Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to minimize a worker's exposure to hazards, including gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, respirators, hearing protection, and protective clothing.
Equipment worn to minimize a worker's exposure to hazards, including gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, respirators, hearing protection, and protective clothing. PPE sits at the bottom of the hierarchy of controls — it protects the individual but doesn't eliminate the hazard itself.
A worker handling corrosive cleaning chemicals wears chemical-resistant gloves and a face shield as PPE, in addition to the ventilation system (an engineering control) already reducing fume exposure in the room.
Because it only protects the person wearing it, and only works if selected correctly, worn properly, and maintained — unlike engineering controls, which reduce the hazard for everyone in the area regardless of individual compliance. That's why the hierarchy of controls prioritizes eliminating or engineering out hazards first.
Under OSHA's PPE standard, employers are generally required to provide and pay for required PPE at no cost to employees, with limited exceptions like everyday footwear or prescription safety glasses in some circumstances. State requirements can vary slightly.
It depends on the type and usage — disposable respirators and gloves are single-use or shift-use, while items like hard hats and safety glasses are typically replaced based on visible wear, damage, or manufacturer-recommended service life, whichever comes first.
No. PPE only provides its rated level of protection when it's the correct type for the hazard, properly fitted, used correctly, and in good condition. Improperly fitted respirators or damaged gloves, for example, can give a false sense of security while providing little real protection.
Fit testing verifies that a respirator forms an adequate seal on an individual's face, since facial structure significantly affects how well a respirator performs. OSHA requires annual fit testing for workers required to wear tight-fitting respirators as part of a respiratory protection program.
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