What is PPE?

 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.