Types of Personal Protective Equipments -C&G Safety

Personal Protective Equipments(PPE) includes all clothing and accessories designed to protect against safety and health hazards. PPE is designed to provide protection from serious injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other hazards. Careful selection and use of adequate PPE should protect individuals involved in chemical emergencies from hazards effecting the respiratory system, skin, eyes, face, hands, feet, head, body, and hearing. No single combination of protective equipment and clothing is capable of protecting against all hazards. Thus PPE should be used in conjunction with other protective methods, including exposure control procedures and equipment.

Types of PPE

Body protection

Use protective clothing as a safeguard against hazardous material spills, splashes, intense heat, impact, cuts, infectious materials, and radiation exposures. Protective clothing includes lab coats, smocks, scrub suits, gowns, rubber or coated aprons, coveralls, uniforms, and pierce-resistant jackets and vests.

Eye, face, and neck protection

Eye and face protection should protect responders from the hazards of flying fragments, hot sparks, and chemical splashes.

Foot protection

Minimum required PPE that must be worn at all times in a laboratory or technical area is closed toe/heel shoes to protect feet from chemical spills and sharp objects.

Hand protection

Wear proper protective gloves for potential contact with corrosive or toxic materials, materials of unknown toxicity, sharp-edged objects, and very hot or cold materials. Select gloves based on the material handled, the particular hazard involved, and their suitability for the operation conducted.

Head protection

Head protection is indicated for moving or falling objects, the possibility of bumping heads on objects or equipment, or contacting an electrical source. Hard hats must be worn by electricians, construction workers, and any other workers when there is a danger of objects falling from above.

Hearing protection

Earplugs or earmuffs can help prevent damage to hearing. Exposure to high noise levels can cause irreversible hearing loss or impairment as well as physical and psychological stress.

Respiratory protection

Responders should use appropriate respirators to protect against adverse health effects caused by breathing contaminated air.

Types of Personal Protective Equipments -C&G Safety: Types of PPE