Intro to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

When it becomes impractical to implement elimination, substitution, engineering, or administrative controls to mitigate workplace hazards, it is essential for employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure its proper use. PPE is designed to reduce exposure to various hazards and includes items such as gloves, eye and foot protection, hearing protection devices (like earplugs and muffs), hard hats, respirators, and full-body suits. It is important to note that PPE should be viewed as a last line of defense in hazard control rather than the primary solution. Some employers may mistakenly consider PPE as the ultimate safeguard, potentially leading to over-reliance on it instead of implementing other necessary safety measures. This course aims to provide a foundational overview of PPE and its importance, but it does not encompass every potential hazard or all PPE requirements specific to all workplaces. The information presented is informed by the OSHA standards concerning PPE outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), specifically under OSHA 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I, which pertains to general industry.