Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses which may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.
Workplace hazards should be mitigated by engineering controls, work practices controls, administrative controls, or a combination of all three, whenever possible. Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be used in conjunction with these controls, if needed, but PPE should not be the primary means to control a hazard.
Our office can assist you in conducting a Job Hazard Analysis and associated PPE required. Please reach out if you need help with the following questions about PPE:
- When it is necessary
- What kind is necessary
- How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off (training)
- The limitations of the equipment
- Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment
