Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays an important role in keeping the safety of all personal from potential harm. They are the closes protection to a person and keeping them from danger. As an example, coverall are worn to protect oneself from spark from welding or cut from nearby sharp object. PPE is required by Occupational  Safety Health Administration (OSHA) and must be made with suitable material with the environment.

According to OSHA, employers and employees must choose gloves based on the employee’s job duties, work environment and the performance and construction characteristics of glove materials. Leather, canvas and fabric gloves can protect hands from dirt, splinters, abrasions, cuts and heat, but they can’t fully protect against liquids or strong chemicals. Neoprene, nitrile, vinyl and rubber gloves can protect against liquid and chemical hazards, but each material is only rated to protect against certain types of chemicals. Many of these types of gloves are only intended for a single use and are vulnerable to tears. Specialty gloves can be worn to protect against crushing injuries, heavy vibrations, and situations where multiple hazards are present.

On the other hand, eye protection is required if the job is expose to flying particles, molten metal, acidic liquids, gases, vapors or potentially harmful light radiation. Safety glasses with side shields are effective at protecting against flying objects. Impermeable goggles can be worn while working around liquid, gas or vapor hazards. Face shields can protect the entire face from both flying objects and chemicals. Face shields aren’t a replacement for goggles or safety glasses, because they aren’t as good at protecting the eyes. As of welders, they use special filtered helmets to protect their eyes from radiant light, sparks, flying particles and glare.

Workers might step on sharp objects when working. Therefore, Safety boots with steel or impact-resistant toes are common and should have slip-resistant soles with a strong grip. Boots made of neoprene or nitrile can protect against chemicals or petroleum products. Insulated rubber boots help protect against electric shock. For welders, leather leggings can be worn above or over boots to protect from sparks and molten metal.

All in all, PPE is most crucial part in handling the safety of one self. Accidents are unwanted and unknown event to occur. Thus, it is utmost important to protect ourself first to prevent permanent damage to our body or death.