Maintaining a safe workplace is an employer's most important responsibility. Knowing which types of personal protective equipment to use is part of this. Understanding which protective equipment workers need for safety is absolutely crucial. To help you make more informed decisions, we've compiled information you need to know about different types of PPE.

What is Personal Protective Equipment?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to clothing and gear that's designed to protect people from hazards in their environment. Many industries use different types of PPE to protect workers from safety risks. Different employers require varying PPE equipment based on the hazards in their work environment. A safe workplace is often built around the use of PPE.

Examples of PPE and Their Uses

Here are some examples of the main types of PPE and their uses.

Eye Protection

Human eyes are very sensitive, so protecting them from potential hazards is important. As such, safety eyewear is the most prevalent type of eye protection. Eye protection typically comes in the form of safety glasses or safety goggles. The specific design of your eye protection might vary depending on the eye hazards in your workplace.

Manufacturers design some safety glasses to protect workers from dust and debris. Other types of safety glasses are designed to safeguard against chemical splashes. Polarized safety glasses, meanwhile, offer additional eye protection when outdoors.

Foot Protection

Protecting your lower extremities is just as important as protecting your upper body. This is where foot protection comes in. Boots and other protective footwear are the primary form of foot protection. As with other types of PPE, the type of footwear you'll need will depend on your work environment.

Some workplaces require slip-resistant work boots. Other industries require insulated boots. There are even some jobs where you'll need to wear boots for Hazmat protection. Hazmat gear protects workers from hazardous materials, including chemicals, biological agents, and radioactive substances. This protection typically includes specialized clothing, gloves, respirators, and equipment designed to prevent exposure and contamination.

Whatever the circumstances, investing in the proper safety shoes can help prevent avoidable injuries to the feet and ankles.

Hand Protection

Hands are often the most at risk in many work environments, particularly those involving the use of tools or machinery. This makes hand protection another important category of PPE. Safety gloves are the most common type of hand protection. As with all PPE, what type of gloves you'll need depends on what you're protecting against.

You'll need to determine if your workers need:

• Cut-resistant gloves
• Winter work gloves
• Electrical gloves
• Waterproof chemical-resistant gloves
• Disposable gloves

Each specific type of glove protects workers against different hazards. For example, cut-resistant gloves help prevent lacerations when working with sharp objects like knives or sheet metal. Electrical gloves, meanwhile, can provide insulation against electrical shocks. And, chemical-resistant gloves can protect workers from spills and chemical burns. There are also specialty gloves, such as mechanic’s gloves and welding or heat-resistant gloves.

Head and Face Protection

Head and face protection exists to protect the head from falling objects or unexpected impacts. Hard hats represent the most prevalent type of head protection. Many workers wear these safety helmets, most notably those in the construction and utility industries.

According to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) classifications, there are two different types of hard hats. Type 1 hard hats protect workers from impacts coming from above. This makes them particularly useful for construction workers and miners.

Type 2 hard hats, on the other hand, protect against impacts from above and the sides. The additional protection this design provides makes it the go-to choice for utility workers. Companies also usually require heavy equipment operators to wear Type 2 helmets for safety.

Face shields protect your entire face. Basic face shields have a large, clear visor attached to a helmet or headband. Workers in medical or laboratory environments often use face shields to protect their eyes and faces. Some workers use more robust types of face protection (such as welding helmets) to protect themselves from flying debris and radiant energy.

It's important to assess the hazards present in your workplace. You must do this to determine which type of safety headgear is right for you.

Hearing Protection

Work environments with high noise levels often require hearing protection. Workplaces with heavy machinery, in particular, often have noise so loud it can cause hearing damage. Safety hearing protection can help reduce the risk of hearing loss by muffling or blocking these loud sounds.

You'll generally have two options when it comes to hearing protection: earplugs or earmuffs. In some circumstances, workers use earplugs and earmuffs in tandem for added protection.

Body Protection

Fall protection is one type of body protection. Safety harnesses, for example, protect employees working at a height. There are different types of safety harnesses available depending on your needs.

Some workers prefer body belts for their relative simplicity and the freedom of movement they offer. Full body harnesses, in contrast, are more complex but also provide additional protection. A body belt secures a worker by their waist only, while a full harness has multiple points of contact. This means that full-body harnesses can distribute the impact of a fall more evenly across the body. This can help reduce the risk of a spinal injury.

Protective clothing further mitigates the hazards presented by extreme temperatures. Cold-weather safety clothing, helps workers stay warm during routine outdoor tasks in low temperatures. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that using appropriate PPE can reduce the risk of cold stress, which helps prevent related illnesses.

Coveralls are also used for body protection. They provide full body coverage against dirt, debris, and certain workplace contaminants.

Safety professionals also consider high-visibility workwear, such as safety vests, a form of body protection. The reflective panels and bright coloring of these vests make workers more visible. This helps increase worker safety in many different environments. Explore trusted options from brands like Pyramex and Radians.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is personal protective equipment that shields workers from inhaling harmful substances. There are many different types of respiratory protection available. The type you'll need depends on the workplace hazards you're protecting against. You might find disposable respirators suitable for your needs, or instead choose to invest in something longer-lasting.

It's also important to determine precisely what inhalants you're safeguarding against. Some respirators shield you from particulates, while others protect against gas or vapor inhalation. Other respirators can help protect against chemical fumes or even airborne illnesses. Make sure to check the rating of your respiratory equipment to guarantee it fits your needs.

