TYPES OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety

helmets, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, high-visibility
clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses, is
designed as a prevention for work injuries. As an
important means of protection against health and
safety risks at work, it is crucial to choose equipment
that are effective and reliable and thereafter ensuring
that they are being properly used and maintained.

Image by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas via Wikimedia Commons

Below are the different categories of PPE, each with specific protective attributes, worn to ensure
the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace.

1. SKIN PROTECTION
The second most common type of occupational disease, skin diseases are caused by skin hazards,
which include chemical, biological and physical agents, as well as mechanical trauma. Skin
protection is used as a barrier between the skin and harmful substances, for instance, gloves,
coveralls, laboratory coats, surgical gowns, full body suits and face shields.

2. RESPIRATORS
Serve to preserve the health of ones respiratory tract and to protect against adverse health effects
caused by breathing contaminated air, respirators are divided into two main types: Air-Purifying
Respirators (APRs) and Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs). APRs remove contaminants in the air
by filtering out particulates whereas the SARs supply clean respirable air from a compressed air
tank or through an airline.

Image via Hospotrade

3. EYE PROTECTION
Safety spectacles, laser safety goggles, goggles and
welding shields are some common examples of eye
protection. All of these PPE should have the ability to
protect against eye and face hazards, such as flying
particles and harmful light radiation and they should fit
properly as well as provide unrestricted vision and
movement.
Image via How to Make Play Dough

4. HEARING PROTECTION
Often overlooked as an occupational hazard, excessive, potentially damaging high industrial noise
levels can result in irreversible hearing loss or impairment. Single-use earplugs, pre-formed or
molded earplugs and earmuffs are hearing protectors worn so as to reduce ones noise exposure to
within the acceptable limits.

5. HEAD PROTECTION
Protective helmets or hard hats are worn in order to prevent potential head injuries. They are
designed in such a way that they are able to absorb the shock of a blow and resist penetration by
objects. These protective headgears are also water-resistant and slow burning.