What is personal protective equipment?

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE, is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. PPE may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoe covers, earplugs or earmuffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.

What can be done to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment?

All PPE should be safely designed and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit comfortably, encouraging worker use. If it does not fit properly, you can be dangerously exposed. Know when it is necessary to wear PPE, what kind of PPE is necessary, how to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off. Know the limitations of the equipment, the proper care, maintenance, and proper disposal of the equipment.