How to Determine the Required PPE Based on Hazards and Risks

All employers should conduct a workplace hazard assessment. Employers do this assessment to identify the workplace hazards that could potentially harm employees. You need to consider a wide range of risks when you perform a workplace hazard assessment.

Employers should compile a list of all hazards, including:

• Physical
• Chemical
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Biological

After the assessment, employers need to purchase the appropriate protective equipment and train employees on how to use it. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidance for how to perform a hazard assessment in the workplace.

What are the different PPE Levels?

For hazardous environments, there are four levels of personal protective equipment. Each level corresponds to a specific intensity of the protection required. Level D provides the least amount of protection, while Level A provides the most protection.

Level D

Level D requires only minimum protection. Workplaces that require only Level D protection typically pose minimal risk of exposure to serious hazards. Safety glasses, coveralls, gloves, and safety boots are all examples of sufficient Level D protection.

Level C

Level C is the next PPE level for hazardous environments. Level C usually involves the use of respirators. Chemical-resistant gloves and boots are also common Level C PPE, as are hard hats and chemical splash goggles. Level C is required when the concentration and type of airborne substances are known and the criteria for using air purifying respirators are met.

Level B

Level B involves the highest levels of respiratory and skin protection, but at levels lower than those required by Level A. Examples of Level B PPE include face shields and purifying respirators with self-contained breathing apparatus. Chemical-resistant clothes, boots, and gloves are also common Level B PPE.

Level A

Employers require the use of Level A PPE when the hazard exposure risk is the greatest. As such, there’s a need for the highest levels of skin and respiratory protection. Workers must use fully encapsulating chemical and vapor-protective suits for maximum protection. Manufacturers design Level A PPE to protect workers against known or suspected life-threatening substances.

What PPE Must Employers Provide?

OSHA mandates that all employers provide the PPE needed for workplace safety. Employers must purchase any PPE necessary to protect employees from work hazards.

If an employer doesn't provide required PPE, they'll violate OSHA regulations. Violating OSHA standards can result in severe penalties.

What Responsibilities Do Employees Have Regarding PPE?

All companies require employees to undergo training on PPE use and maintenance. The company also obligates employees to use their PPE properly and for its intended purpose. If an employee deliberately damages or loses their PPE, the company might also require them to pay to replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Different Types of PPE Precautions?

Within the healthcare industry, the CDC has defined some universal standard precautions. These precautions function as safety protocols to minimize the spread of infection. Hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, respiratory hygiene, and proper handling and disposal of supplies and waste are all safety precautions. There are also specific precautions and required PPE for different sorts of transmission risks.

Why Do Workers Have to Wear PPE in the Workplace?

OSHA requires employees to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure to hazards. All personal protective equipment (PPE) helps keep workers safe and prevents injuries. The government requires PPE use to ensure employees have a safe working environment. Research published in the Frontiers in Public Health shows that using PPE to prevent incidents can significantly improve safety outcomes. Indeed, appropriate PPE can help reduce the risk of serious workplace injuries.

What Industries Require the Most Specialized PPE?

The healthcare and construction industries are among those that require the most specialized PPE. The pharmaceutical, oil, gas, and mining industries are also notable for needing various types of PPE. Each of these industries has unique safety risks associated with the work. Given this, it shouldn't be surprising that employees need PPE to ensure workplace safety.

Why Is PPE Safety Considered the Last Line of Defense?

In matters of safety, experts from the CDC often refer to what they call the "Hierarchy of Controls". Designed to minimize hazard exposure for workers, this hierarchy has five levels.

Each level recommends certain actions to eliminate or reduce workplace hazards. Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls are the first four levels. PPE equipment is the last line of defense because it's the fifth and final level.

As such, PPE is generally only used when methods from other levels aren't sufficient. Notably, PPE use doesn't eliminate the hazards themselves: it only reduces the risk to employees.

Who Is Responsible for Buying PPE?

Employers are responsible for covering the cost of PPE for their workers. Employers can't require employees to pay for their own required PPE. Additionally, if an employee's PPE wears out due to normal use, it's the employer's responsibility to pay for a replacement. There are exceptions, though. If an employee deliberately loses or damages their PPE, the employer can require them to pay for replacement gear. And if an employee needs special prescription gear, their employer isn't always responsible for covering the cost.

How Should PPE Be Stored and Maintained?

Workers should maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) responsibly. This means keeping it clean and dry, and storing it safely when not in use. Store PPE away from light, dust, and any potential contaminants. This keeps it clean and safe for future use.

How Often Should PPE Be Replaced?

How frequently you'll have to replace your PPE depends on the type of PPE. The conditions of your work environment can also affect how long safety equipment will last. But generally speaking, you should replace your PPE at any sign of wear or damage that affects its use.

Conclusion

As you can see, there's a lot to know when it comes to personal protection equipment. But understanding PPE requirements and the different types of PPE available is an important first step! We hope that the information we've gone over today will prove helpful to you.

References

• CDC. (2024, April 10). About hierarchy of controls. Hierarchy of Controls.
• Malta, G., Matera, S., Plescia, F., Calascibetta, A., Argo, A., & Cannizzaro, E. (2024). Occupational accidents and the use of PPE: a global meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2023). Safety management - Hazard identification and assessment | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA.
• Williams, W. J. Ph.D., and Jaclyn Krah Cichowicz, J.K., M.A. (February 24, 2021). The physiological response of working in cold environments and how your PPE can help. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).