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Introduction for 10 common types of PPE

10 common types of PPE Personal protective equipment, commonly called PPE, consists of specialized clothing and equipment designed to create a barrier against workplace hazards. From hard hats to safety goggles to fall protection gear, proper PPE use is crucial for protecting workers from a wide variety of risks present in all types of job sites, industrial operations, and trades.

This guide will outline 10 of the most prevalent PPE types recommended across industries. Following manufacturer specifications and regulations helps ensure the right gear is chosen based on potential dangers. Understanding common PPE can empower employees to prioritize on-the-job safety.

Section 1 Head Protection

One area all worksites have in common is protecting the head from falling or swinging objects. 10 common types of PPE Hard hats are a universal solution, using a sturdy plastic or fiberglass shell and suspension system to guard against impacts. They come in various sizes and include optional accessories like faceshields or earmuff attachments.

 

• Hard hats – Most ubiquitous type of head protection, used to guard against impact/falling objects
• Bump caps – Lighter duty option for tasks with lower overhead hazards
• Mesh caps – Ventilated style good for warmer worksites
• Face shields – Provide eye and face coverage when using tools/working near risks

For tasks with lower overhead hazards, bump caps provide lightweight head coverage. 10 common types of PPE Made from impact-resistant polymers, their lower profile fits under machinery or scaffolding. Another ventilated option includes mesh caps, which allow air flow to prevent overheating – important for tasks in warm indoor or outdoor environments.

Faceshields worn with hard hats offer supplementary eye and facial protection against risks like flying debris or chemical splashes. Their clear screen keeps the entire face safe during tasks like woodworking, chipping, grinding, welding, or sandblasting.

Section 2 Eye and Face Protection

No matter the industry, protecting the eyes should always be a top priority. 10 common types of PPE Standard safety glasses feature flexible frames and impact-resistant lenses, meeting basic ANSI impact standards. They conveniently fit over most workers’ regular prescription eyewear too.

• Safety glasses – Basic eye protection from impact/debris found in many work environments
• Safety goggles – Form-fitting option that fully seals around eyes for dust/chemical risks
• Welding helmets – Shades the entire face and eyes during welding/cutting tasks
• Face shields – Clear screen that attaches to hard hats for added facial coverage

When there are risks of flying particles or chemicals, it’s better to size up to protective goggles. 10 common types of PPE Their form-fitting flexible or foam seal fully surrounds the ocular cavity for extra safeguarding. Options also exist rated specifically for dust, chemicals, or welding light/particulate risks.

Welding helmets are essential PPE for any job involving welding, brazing, cutting or torch work. Heavy-duty and fully enclosing, they automatically adjust to different helmet shades to safely view the work area while blocking sparks and radiation. Flip-up style variants allow easier access on/off.

Full faceshields provide 360-degree facial coverage as a complement to other PPE like safety glasses. 10 common types of PPE They shield the eyes, face, neck and throat from materials like liquids, dust or debris during production, cleanup or labor tasks.

Section 3 Hearing Protection

Loud machinery, power tools, or industrial settings put workers at risk of permanent noise-induced hearing damage over time. 10 common types of PPE Basic disposable earplugs made of foam or silicone put a comfortable, affordable filter between environmental sound and ear canal. Reusable options also exist.

• Earplugs – Disposable or reusable foam plugs that fit snuggly in ear canals
• Earmuffs – Cushioned pads that protect ears from external noise with an insulating seal
• Communication headsets – Allow workers to safely hear in loud settings while protecting hearing

For very high noise areas, earmuffs or headbands with padded earcup covers offer enhanced protection. 10 common types of PPE They form an acoustically insulating seal around each ear, shielding up to 30 decibels or better depending on class. Communication headsets integrate earmuff cups with microphones and speakers to allow operating equipment safely while still communicating.

Section 4 Hand Protection

Hands face all manner of hazards from heavy items and materials to chemicals, heat sources, cuts and punctures. 10 common types of PPE Common industrial weight-duty vinyl or nitrile gloves provide a cost-effective barrier for intermittent protection against abrasions during tasks like machinery operation, handling stock, or cleanup.

• General purpose gloves – Light-duty option often required for basic material handling
• Cut-resistant gloves – Kevlar or similar materials protect hands from cuts/abrasions
• Chemical gloves – Rated for compatibility with hazardous liquids, acids, solvents etc.
• Insulated gloves – Guard hands from electrical/thermal risks, available in various temperatures ratings

Cut-resistant gloves, 10 common types of PPE made from materials like Kevlar® or steel mesh, protect against sharp edges, glass, and other hazards. Select the appropriate cut level (A-C with C blocking the most energy) and gauge/weight based on your exact risk. Chemical-resistant gloves choose plastics or laminated rubber best compatible with the specific liquids, vapors, or products handled.

For jobs dealing with heat sources like welding, ovens, liquids, electrical tools or other thermal exposures, insulated gloves rated for various temperature levels assure safety to at least 300-1,000°F or more depending on material. 10 common types of PPE Their fiberglass, leather, or synthetic construction keeps hands comfortable even in extreme conditions.

Section 5 Fall Protection

Working at heights is one workplace danger that can be mitigated through proper fall protection equipment. Safety harnesses secure the torso while allowing full mobility. 10 common types of PPE Their various attachment points accommodate fall arrest, work positioning, and rescue lifelines for tasks requiring climbing, leaning over edges, or working on elevated scaffolds or structures.

