What Is PPE? Personal Protective Equipment Explained

Personal protective equipment is anything a worker wears or uses to reduce contact with a hazard. It puts a barrier between your body and the danger: a falling tool, flying chips, loud noise, dust, chemicals, sharp edges or traffic.

PPE does not remove the hazard. The danger is still there. That is why PPE must be chosen for the exact hazard, worn the right way every time, and kept in good shape. Many injuries happen because PPE was missing, damaged, the wrong type, or worn the wrong way.

Common examples include hard hats, safety glasses and face shields, earplugs and earmuffs, respirators, work gloves, safety boots, high-visibility vests, coveralls and aprons.

Safety professionals use the hierarchy of controls to pick the best way to deal with a hazard. The options at the top work best. PPE is at the bottom:

1. Elimination: remove the hazard completely.
2. Substitution: replace it with something less dangerous.
3. Engineering controls: isolate people from the hazard, such as guards, barriers or ventilation.
4. Administrative controls: change the way people work, such as procedures, training, signs and job rotation.
5. PPE: protect the worker when the other controls cannot reduce the risk enough.

PPE is last because it depends on people. If the gear fails, does not fit or is not worn, the worker is exposed. Employers should use the higher controls first, and PPE on top of them where risk remains.

Each type comes in many versions. A glove that stops cuts may not stop chemicals. A dust mask is not the same as a respirator for fumes. The key skill is matching the PPE to the hazard in front of you.

In Canada, PPE rules are set in provincial and territorial OHS regulations, and in federal rules for federally regulated workplaces. The details vary, but the basic duties are similar everywhere:

• Employers must look at the hazards, use other controls first, and make sure workers have the right PPE where it is needed. They must train workers on how to use it and make sure it is used.
• Supervisors must make sure their crew wears the required PPE and that it is in good condition.
• Workers must wear and use the PPE required for the job, look after it, and report damaged or missing gear.

Who pays for which items can differ by province and by type of PPE, so check your local rules and your company policy. Much PPE must also meet a recognized standard, which is shown by markings and ratings on the gear.

• Match the hazard. Know what you are protecting against before you pick the gear.
• Check markings and ratings. Labels show what the item is rated for. Make sure it fits the job.
• Get a good fit. Loose gloves, a sliding hard hat or a poorly sealed respirator will not protect you. Tight-fitting respirators need a fit test.
• Inspect before each use. Look for cracks, tears, holes, worn soles, or faded and dirty hi-vis.
• Clean and store it properly. Keep it away from sunlight, heat and chemicals that can weaken it.
• Replace it when it is damaged, worn out, or past the maker’s service life.

Watch for common mistakes. Safety glasses pushed up on the head, earplugs that are not fully inserted, a hard hat worn backwards when it is not designed for that, and gloves with holes all give a false sense of safety. If your PPE gets in the way of the work, tell your supervisor so a better option can be found, instead of taking it off.

Anyone who wears PPE on the job, and anyone who chooses PPE for others. That includes workers in:

Supervisors who choose PPE for their crew and make sure it is used also benefit. Your employer must still train you on the specific PPE used at your site.

The Gama Safety Personal Protective Equipment course has two parts and takes about 35 minutes:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): what PPE is, why it is the last line of defence in the hierarchy of controls, and the duties of employers and workers.
• Specific PPE guidance: how to select, wear, inspect and care for head, eye and face, hearing, respiratory, hand, foot and body protection.

Does PPE training expire? There is no single national expiry date. It depends on your province and employer. Many employers ask for a refresher every 1 to 3 years, and you should be retrained when your PPE or your job changes.

1. Enrol in the online PPE course and start right away on your phone, tablet or computer.
2. Learn at your own pace. Your progress saves automatically.
3. Pass the final exam with 80% or better. Retakes are unlimited and free.
4. Download your certificate right away. A physical wallet card is mailed to you free.

The course is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin and more, and is recognized by employers across Canada. Training a team? Volume pricing starts at 2 seats, with an admin dashboard to track progress.