Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is anything used or worn by a person to minimise risk to the person's health and safety. This may include (but is not limited to) safety glasses, face shields, safety shoes, gloves, ear plugs / ear muffs, respiratory protective equipment and sunscreen. Please refer to the Personal Protective Equipment Procedures for further information.
Managing Risk
Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate a health and safety risk in the workplace, then other control measures must be put in place. While PPE can be useful, it is one of the least effective safety control measures.
PPE works best when you use it to supplement higher-level control measures or when no other safety measures are available. Before relying on PPE, conduct a risk assessment to see what higher-level control measures are available.
Remember PPE should only be used when:
- there are no other practical control measures available (as a last resort),
- as an interim measure until a more effective way of controlling the risk can be used, or
- to supplement higher level control measures.
PPE should be appropriate for:
- the type of task and level of risk,
- used in every situation where the need has been identified,
- compliant with relevant Australian Standards,
- correctly fitted and used appropriately, and
- maintained, kept clean, tested and stored according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
When PPE is required, the users must be given information, instruction and training in the use, maintenance and storage of the PPE and the records kept by the local area.
Workers Responsibilities
If you are provided with PPE you must:
- use the PPE as required.
- not intentionally misuse or damage the PPE
- participate in the selection of PPE and undertake the required training in its use, maintenance and storage
- inform your supervisor/ manager if PPE is damaged, does not fit correctly or if adverse reaction to its use.
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PPE is used in a number of circumstances including for noise protection, hazardous chemical safety and plant and equipment safety. Further information on these hazards can be found under Topics.
For further information on PPE please refer to the Personal Protective Equipment Procedures.
