PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. That can refer hard hats, gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing, earplugs, or any other piece of equipment that protects workers’ bodies from injury.
Companies should always provide PPE for their employees to protect them from job site hazards. It should be given free of charge, it should be fully functional, and should fit properly.
6 Types of PPE:
Eye and face protection
Head protection
Foot and leg protection
Hand and arm protection
Body protection
Hearing protection
When working around machinery, construction equipment, or any other unsafe hazard on the job, PPE should ALWAYS be worn.
It should be noted that PPE should only be used as a last-resort. According to OSHA, controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect employees. In simple terms, this means that physically controlling or stopping a hazard is the best option. For example, erecting a barrier or wall between the hazard and the worker. Or if there is loud noise, confine that noise to a soundproof room and keep workers away as much as possible, etc.
PPE should only be used as a supplement to stopping hazards and should not be the only line of defense against them.
Source: www.onsitesafety.com