Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should never be used as the only effort to protect employees from workplace hazards.
The Essential Role and Limitations of PPE
While PPE is a crucial component of workplace safety strategies, designed to reduce an individual's exposure to hazards, it is not intended to be the sole solution for employee protection. Instead, it serves as a supplementary measure, typically recommended for workers in the field or in situations where higher-level controls are not feasible or fully effective. Relying exclusively on PPE means that the underlying hazard itself remains unaddressed, posing a continuous risk.
PPE: A Last Resort in Hazard Control
Effective workplace safety prioritizes controlling hazards at their source before individual protection. This approach is codified in the Hierarchy of Controls, a widely recognized system for minimizing or eliminating exposure to hazards. PPE occupies the lowest tier in this hierarchy, meaning it should be considered only after other, more effective control measures have been explored and implemented.
Understanding the Hierarchy of Controls
The Hierarchy of Controls prioritizes interventions based on their effectiveness in reducing risk. It moves from the most effective and preferred methods down to those that offer the least control over the hazard itself.
| Level | Description | Example | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Elimination | Physically remove the hazard entirely. | Redesigning a process to remove the need for a hazardous chemical. | Highest |
| 2. Substitution | Replace the hazardous material or process with a safer one. | Switching from a toxic cleaning agent to a non-toxic alternative. | High |
| 3. Engineering Controls | Isolate people from the hazard or modify the work environment. | Installing ventilation systems, machine guards, or sound-dampening. | Medium-High |
| 4. Administrative Controls | Change the way people work through procedures or training. | Implementing job rotation, creating safe work practices, warning signs. | Medium-Low |
| 5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Protect the worker with personal gear. | Providing safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, or respirators. | Lowest |
As the table illustrates, PPE is the final line of defense, acting as a barrier between the worker and the hazard, rather than eliminating or controlling the hazard itself.
Practical Implications and Best Practices
For a robust safety program, businesses must prioritize implementing controls from the top of the hierarchy.
- Before relying on PPE, consider if the hazard can be eliminated or substituted.
- If elimination or substitution isn't possible, focus on engineering controls to reduce exposure. For instance, instead of just providing earplugs for loud machinery, first explore options to reduce the machine's noise or enclose it.
- Next, implement administrative controls like establishing strict safety protocols, providing comprehensive training, or limiting exposure times through job rotation.
- Only after these higher-level controls have been exhausted or are insufficient should PPE be selected and used to provide an additional layer of protection. For example, if a hazardous chemical must be used and engineering controls like ventilation are in place, appropriate gloves and eye protection (PPE) would then be added to ensure maximum safety.
The goal is always to minimize the risk of exposure by addressing the hazard at its source, making PPE a supplementary measure, not the primary or sole solution.
