Dangers at Work — Personal Protective Equipment	
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is clothing and equipment worn by 
workers to protect their bodies 
from workplace hazards (dangers).  Employers are required to train eac
h worker who uses PPE about:  
a) When PPE is needed; b) What type of PPE is needed; c) How to correctly put on, take off, adjust, and 
wear PPE; d) Why PPE does not eliminate all dangers and risks; e) Care and how to di
spose of PPE
Types of personal protective equipment include:
Eye Protection
Safety Glasses, Goggles, Face Shields, Laser Shields, Visors
Hearing Protection
Ear Muffs, Ear Plugs
Hand Protection
Finger Guards, Wrist Supports, Gloves (canvas, leather, metal mesh, chemical resistant, rubber)
Leg & Foot Protection
Knee Pads, Leggings, Metatarsal (center of foot) Guards, Shin (front 
of leg) Guards, Steel Toe Shoes, Heat 
Resistant Shoes, Electrical Shock Resistant Shoes
Head Protection
Class C Hard Hats (light impact protection), Class B Hard Hats (elect
ric shock protection 
to 20,000 volts), Class A Hard Hats (hard impact/electric shock protection to 2,200 volts)
Body Protection
Back Brace, Disposal Suits, Special Clothing (wool, cotton, leather, rubber, plastic), 
Creams, Sunscreen
QUICK CHECK:
1) For what words do the initials PPE stand?
2) List 5 things that employers are required to train each worker who u
ses PPE about.
3) List one type of PPE to protect the following for a worker:  a) Eye
.  b) Hearing.  c) Head.    
    d) Leg & Foot.  e) Head.  f) Body.  g) What class hard hat gives light impact protection? 
    h) What class hard hat gives electric shock protection to 2,200 volts?
Using your opinion, answer the following:  
4) List 2 jobs that require workers to wear eye protection while doing 
tasks on the job.
5) List 2 jobs that require workers to wear hearing protection while do
ing tasks on the job.
6) List 2 jobs that require workers to wear hand protection while doing
 tasks on the job.
7) List 2 jobs that require workers to wear foot protection while doing
 tasks on the job.
8) List 2 jobs that require workers to wear head protection while doing
 tasks on the job.
U.S. Work World
CAREER mini-lesson
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.