What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

What can be done to ensure proper use of PPE?

All PPE should be safely designed and constructed, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit comfortably, encouraging worker use. If PPE does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. Exposures are to be engineered away first to ensure that workers are not exposed to danger. If engineering controls are not feasible, administrative controls (work practice) are to be used to minimize exposure times. PPE should be the last opportunity to protect a worker after engineering and administrative controls.

Employers are also required to train each worker to use PPE to know:

• When and what type it is necessary.
• How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off.
• The limitations of the equipment.
• Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment.

How do employees obtain PPE?

Employers must provide PPE to workers at no cost and ensure its proper use. Employees at SSOE Group are not permitted to purchase their own PPE and all PPE must be approved by the Safety Department. This includes hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, vests, face shields, fire retardant clothing, fall protection, respirators, and other equipment for your work. At SSOE Group, employees must request PPE by submitting a Helpdesk ticket and indicating the need, the project and dates the equipment will be needed. Have you identified a way for your employees to request PPE?

Lastly, Safety always is ALWAYS!!