Todd Jerome Jenkins, MS, CSP, SMS, CHST, STSC

Safety Aficionado & Ph.D. Student

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Head Protection

Head protection is worn when exposed to overhead, falling, or flying hazards.  When working near electrical lines, special hardhats may be required.  Inspect your hard hat for dents, cracks, or deterioration and immediately replace it if damaged.

Eye & Face Protection

Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields are worn to protect your eyes and face from various flying particles, chemical splash, or dust when welding, cutting, nailing, or working with harmful particles.  Don’t put your eyesight at risk, where your eye protection and face protection.

Foot Protection

Steel-toe leather boots must be worn to protect your feet against rolling equipment, falling objects, cuts, and punctures.  

Hand Protection

Wearing the appropriate gloves for the job that you are doing can save your hands from cuts, burns, impact, and chemicals.  Picking the right glove for the right task is crucial.  Inspect your gloves for damage and dispose of them after excessive wear and tear.

Body Protection

Body protection is essential when dealing with hazardous chemicals and materials.  If hazardous conditions are present, there is an increase in the level of protection needed to guard against the harmful effects of the chemicals.  Depending on the hazard, body protection such as chem aprons, coveralls, and hazmat suits may be needed.  Always review the safety data sheet for the chemicals you are using.

Hearing Protection

Hearing protection is required when elimination, substitution, engineering, or administrative controls cannot reduce noise exposure and duration levels.  Earmuffs and earplugs are the most common forms of hearing protection. 

Respiratory Protection

Wearing the proper respirator can save your life.  Respirators should always be the last choice.  Ventilation is the best option if an atmospheric hazard is present.  Never wear a respirator if you are not medically fit to do so.  Men, ensure your face is clean-shaven, so you get a tight fit.  Women don’t wear makeup that may interfere with a mask’s seal.  Remember, disposable masks are disposable, so throw them away.  Always ensure that respirators are correctly fitted before starting work.

Personal Protective Equipment is the last line of defense, so you have no defense if you don’t wear or maintain it!

One thought on “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *