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A Practical Guide to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for College Faculty

Jan 20th 2026

Posted by steve@safetysourcellc.com BigCommerce

A Practical Guide to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for College Faculty

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a critical role in maintaining safe learning environments across higher education. From chemistry labs and engineering workshops to art studios and field research sites, PPE serves as the final barrier between students, faculty, and potential hazards.

 

This guide is intended to help college professors understand when PPE is required, how to select appropriate equipment, and how to ensure proper student use in instructional settings.

 

Assessing Hazards in Academic Environments

Conducting a PPE Hazard Assessment

A PPE hazard assessment identifies risks associated with specific tasks or environments before PPE selection. Consider:

  • -What physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, or radiological hazards might be present?

  • -What body parts are at risk (eyes, face, hands, lungs, torso, hearing, feet)?

  • -Are there established engineering or administrative controls already in place?

  • -What injury or exposure outcomes are possible?

 

Steps for effective PPE hazard assessment:

  1.  

    1. Identify all tasks and associated hazards.

    1. 2. Determine if engineering or administrative controls can eliminate hazards.

    2. 3. Where hazards remain, match PPE to the specific risk.

    3. 4. Document assessment results and PPE decisions.

     

 

PPE Categories and Selection Criteria

Below is a head-to-toe breakdown of PPE commonly required in academic settings. Selection should be based on specific hazard characteristics, relevant standards, and comfort/fit considerations.

 

Head Protection

Head protection is designed to reduce the risk of impact-related injuries, penetration injuries, and electrical shock caused by falling objects, fixed overhead hazards, or accidental contact with energized equipment. While often associated with construction, head protection is relevant in many academic instructional, research, and facilities-related settings where overhead or impact hazards exist.

 

In higher education, head injuries frequently occur not due to high-risk industrial activity, but because students are unfamiliar with their surroundings, distracted, or working in confined or shared spaces. Proper head protection mitigates these risks when hazards cannot be fully engineered out.

 

Types of Head Protection

Hard Hats

Hard hats are the most common form of head protection and are designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces.

 

Primary functions:

  • -Protect against falling or flying objects

  • -Reduce force transmitted to the skull

  • -Provide limited protection from electrical hazards (depending on class)

 

Hard hats consist of a rigid outer shell and an internal suspension system that creates a clearance between the shell and the wearer’s head. Both components are essential for protection.

 

 

Safety Helmets

Hard hats are the most common form of head protection and are designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces.

 

Primary functions:

  • -Protect against falling or flying objects

  • -Reduce force transmitted to the skull

  • -Provide limited protection from electrical hazards (depending on class)

 

Hard hats consist of a rigid outer shell and an internal suspension system that creates a clearance between the shell and the wearer’s head. Both components are essential for protection.

  1.  

 

Bump Caps

Bump caps provide limited impact protection and are intended for environments where the primary risk is head contact with fixed objects, not falling materials.

 

Primary Functions:

  • -Low-clearance areas

  • -Under benches or equipment

  • -Confined spaces without falling-object hazards

 

Important limitation:
Bump caps do not provide the same level of protection as hard hats and should never be used as a substitute where falling or flying object hazards exist.

 

 

Electrical Classes

Electrical Classes

  • Class G (General) – Limited electrical protection (up to 2,200 volts)

  • Class E (Electrical) – High-voltage protection (up to 20,000 volts)

  • Class C (Conductive) – No electrical protection

  •  

In academic environments with potential exposure to energized equipment, Class E protection is often preferred.

 

Selection Criteria for Academic Use

When selecting head protection for students or faculty, consider the following factors:

  • -Nature and frequency of overhead hazards

  • -Likelihood of lateral impacts

  • -Presence of electrical hazards

  • -Duration of wear (comfort becomes critical for long sessions)

  • -Compatibility with other PPE (face shields, hearing protection, respirators)

  •  

Ill-fitting or uncomfortable head protection leads to non-compliance, particularly in student populations.

 

Hard Hats

Yellow construction helmet on a white background.

Pros

  • -Effective against falling and flying objects
  • -Available with electrical-rated options
  • -Cost-effective and easy to source

Cons

  • -Limited side protection
  • -Can shift without chinstrap
  • -Less comfortable

Safety Helmets

Pros

  • -Provides both top and lateral impact protection
  • -Chin strap improves retention during movement
  • -Better integration with face shields, visors, and hearing protection

Cons

-Higher initial cost

-Harder to source

-Heavier than traditional hard hats

Bump Caps

Pros

  • -Lightweight and comfortable
  • -Suitable for confined spaces
  • -Low cost
  • -Ball cap options

Cons

  • -No protection from falling or flyng objects
  • -No electrical protection
  • -Not compliant for high-risk environments

Safety Glasses

Hard hats are the most common form of head protection and are designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces.

 

Primary functions:

  • -Protect against falling or flying objects

  • -Reduce force transmitted to the skull

  • -Provide limited protection from electrical hazards (depending on class)

 

Hard hats consist of a rigid outer shell and an internal suspension system that creates a clearance between the shell and the wearer’s head. Both components are essential for protection.

 

 

Goggles

Hard hats are the most common form of head protection and are designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces.

 

Primary functions:

  • -Protect against falling or flying objects

  • -Reduce force transmitted to the skull

  • -Provide limited protection from electrical hazards (depending on class)

 

Hard hats consist of a rigid outer shell and an internal suspension system that creates a clearance between the shell and the wearer’s head. Both components are essential for protection.

  1.  

 

Face Shields

Bump caps provide limited impact protection and are intended for environments where the primary risk is head contact with fixed objects, not falling materials.

 

Primary Functions:

  • -Low-clearance areas

  • -Under benches or equipment

  • -Confined spaces without falling-object hazards

 

Important limitation:
Bump caps do not provide the same level of protection as hard hats and should never be used as a substitute where falling or flying object hazards exist.

 

 

Electrical Classes

Electrical Classes

  • Class G (General) – Limited electrical protection (up to 2,200 volts)

  • Class E (Electrical) – High-voltage protection (up to 20,000 volts)

  • Class C (Conductive) – No electrical protection

  •  

In academic environments with potential exposure to energized equipment, Class E protection is often preferred.

 

Selection Criteria for Academic Use

When selecting head protection for students or faculty, consider the following factors:

  • -Nature and frequency of overhead hazards

  • -Likelihood of lateral impacts

  • -Presence of electrical hazards

  • -Duration of wear (comfort becomes critical for long sessions)

  • -Compatibility with other PPE (face shields, hearing protection, respirators)

  •  

Ill-fitting or uncomfortable head protection leads to non-compliance, particularly in student populations.

 

Hard Hats

Yellow construction helmet on a white background.

Pros

  • -Effective against falling and flying objects
  • -Available with electrical-rated options
  • -Cost-effective and easy to source

Cons

  • -Limited side protection
  • -Can shift without chinstrap
  • -Less comfortable

Safety Helmets

Pros

  • -Provides both top and lateral impact protection
  • -Chin strap improves retention during movement
  • -Better integration with face shields, visors, and hearing protection

Cons

-Higher initial cost

-Harder to source

-Heavier than traditional hard hats

Bump Caps

Pros

  • -Lightweight and comfortable
  • -Suitable for confined spaces
  • -Low cost
  • -Ball cap options

Cons

  • -No protection from falling or flyng objects
  • -No electrical protection
  • -Not compliant for high-risk environments
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