The hazard
PPE is the gear you wear to protect your body from a hazard, like hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves and safety-toe boots. It is the last line of defense, after the hazard has been removed or controlled as far as possible. PPE only works when it is the right gear for the hazard, fits, is in good shape and is actually worn. Gear left in the truck protects nobody.
The action
Each piece of PPE is matched to a hazard: hard hats for falling objects, safety glasses or goggles for flying chips and dust, hearing protection for noise, the right gloves for cuts, burns or chemicals, and safety-toe boots for crushed toes. When flying objects are a hazard, eye protection must have side protection, and clip-on or slide-on side shields that meet the rule are acceptable. Regular prescription glasses are not safety glasses. (29 CFR 1926.102(a)(2))
ASK THE CREW
Which piece of your PPE does not fit right or gets in your way, and what would fix it?
From the talk: Personal protective equipment (PPE). Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.