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Personal protective equipment

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Overview

Personal protective equipment protects workers from hazards such as chemicals, electricity, fumes, sharp objects, and noise. Personal protective equipment - usually called PPE - includes items such as goggles, coveralls, gloves, vests, earplugs, respirators, and personal fall-arrest gear. PPE, when used properly, protects against hazards, but does not eliminate them.

If you are a general industry, construction, or agricultural employer, you must do a hazard assessment to determine if your workplace has hazards that you cannot eliminate or control without PPE. A hazard assessment is an evaluation of your workplace that helps you determine what hazards your employees are exposed to and what PPE they need to protect themselves.

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  • English
    • Hearing Conservation for At-Risk Workers grant project video
      Geared especially to construction and trades workers who may already have some hearing loss, this comprehensive training package covers: The nature of sound and how the ear processes sound; the causes and types of hearing loss; the importance of identifying noise hazards; and the use of the proper hearing protection for the work setting.
      Length: English  
    • N95 Respirator - How to Put on and Use | Mask, OSHA, Smoke, Respiratory Protection
      Employers must implement a comprehensive written respiratory program when employees are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous gases or vapors, dust, fumes, mists, other airborne particles and infectious agents, or insufficient levels of oxygen. Respiratory protection is required when control of the hazard is not feasible through engineering controls or while controls are being instituted.
      Length: English  
    • Respirator Safety
      When you must wear a respirator to protect yourself against airborne contaminants in your workplace, it is very important to follow proper procedures for putting it on and taking it off.
      Length: English  
    • To The Point About Personal Protective Equipment (TrainingVideoNow)
      When our body parts are exposed to certain hazards there is a potential for bodily harm to occur. Properly selecting and wearing personal protective equipment can reduce or eliminate this exposure, prevent injuries and save lives.
      Length: English  
  • Spanish

Additional Resources

Technical Manual, Section VII: Protective Equipment,