Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, bio-hazards, and airborne particulate matter. PPE is specialized clothing or equipment worn by employees for protection against health and safety hazards. Personal protective equipment is designed to protect many parts of the body, i.e., eyes, head, face, hands, feet, and ears.

All PPE should be safely designed and constructed, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit comfortably, encouraging the first responder to use it. If the personal protective equipment does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed.

Take your safety and health seriously. The right equipment (PPE) can help guard against excessive noise, flying debris, sharp objects, chemical spills and other workplace safety hazards. From hard hats, respirators and gloves to earplugs, coveralls and fall protection.