PPE: Maintenance & Care

Depending on the hazards encountered while performing assigned job tasks, your employer may require you to use properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid injuries and illnesses.

Some of the most common types of PPE are:

• Eye protection
• Face protection
• Hearing protection
• Head protection
• Hand protection
• Foot protection
• Respiratory protection

Each of the above are designed to provide a certain level of protection if used and cared for as intended by the manufacturer. One of the factors which helps maintain the level of protection is that the device is kept in a clean and sanitary manner. Usually, unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer, this entails washing the components of the device in warm water with a mild detergent on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly as conditions warrant).

If the safety device is shared by more than one person, it must be cleaned and sanitized after each use.

Personal protective equipment should be inspected frequently and any defective parts or devices immediately removed from service until repaired and in good operating condition.