Personal Protective Equipment and Worker Safety
PPE questions test whether you can select, wear, maintain, and remove protective equipment correctly, and whether you understand the worker protection framework. The label's PPE section is the minimum requirement; you may use more protection but not less. Typical categories: chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls, chemical-resistant footwear and aprons, eye protection (goggles or face shield), and respirators. Chemical-resistant materials vary - nitrile and butyl perform differently against different solvents; latex gloves are generally not acceptable for pesticide handling.
Know the respirator basics: fit testing, medical evaluation, cartridge selection, and change schedules. A dust/mist filtering facepiece is not the same as a vapor-removing cartridge. Know that REIs restrict worker entry and that early-entry workers have specific PPE requirements. Understand decontamination: remove PPE before entering clean areas, wash hands, and change clothing if contaminated.
Traps: Assuming "chemical-resistant" means the same for all products; wearing contaminated gloves to handle clean items; assuming a respirator alone substitutes for other PPE; failing to recognize that label PPE is a minimum. Also watch for questions about heat stress in Alaska's summer fieldwork, which can be a real hazard when PPE limits cooling.
Rule of thumb: Gloves come off last and go on first - but never touch your face or clean objects with contaminated gloves. If the label lists PPE, treat every item as mandatory unless the label explicitly allows an alternative.
Worked example: A label requires chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls, and goggles. A worker wants to substitute a dust mask for goggles because of fogging. That is not allowed: goggles are required, and a dust mask does not substitute for eye protection.