108 Personal Protective Equipment: Basic

When elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees and ensure that it is used properly. Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards. Examples of PPE include items such as gloves, foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (earplugs, muffs), hard hats, respirators, and full body suits. Remember, PPE should be the last resort in hazard control, not the first choice. Some employers may mistakenly believe PPE is the ultimate solution and might do too much, not too little.

This course provides general information and does not cover all hazards or personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements in the workplace. The content, including methods and procedures, is based on the OSHA requirements for PPE as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for general industry in the following OSHA 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment.

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