PPE can be broken down into eight basic categories: hearing protection, eye and face protection, head protection, foot protection, torso protection, hand protection, fall protection and respiratory protection. The type and extent of PPE requirements can be determined via a number of ways: material safety data sheets (MSDS), job safety analysis (JSA), atmospheric testing, past incidents and employee input, just to name a few. Once the specific hazards are identified, you can start making decisions about exactly what PPE is required.
While there are volumes written about each type of PPE, this article provides simple, useful pointers that will help educate your employees and ultimately keep them safer.