Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the last line of defense, not the first, when it comes to protecting workers. When it comes to establishing controls to decrease hazards, first comes elimination, then substitution, then engineering controls, administrative controls, work practice controls, then finally PPE.

PPE goes back hundreds of years. As far back as the 1st century there have been recorded cases of PPE used for dust and respiratory protection. As we have studied injury and illness in the workplace over the centuries we have evolved and developed ways to protect our workers.

Did you know?

Employers must provide PPE to their employees. OSHA and OK PEOSH states that employers must supply required PPE items to employees when a hazard is present (29 CFR 1910.132).
Training on PPE is imperative and required. OSHA and OK PEOSH requires all employers to provide training to each employee who is required to use PPE based on an on-the-job hazard assessment.
PPE is a “point of contact” control. Meaning that because a hazard is not able to be removed thru elimination, substitution, engineering, or administrative controls the workers must have and use PPE to protect them from the hazard and reduces the likelihood of exposure to the hazards.
The most common types of PPE are: Head protection, eye and face protection, respiratory protection, hand & skin protection, and hearing protection. Choosing not to provide protection and enforce its use can and will cost your organization financially, ethically, and morally.