when using chemicals; leather jackets, trousers and spats for welding; thermal and cold protective clothing for work near furnaces and cool rooms.