• Harnesses – Full body straps provide fall arrest attachment points for tasks with fall hazards
• Positioning lanyards – Enable workers to be safely tied off during leaning/reaching tasks
• Retractable lanyards – Self-retracting lanyards make moving while tied off more convenient

Integrated adjustable hardware distributes fall forces across thighs, pelvis and shoulders to minimize injury risk in a controlled 6-foot arrest. 10 common types of PPE D-rings in chest and back enable connecting other compatible equipment like retractable lanyards or self-retracting lifelines depending on work being done.

Lanyards only a few feet long with connectors on both ends safely tether workers in positions where they are exposed to a fall, such as out windows, on roofs or near floor/wall openings. The compact retractable style also lets attached users conveniently move around while still anchored, preventing hazardous free-swings or falls through openings.

Section 6 Respiratory Protection

Dusts, gases, vapors and small particle hazards require a higher level of protection than basic coverings or glasses. 10 common types of PPE Respirators either purify inhaled air or supply breathable air from an independent source. Disposable filtering facepiece respirators like N95 masks effectively remove airborne solids and non-oil based liquid droplets.

For known contaminants requiring a filter, half or full-facepiece models use interchangeable cartridges fitted with color coded filtering elements to purify incoming air through mechanical or chemical means based on the risk. Supplied air respirators supply clean uncompressed or compressed breathable air from a safe remote source like compressed air cylinders via long hoses.

Powered air-purifying respirators concentrate ambient air through a battery-powered blower and set of filters worn on a belt. 10 common types of PPE Tight-fitting abrasion-resistant facepieces form a tight seal dependent on proper sizing and fit testing. Proper cartridge selection, maintenance, and training is also key to using respirators safely.

Section 7 Protective Clothing

Like all discussed PPE, protective clothing comes in forms suitable for specific applications. 10 common types of PPE Basic clothing like coveralls keep worksites clean and prevent contamination from dusts, particulate or airborne debris. Their full-coverage woven or non-woven fabrics also guard against cuts from sharp edges.

High-visibility vests, shirts or jackets ensure workers remain easily visible in industrial areas rife with moving vehicles and equipment. 10 common types of PPE ANSI class 2-3 apparel requires higher levels of retroreflectivity for nighttime or low-light conditions to ensure safety.

Chemically protective clothing like Tyvek® suits forms a barrier to liquids, achieving ASTM liquid and solid penetration resistance standards. Their breathable disposable fabrics shield against exposures without accumulating moisture next to the wearer’s skin.

Sections 8 Additional PPE

These sections delve into protective clothing like chemical protective suits, specialized foot protection including steel toe/composite toe boots, metatarsal guards, insulating/conductive footwear, protective sleeves/arm guards, and protective covers/blankets used in welding/metalwork etc.

 

Sections 9 Face Shields:

• Provide full facial coverage from impacts or splashes from above, 10 common types of PPE the sides or below
• Attach easily over existing safety glasses or can be worn alone
• Clear plastic shield allows full vision of the work area
• Good for tasks like grinding, chipping, welding flashes, chemical handling
• Fogging can be an issue for some, so quality models feature anti-fog coatings
• Easy to disinfect between uses compared to form-fitting options

 Goggles

 

• Provide ergonomic sealing directly around each eye area
• Minimal peripheral vision loss compared to a full face shield
• Won’t fog up as much as shields since they don’t cover as much surface area
• Available in indirect vented or D.O.G. (Direct Optical Grinding) styles
• Indirect ventilation protects from splash entry but still allows airflow
• D.O.G. styles seal tightly for better dust, debris and spark protection
• Must be properly sized and fitted to ensure a comfortable sealed fit
• Not as easily donned/doffed as shields, may require minor adjustments

In general, shields offer full frontal protection of the face area but can steam up more easily. 10 common types of PPE Goggles contour closely around the eyes for clearer vision and less fogging depending on the model. Both have their place based on the specific Risk Assessment – goggles for nearer work and shields for broader facial coverage against potential impacts or splashes from various angles. Proper selection depends on your tasks.

Sections 10 Safety shoe

Safety shoes are designed to protect the feet from hazards like heavy objects, chemicals, electrical risks, and slippery surfaces.

Steel-toe shoes contain a reinforced steel insert in the toe cap to guard against crushing injuries from falling or rolling objects. Composite safety toes made of lightweight fiber materials provide similar protection.

Steel/metatarsal boots extend protection to cover the top of the foot as well, shielding critical metatarsal bones in the event of a heavy impact injury. Required for more dangerous work like construction or waste handling.

Slip-resistant soles, usually containing extra gripping textures, help prevent slip and fall accidents on wet or oily surfaces commonly found in factories and warehouses.

Electrical hazard boots contain conductive sole layers to discharge static and protect from exposed voltages up to 600V or more, important for utility line-work or other energized tasks.

Specialty varieties also exist rated for chemical exposure, oil/grease resistance, extreme cold insulation, or safety environments like food processing plants with strict sanitation requirements.

Proper fitting is important to ensure comfort for long shifts while also protecting the toes and top of feet from job site dangers. The right safety shoes can help workers stay healthy on the job. It pays to evaluate your work conditions and select shoes appropriate to your specific hazards.

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Conclusion for 10 common types of PPE

• Recap the 10 most common PPE types covered and emphasize importance of assessing risk for proper selection
• Note new technologies continue advancing PPE to protect changing modern work environments
• Encourage following manufacturers recommendations/regulations for the safest work conditions

In summary, utilizing the proper personal protective equipment customized to the unique hazards of each work environment helps safeguard employees. 10 common types of PPE Ongoing training ensures PPE continues being appropriately selected, worn, inspected and maintained over the long term according to manufacturer recommendations and safety regulations. Prioritizing workforce safety in this way helps everyone return home safely at the end of each day.