Personal protective
equipment, also known as PPE, is
any protective clothing, accessories, or gear designed to safeguard the
wearer's body in case of injury or infection. The main hazards addressed by
personal protective equipment are physical, chemical, thermal, moisture, and
airborne contaminants.
What are PPE Items?
Some typical PPE items are full-body, mask, gloves,
respirators, eyewear, etc. Most common PPEs are used in jobs such as
agriculture, construction, chemical processing, electricity generation,
medical, industrial, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, transportation, and the
service industries. A typical worker can be exposed to up to 100 airborne
particles per hour through what is termed as "indoor air pollution."
In fact, PPEs can help prevent and mitigate diseases caused by exposure to such
particles.
A PPE usually consists of a protective suit with an
integrated chinstrap and a pair of gloves. Depending on the hazard assessment
performed, PPE might also include a face mask, special lenses, a bio-hazard
suit, and a respiratory protection system, among others. PPE is generally
applied before starting work in a certain work area to minimize the hazards
that could be present. However, PPE should not be used for "foggy" or
dusty conditions because the worker's eyes may become irritated or swollen and
his breathing could become affected.