Personal Protective Equipment
The employer's obligations
PPE is the last line of defense in the hierarchy of controls, used when elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls cannot fully remove the hazard. Employers must assess workplace hazards, select PPE that fits each affected employee, train on when it is necessary, what its limitations are, and how to don, doff, adjust, and care for it, and must replace defective equipment. Under 1926.95 employers pay for required PPE. The narrow exceptions are non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear, which employees may wear off the job.
Type-specific points
Head protection: Class G (formerly A) is tested to 2,200 volts, Class E (formerly B) to 20,000 volts, and Class C is conductive with no electrical protection. Eye and face protection must meet ANSI Z87.1 and carry the marking. Hearing protectors are rated by NRR; use double protection when exposure demands it. Foot protection must match the hazard - puncture-resistant soles for nails, metatarsal guards, electrical hazard rating. Respiratory protection requires a written program, medical clearance, and fit testing.
Traps
"PPE eliminates the hazard" is false. "Employees may be required to buy their own safety glasses" is false. Hard hats have a service life and must be replaced after a significant impact. High-visibility apparel class must match road speed and task.
Rule of thumb: when a question offers an engineering control and a PPE control, the engineering control is the better answer.