In many kinds of jobs, Personal Protective Equipment is required to help reduce employee exposure to hazards. Common equipment includes hard hats, steel toed boots, shin guards, ear protection, respiratory protection, fall harnesses, cut protection and safety glasses or shields. OSHA provides specific guidelines for use of this equipment and the penalty for not complying with those guidelines can be steep.
Beyond regulated use of PPE, there are many other opportunities where PPE is a smart call. For example, wearing gloves when operating machinery or ear protection when operating mowers and trimmers. Using common sense protection in these ways can and does reduce workplace injuries, large and small, and that can help keep your workers' compensation insurance rated in check.
Safety Tips and Resources:
OSHA Personal Protective Equipment
OSHA Eye and Face
