PPE is equipment you wear or use to reduce your exposure to a specific hazard. Examples include head, eye and foot protection, gloves, respirators, aprons, full body suits and fall protection.
PPE is the last line of defence
PPE doesn't remove a hazard. It only reduces the risk of injury. That's why it comes after elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls. If you're relying on PPE alone, ask whether the hazard could be controlled a better way.
Your employer's part
- Decide what PPE each task needs, based on the hazards.
- Make sure workers use it, and tell them what's needed and how to look after it.
- Make sure PPE fits and that workers get education and training on using it.
Your part
- Wear the PPE that's required for the task, every time. By law, workers must use PPE when it's required.
- Report PPE that's damaged, defective or missing to your supervisor.
- Make sure it fits you. Equipment that doesn't fit may not protect you.
- Clean and maintain it the way your employer shows you.
- Ask if you don't know how to use something, such as a respirator or a harness. Your employer must provide training on the PPE you need.
Requirements for specific PPE are set by each jurisdiction. Your employer and your regulator can tell you what applies.
Key takeaways
- PPE reduces exposure but doesn't remove the hazard.
- Workers must use PPE when it's required.
- Report damaged, defective or missing PPE.
- PPE has to fit and you need to know how to use it.