Lesson 3 of 4

PPE: your last line of defence

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is the gear you wear to protect your body at work. It matters, but it is not the first thing to reach for. It is the last line of defence.

What PPE is

PPE is anything worn to protect you from a hazard that is still there. Common examples are:

  • Safety shoes or boots for feet, against falling objects and sharp items on the floor.
  • Gloves for hands, against cuts, rough surfaces and some substances.
  • Hard hats for the head, where things could fall or you could bump into something.
  • Eye protection against dust, splashes and flying pieces.
  • Ear protection where the noise is loud.
  • High-visibility clothing so that drivers and operators can see you.

Which PPE you need depends on your job and your workplace. Your employer should tell you what to wear. If you are unsure, ask your manager or safety representative.

PPE is the last line of defence Four stacked bars from strongest to weakest: remove the hazard, keep people away, change how work is done, wear PPE. The last bar, PPE, is highlighted. 1. Remove the hazard 2. Keep people away from it 3. Change how the work is done 4. Wear PPE (last line of defence) Stronger at the top. PPE is needed when the hazard cannot be removed.
PPE protects you only after the earlier steps have been tried. It does not make the hazard go away.

Why it is the last line

PPE does not remove the hazard. It only stands between you and it. If the glove is torn, the helmet is left in the car, or the boots are the wrong type, the hazard is still there and you are unprotected. That is why a good workplace tries to remove or block hazards first, and uses PPE as well.

Wear it right

  • Wear it every time the job needs it, even for a quick task.
  • Make sure it fits. Gear that is too loose or too tight can get caught or can fail to protect.
  • Wear it the way it was designed to be worn. A hard hat on the back of the head, or boots with the laces undone, protect much less.
  • Use the right PPE for the hazard. Cloth gloves are not made for every substance. If you are not sure it is right, ask first.

Check it, keep it, report damage

Look over your PPE before each shift. You are looking for cracks, tears, worn soles, loose parts and anything dirty enough to hide a problem. If something is damaged, do not use it. Tell your supervisor and ask for a replacement. Store your PPE somewhere clean and dry, and do not lend it to others unless your employer allows it.

Example

A worker notices that the sole of one safety boot is peeling away at the front. It is easy to say "I'll wear it for one more day". Instead, the worker tells the supervisor before starting work, and uses a spare pair until a new one arrives. A boot that comes apart on a wet floor is no longer protecting anyone.

If you need PPE and do not have it

If your job needs PPE and you have not been given it, do not carry on and hope for the best. Raise it with your manager or safety representative.

Key points
  • PPE protects your body from a hazard that is still there. It is the last line of defence.
  • Wear the right PPE, correctly fitted, every time the job needs it.
  • Check it before each shift. Damaged PPE must be reported and replaced, not used.
  • If you need PPE and do not have it, tell your manager or safety representative.