How to Choose PPE That Fits Your Needs

When you work in a dangerous environment, you must wear approved personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect yourself from hazards. PPE comes in many forms, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves and raincoats. Each piece of PPE is designed to protect you from an identified hazard. The right PPE can help keep you safe while working. However, there are so many different types of protective equipment out there that choosing the best one for your job can be confusing. This article discusses the different types of personal protective equipment and explains when each is necessary for safe work conditions. 

You’ll learn about which factors to consider when choosing PPE and see examples of several different types of PPE so that you can choose what works best for your job site or operation.

PPE stands for personal protective equipment. When you wear PPE on the job, you protect yourself from potential hazards that could cause injury or illness. Therefore, it’s essential to wear PPE correctly and use the right level of protection for your particular work environment. Hard hats, safety glasses, gloves and raincoats are all common types of PPE. Hard hats protect workers from head injuries caused by falling objects, contact with electrical hazards and other hazards that can impact your head.

They also have different types of headbands and suspension systems. When choosing a hard hat, look for one that meets your industry standards and fits snugly. A hard hat that sits too loosely could become dislodged during work and fail to protect you from hazards. 

Raincoats and rain boots protect workers from splash hazards, like chemicals, chemicals and water. When choosing a raincoat and rain boots, look for ones that are made of waterproof fabric and will protect you from the type of hazard you expect at your job site. 

Hard hats are common pieces of PPE used on construction sites and other jobs where workers are at risk of head injury. They are designed to reduce the potential for brain and skull injuries when a hard object, such as a piece of falling metal or a dropped tool, makes contact with the top of the head. 

Hard hats come in different colours and shapes. They also have different types of headbands and suspension systems. When choosing a hard hat, look for one that meets your industry standards and fits snugly. A hard hat that sits too loosely could become dislodged during work and fail to protect you from hazards.

Safety glasses are a common type of eye protection used in many industries. They protect your eyes from flying debris, dust, chemical splashes, and UV rays. They come in different shapes and sizes, and you can find ones with tinted or transparent lenses. When choosing safety glasses, look for ones that have UV protection, are designed to fully cover your eyes and have a sturdy frame that stays in place on your face. You should be able to comfortably wear safety glasses on the job for several hours at a time.

Gloves are often used in industries such as construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities. They protect your hands from cuts, abrasions, chemical burns and heat. When choosing gloves, look for ones that protect your hands from the hazards you expect at your job site. Glove materials vary from fabric to synthetic materials such as nitrile, latex or vinyl. The material used in the gloves will depend on the hazards you expect to encounter. When using gloves, it’s essential to choose the right size and wear them properly to ensure full protection. Safety gloves should fit snugly but not be so tight that they restrict your movement.

Raincoats and rain boots are pieces of PPE used in industries where you might encounter water, chemicals or other hazards. They are designed to protect you from splash hazards by covering the tops of your lower body. When choosing a raincoat and rain boots, look for ones that are made of waterproof fabric and will protect you from the type of hazard you expect at your job site. 

Be sure that the raincoat fits you correctly and that the boots have adequate tread on the soles to prevent slipping. Raincoats come in different styles and lengths. Some have hoods that cover your head, while others have drawstrings to cinch the hood around your head. 

You can find raincoats that are breathable, lightweight and designed to keep you warm in cold weather. Rain boots come in different heights, ranging from low-top to over-the-top styles. In addition, you can find rain boots made from fabric or rubber, depending on the hazards you expect to encounter. When choosing rain boots, look for ones that fit properly and have adequate tread on the soles to prevent slipping.

Full body protection sometimes referred to as encapsulated suits, are unique pieces of PPE designed to keep you safe while working in hazardous conditions, such as working with chemicals or cleaning up toxic substances. Full body protection is often used by workers who handle dangerous materials, such as first responders or hazardous materials specialists. You may also need complete body protection when working in extreme temperatures, such as in extremely cold or hot weather. When choosing full body protection, look for a suit that keeps you safe from the hazards you expect to encounter at your job site and fits your body type. 

Complete body protection comes in various styles, including coveralls, jumpsuits, one-piece suits, long-sleeve shirts and hooded jackets. Complete body protection should be made from a material resistant to the hazards you expect to encounter at your job site. It’s important to choose a suit that fits you properly to remain in place while you work.

When you work in a dangerous environment, you must wear approved personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect yourself from hazards. PPE comes in many forms, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves and raincoats. 

Each piece of PPE is designed to protect you from an identified hazard. The right PPE can help keep you safe while working. 

There are so many different types of protective equipment out there that choosing the best one for your job can be confusing.

Contact us today at Active Workwear if you like to talk through the best PPE for your job,