What is PPE Training Short

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is equipment designed to protect workers from serious workplace injuries or illnesses that result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

What are some common examples of PPE?

Common examples of PPE include gloves, foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (like earplugs and earmuffs), hard hats, respirators, and full body suits.

What is the Hierarchy of Controls and where does PPE fit in?

The Hierarchy of Controls is OSHA's recommended approach for managing hazards, prioritizing controlling the hazard at its source. PPE is considered the last line of defense against hazards, used only when engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or insufficient.

Is PPE a substitute for engineering or administrative controls?

No, personal protective equipment is explicitly not a substitute for good engineering or administrative controls. It should be used in conjunction with these controls to ensure employee safety.

When must an employer provide PPE to employees?

Employers must provide and ensure the use of PPE when engineering, work practices, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection to manage or eliminate the workplace hazards.