Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is gear worn to protect a worker from injury or illness caused by workplace hazards. It includes items like hard hats, safety glasses, work gloves, high-visibility vests, hearing protection, and respiratory protection. PPE works by placing a barrier between the worker and a hazard such as impact, cutting, flying debris, noise, chemicals, or low visibility.
Under OSHA’s hierarchy of controls, PPE is considered the last line of defense, used after hazards have been reduced as much as possible through elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls. PPE does not remove the hazard. It reduces the chance that the hazard reaches the worker, which is why correct selection, fit, and use all matter.
OSHA’s general PPE requirements (29 CFR 1910.132) direct employers to assess workplace hazards and provide appropriate PPE. Specific equipment is then governed by its own OSHA rule and consensus standard, such as 29 CFR 1910.135 for head protection, which requires hard hats that meet the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 standard.
Most workplace PPE falls into a handful of categories defined by the body part it protects or the hazard it protects against. Below are the core types, the standard that governs each, and their placement. You can browse all of these on the personal protective equipment hub.
Hard hats protect against falling objects and head impact. The governing standard is ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, which classifies hard hats by impact type and electrical class. Type I protects against blows to the top of the head, and Type II adds protection against lateral (side) impacts. Electrical classes are Class G (General, tested up to 2,200 volts), Class E (Electrical, tested up to 20,000 volts), and Class C (Conductive, which offers no electrical protection).
Suspension systems are commonly described by the number of contact points, such as 4-point or 6-point, with more points generally distributing impact force more evenly. Browse the full range on the hard hats collection, including the 4 Point Ratchet Hard Hat and the Full Brimmed 6 Point Ratchet Hard Hat, where the full brim adds shade and rain protection around the entire head.
Safety glasses guard against flying particles, dust, and debris. The relevant standard is ANSI Z87.1, and compliant eyewear is marked accordingly. Lens tint and frame style are selected for the task and environment, with clear lenses for general indoor work and tinted or specialized lenses for glare or specific hazards. See the safety glasses collection, including the Semi-Frame Safety Glasses.
Work gloves protect against cuts, abrasions, impact, and contact with substances. For cut resistance, the standard is ANSI/ISEA 105, which rates gloves on a scale from A1 (lowest cut resistance) to A9 (highest), based on the force needed to cut through the material. Different glove types address different hazards: cut-resistant gloves for sharp materials, impact-resistant gloves for tasks with pinch and crush risk, and disposable nitrile gloves for general handling and light chemical contact.
Browse the work gloves collection, which includes the Striker Impact Resistant Gloves at A2 cut level, the A2 Cut Level Polyurethane Coated Gloves, and the 4 Mil Blue Nitrile Gloves, where "mil" refers to glove thickness in thousandths of an inch.
High-visibility vests make workers more visible near traffic and moving equipment. The standard is ANSI/ISEA 107, which defines performance classes based on the amount of fluorescent background and retroreflective material a garment carries. Class 1 is for low-risk, off-road settings, Class 2 for moderate-risk roadway and work-zone environments, and Class 3 for high-risk settings such as flaggers and work near high-speed traffic. Garment Type R is intended for roadway use.
See the safety vests collection, including the ANSI Class 2 Standard Zipper Hi-Vis Safety Vest and the ANSI Class 2 Mesh Hi-Vis Safety Vest. Vests can also be branded through custom safety vests.
Hearing protection reduces exposure to harmful noise. Devices are rated by their Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), expressed in decibels, with a higher NRR indicating greater noise reduction. Foam earplugs and earmuffs are the two common formats, chosen based on noise level, comfort, and how often they are taken on and off. See the hearing protection collection, including Corded Foam Ear Plugs, where the cord helps keep plugs together and reduces loss.
Face masks and respirators protect against dust, particulates, and airborne contaminants. The right choice depends on the contaminant and its concentration, and some forms of respiratory protection require fit testing and a formal respiratory protection program. Browse the face masks collection, and confirm the specific protection level needed for your application.
