Personal Protective Equipment

Selecting Personal Protective Equipment

Important Links

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Overview

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is designed to protect us from workplace hazards that can lead to injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, physical, electrical, mechanical, radiological, or other workplace hazards. The use of PPE can include the use of, or a combination of, protective gloves, eyewear, coveralls, foot protection, head protection, as well as respiratory protection (please refer to the Respiratory Protection page for information relating to the safe use of respirators).

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Selecting Personal Protective Equipment

PPE must be selected with caution as there is no single piece of PPE that will protect you against everything. A glove used for protection against acids might not provide any protection against organic solvents, thus placing an individual at risk of exposure. Selection must be made based on the materials anticipated to be contacted and the tasks required to be conducted. A critical part of the successful use of PPE is ensuring that it is appropriately selected, provided, and properly used.

OEHS staff can assist with the assessment of hazards at UNH, the proper selection of PPE, and training on the proper use, care, and limitations of PPE.

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