What is the primary advantage of using personal protective equipment?

The primary advantage of using personal protective equipment (PPE) is that it provides a basic level of safety even in the event of failures or shortcomings of other safety measures. PPE serves as a supplemental layer of defense, ensuring that workers have an additional safeguard against potential hazards they may encounter while performing their jobs. For instance, PPE includes items such as helmets, gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection, all of which protect individuals from various environmental dangers, including chemical exposure, falling objects, and airborne particles.

While machine guarding and other safety measures are crucial in minimizing risks, there is always a chance that these systems could fail, be bypassed, or not account for every conceivable hazard in a workplace. Therefore, the use of PPE is essential as it helps to maintain a baseline level of protection that remains active regardless of the status of other safety devices. This layered approach to safety is fundamental in occupational health and safety practices.