Safety rainwear keeps workers dry while maintaining visibility in wet conditions. High-visibility rainwear carries the same ANSI/ISEA 107 classes as vests. See the safety rainwear collection, including the ANSI Class 3 Premium Two-Tone Hooded Rain Coat.
|
PPE type |
Protects against |
Governing standard |
Example |
|
Hard hats |
Falling objects, head impact |
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 |
4-point and 6-point ratchet hard hats |
|
Safety glasses |
Flying particles, dust, debris |
ANSI Z87.1 |
Semi-frame safety glasses |
|
Work gloves |
Cuts, abrasion, impact, contact |
ANSI/ISEA 105 (cut) |
A2 cut gloves, nitrile gloves |
|
Safety vests |
Low visibility near traffic |
ANSI/ISEA 107 |
ANSI Class 2 vests |
|
Hearing protection |
Harmful noise |
Rated by NRR (decibels) |
Corded foam ear plugs |
|
Face masks |
Dust, particulates, airborne contaminants |
Varies by respirator type |
Disposable face masks |
|
Safety rainwear |
Wet conditions, low visibility |
ANSI/ISEA 107 (hi-vis) |
ANSI Class 3 rain coat |
Note: standards and ratings have specific testing criteria and editions that are updated over time. Confirm the exact rating and compliance marking on each product and verify requirements against the current OSHA and ANSI standards for your application.
Start with a hazard assessment. OSHA expects employers to evaluate the workplace and identify hazards before selecting PPE. The hazards present, such as impact, cutting, noise, or low visibility, determine which categories of PPE are required.
Match the rating to the hazard. Within each category, the rating should fit the risk. A higher cut level (for example, A4 or above) suits sharper materials, a Class 3 vest suits high-speed traffic environments, and a Class E hard hat is needed where electrical hazards are present. Choosing a higher rating than necessary adds cost and can reduce comfort, while choosing a lower rating leaves workers under protected.
Prioritize fit and comfort. PPE only works when it is worn correctly and consistently. Equipment that fits poorly or is uncomfortable is more likely to be removed or worn improperly, which defeats its purpose.
Pair PPE with the required signage. OSHA requires that PPE requirements be communicated, and signage is how workers know what to wear in each area. This is where equipment and communication come together, which the next section covers.
PPE is only effective when workers know it is required and wear it in the right areas. That is the role of PPE signage and labels, which communicate mandatory protection at entrances, work zones, and points of use. Pairing the gear with clear signage supports compliance and reinforces a safety culture.
Alongside the equipment above, you can outfit a facility with personal protection signs that state PPE requirements by area and personal protection labels for equipment and point-of-use reminders. Sourcing both the PPE and the signage together keeps requirements consistent across a site.
What are the main types of PPE?
The core categories are head protection (hard hats), eye and face protection (safety glasses), hand protection (work gloves), high-visibility clothing (safety vests), hearing protection, respiratory protection (face masks), and weather protection (safety rainwear). Each guards against a specific class of hazard.
Is PPE the first or last line of defense?
PPE is the last line of defense in OSHA’s hierarchy of controls. Employers are expected to reduce hazards first through elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls, and then use PPE for the remaining risk.
What is the difference between a Type I and Type II hard hat?
Type I hard hats protect against impact to the top of the head, while Type II hard hats add protection against lateral, or side, impacts. Both are defined under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, and the right choice depends on the impact hazards identified in your assessment.
What do ANSI cut levels mean for gloves?
ANSI/ISEA 105 rates cut resistance from A1 (lowest) to A9 (highest), based on the force required to cut through the glove material. A higher level indicates greater cut resistance, so you match the level to how sharp the materials being handled are.
What is the difference between a Class 2 and Class 3 safety vest?
Both are defined under ANSI/ISEA 107. Class 2 vests are intended for moderate-risk roadway and work-zone environments, and Class 3 vests carry more high-visibility material for high-risk settings such as flaggers and work near high-speed traffic.
Does OSHA require employers to provide PPE?
OSHA’s general PPE standard directs employers to assess hazards and provide appropriate PPE. The specific requirements depend on the hazards present and the relevant OSHA and ANSI standards, so confirm what applies to your workplace.
Choosing PPE starts with the hazard, then matches the right category and rating to it. Browse the full personal protective equipment selection, from hard hats and safety glasses to work gloves, safety vests, hearing protection, and safety rainwear, and pair it with personal protection signs to communicate requirements across your site.
Questions about what your workplace needs? Call the SafetySign.com team at 800-274-5271.