Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is clothing, equipment or substances designed to be
worn by someone to protect them from risks of injury or illness.
PPE should only be considered as a control measure when exposure to a risk cannot be
minimised in another way, or when used in conjunction with other control
measures as a final barrier between the worker and the hazard. PPE does not
control the hazard at the source.
worn by someone to protect them from risks of injury or illness.
PPE should only be considered as a control measure when exposure to a risk cannot be
minimised in another way, or when used in conjunction with other control
measures as a final barrier between the worker and the hazard. PPE does not
control the hazard at the source.
Why should you use it?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and administrative controls are lowest on the
hierarchy of control measures. PPE does not control the hazard at the source and
should not be relied on as the main control measure unless it is a temporary or
interim measure or when options higher on the list of controls have been
exhausted. PPE can be used effectively in conjunction with other control
measures to manage exposure to a risk.
The effectiveness of PPE as a control measure is limited as it can:
- be uncomfortable to wear
- make working difficult
- createother risks to a person’s health and safety
- be expensive in the long term
hierarchy of control measures. PPE does not control the hazard at the source and
should not be relied on as the main control measure unless it is a temporary or
interim measure or when options higher on the list of controls have been
exhausted. PPE can be used effectively in conjunction with other control
measures to manage exposure to a risk.
The effectiveness of PPE as a control measure is limited as it can:
- be uncomfortable to wear
- make working difficult
- createother risks to a person’s health and safety
- be expensive in the long term