PPE protects you from hazards in your environment. Knowing the types of PPE available and how to use them properly can help you minimize your exposure to harm.

Depending on your work situation, personal protective equipment (PPE) may be a workplace requirement. But it’s more than just that — it’s your first line of defense against potential injuries and health risks on the job.

Learn what exactly qualifies as PPE and how you can ensure you’re using it effectively.

PPE refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments designed to shield your body from injury or infection.

This essential gear protects you from various workplace hazards of many kinds, including:

  • Physical: PPE protects against various physical hazards, including sources of motion, high-temperature sources, and impacts.
  • Chemical: PPE shields workers from harmful chemicals used in the workplace. Gloves, masks, and gowns can all play a part in protection from chemical threats.
  • Biological: PPE is essential in protecting against biological hazards, particularly in healthcare settings. Workers may wear masks and gloves to protect against contamination.
  • Radiological: Healthcare workers may be at risk of radiological threats, particularly in healthcare settings. Workers may wear leaded aprons to shield against X-ray doses, for example.
  • Electrical: Insulating rubber gloves are important to protect you from electrical hazards.
  • Environmental: PPE guards against environmental hazards such as harmful dust and airborne particulate matter.

PPE types will depend on the hazards you are exposed to.

What are the different types of PPE?

Common examples of PPE include:

  • Eye protection: Safety glasses and goggles can stop chemicals or dust from reaching your eyes.
  • Hearing protection: Earplugs and earmuffs can help protect your ears from loud noises that may cause damage.
  • Hand protection: Gloves, especially those tailored for specific tasks, can make sure your hands are well protected.
  • Protective clothing: Garments such as overalls, gowns, and aprons can create a shield to stop hazards from reaching your body.
  • Respiratory protection: Respirators and masks can protect your airways and lungs from harmful particles.
  • Head protection: Wearing a bump cap or a hard hat in places where objects could fall on you is important to prevent injury.
  • Foot protection: Steel-toe-capped boots can prevent injury to your feet from heavy objects.

To get the most protection from your PPE, it’s important to use it correctly.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emphasizes that properly fitting PPE can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. Ensure that your PPE fits well and is maintained in clean, reliable condition. For example, masks must fit close to the face with no gaps.

A 2020 study in Egypt showed that only 39.5% of construction workers replaced PPE that had been lost or damaged. And more than 50% took PPE off while working. The main reasons for this were that PPE made tasks more difficult and that the PPE did not fit well enough and fell off.

To ensure maximum protection, PPE should be:

  • safely designed and constructed
  • maintained in a clean and reliable condition
  • properly fitted to encourage use

While your employer is responsible for providing appropriate PPE, you play a vital role in its effectiveness.

Make sure to always:

  • Use PPE as trained.
  • Inspect your gear before each use.
  • Report any damaged or worn equipment.
  • Keep your PPE clean and well-maintained.

By understanding and properly using personal protective equipment, you’re taking an active role in safeguarding your health and safety at work.

The main regulatory bodies for PPE standards in the United States are the OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act provides coverage for the majority of private-sector employers and their employees.

Additionally, it extends its jurisdiction to cover certain state and local government employers and their workers in all 50 states, as well as specific territories and jurisdictions under federal authority.

OSHA-approved state plans are health and safety programs approved by OSHA and operated by individual states or U.S. territories. These plans must be as effective as OSHA in protecting workers and preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

Here are some commonly asked questions about PPE:

Who is responsible for implementing PPE programs in the workplace?

Workplaces are responsible for implementing PPE programs in their work areas. This includes ensuring proper selection, use, and maintenance of PPE.

OSHA requires employers to provide their employees with adequate PPE and training on how to use it if hazards are present in the workplace.


What should PPE training cover?

Workers required to wear PPE must be trained on its proper use. This training should cover:

  • how to use the equipment correctly
  • when PPE is necessary
  • what kind of PPE is necessary
  • limitations of PEE
  • proper care, maintenance, and disposal of PPE

Can PPE be shared among workers?

PPE must fit you personally, and you should replace it if your body shape changes or it becomes worn. It’s best not to share equipment, as it may not fit someone else properly. There are also hygiene issues with sharing items such as masks and earplugs.

If there’s a lack of equipment, however, sharing may be necessary. In these cases, it’s best to keep this to a short time frame only. Make sure to clean PPE before and after use, and make sure it properly fits the user.

PPE plays a vital role in protecting healthcare professionals and workers across various industries from potential hazards.

Proper selection, use, and maintenance of PPE are essential to ensure its effectiveness in preventing injuries and illnesses.