PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

is a particular type of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE), used to protect the individual
wearer against the inhalation of hazardous
substances in the workplace air.
EXAMPLE: GAS MASK RESPIRATOR
DESCRIPTION: Particulate respirators filter out
dust, fumes, and mists. These respirators do not
protect the employee from chemicals, gases,
vapors, or oxygen deficient atmospheres. Quarter face respirators are commonly referred to as
“dust masks or N-95.”

Eye protection is protective gear for the eyes,

which comes in many types depending upon the
threat that is to be reduced. The threats can be
particles, light, wind blast, heat, sea spray or some
type of ball or puck used in sports.
EXAMPLE: EYE SHIELDS
DESCRIPTION: Safety glasses or eye shields are
used where there is a potential of eyes being
contaminated by environmental hazards such as
chemical splashes or sprays, particles and irritants

Hearing protectors are required to prevent

noise induced hearing loss. Hearing
protection devices reduce the noise energy reaching
and causing damage to the inner ear. Earmuffs and
earplugs are the most common types of PPE.
EXAMPLE: EAR MUFFS
DESCRIPTION: There are many different types of
HPDs available for use, including
earmuffs, earplugs, electronic hearing protection
devices, and semi-insert devices.
Earplugs: Pre-molded earplugs have a preformed shape and a push-to-fit design.
Formable earplugs are pliable and take the form of an individual's ear canal.
 Hand protection equipment are the
necessary ppe for tasks that can damage hands.
Wearing the proper work gloves when
performing industrial tasks like handling caustic
chemicals, hot materials or sharp objects not only
protects your personnel's hands, these also make
work more efficient.
EXAMPLE: HAND GLOVES
DESCRIPTION: gloves are best used when
performing tasks that subject the hands to shock,
while chemical resistant gloves are ideal for handling corrosives.

Foot Protection, Foot and

leg protection choices include the
following: Safety-toed shoes or
boots protect against falling, crushing or rolling
hazards. Safety-toed footwear must meet the
minimum compression and impact performance
standards in ANSI Z41-1999 or provide
equivalent protection.
EXAMPLE: SAFETY BOOTS
DESCRIPTION: Safety boots is a piece of
personal protective equipment protecting one’s foot from any injury while at work or during
movement. The foot is a vital part of our body and since we are on our feet constantly from day to
day, they are more susceptible to injury.

Head Protection, Class B utility service hats

and caps protect the wearer's head from impact
and penetration by falling or flying objects and
from high-voltage shock and burn. They are used
extensively by electrical workers. They also are
used on occasions where there is a possibility of
bumping the head against a fixed object.
EXAMPLE: HARD HAT
DESCRIPTION: The most common PPE item
for head safety is the hard hat. Hard hats protect the head, which is the only part of the body
that completely encloses a vital organ and bone.
 When working on heights, there are specific Personal
Protective Equipment tools available to protect the
worker against falls from a height (also known as fall
protection PPE). In order to ensure protection against falls
from heights, there are multiple products or equipment
available to avoid the risk of falling.
EXAMPLE: SAFETY HARNESS
DESCRIPTION: safety harness is a form of protective
equipment designed to protect a person, animal, or object
from injury or damage. The harness is an attachment
between a stationary and non-stationary object and is
usually fabricated from rope, cable or webbing and
locking hardware.

Skin Protection PPE is equipment that will protect the

user against health or safety risks at work. Protective
equipment may be worn for job-related occupational safety
and health purposes, as well as for sports and
other recreational activities. "Protective clothing" is
applied to traditional categories of clothing, and "protective
gear" applies to items such as pads, guards, shields, or
masks, and others.
EXAMPLE: PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
DESCRIPTION: Safety clothing acts as a barrier between
the skin and the agent of exposure can be considered skin
protection. Because much work is done with the
hands, gloves are an essential item in providing skin protection. Some examples of gloves
commonly used as PPE include rubber gloves, cut-resistant gloves, chainsaw gloves and heat-
resistant gloves. For sports and other recreational activities, many different gloves are used for
protection, generally against mechanical trauma.