How to Determine When PPE Is Required

PPE is an acronym used for personal protective equipment, which is clothing or equipment that is worn to protect you when working around certain things that can cause harm to you. There are many different types of PPE. PPE is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for those who work in occupations around dangerous conditions.

• Examine your work area and determine if PPE is required: Check for dangerous conditions that would require you to wear protective clothing.


• Protect your legs: You should wear jeans if there is a risk of dangerous or sharp objects flying and hitting your legs. 


• Make yourself visible: Bright colored shirts or safety vests are needed for high visibility, such as when there is heavy machinery being operated. 


• Protect your toes: Steel-toed boots protect your toes on work sites and must be worn where heavy objects that may fall on them. 


• Protect your hands: Gloves will protect your hands from being cut, getting splinters or coming in contact with dangerous materials. These must be worn on work sites where there is risk of your hands coming in contact with any of these items.


• Protect your eyes: Safety goggles will protect your eyes from chemicals, sparks or flying objects. Safety goggles should be shatter resistant and should be OSHA approved.


• Protect your head: Hard hats must be worn to protect your head in work areas where something might fall on your head. All hard hats must be OSHA approved.


• Protect your ears: Ear plugs are required when working around heavy machinery and loud power tools.


• Protect your lungs: When working around fumes and dust, a respiratory mask must be worn.


• Protect your back and knees: When working and lifting heavy objects, a back support must be worn. Knee pads must be worn to protect your knees, joints and shins on work sites that require kneeling.