7 Types of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

When it comes to workplace safety, one of the most powerful lines of defense is something simple yet essential: PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Whether you’re on a construction site, in a manufacturing plant, or overseeing safety in a global enterprise, understanding the types of PPE and other workplace safety gear can be the difference between a safe workday and a life-changing injury.

Every day, workers around the world face risks, from falling objects to chemical splashes, loud machinery, or airborne contaminants. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), over 2.3 million workers die annually from work-related accidents or diseases, while OSHA data shows PPE can reduce injury rates by over 50% when used correctly. These numbers are a stark reminder: the right PPE saves lives.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the 7 types of PPE, global safety standards, how to select the right gear for your workforce, and best practices to ensure your equipment offers the protection it promises.

If you’re looking to build a safer workplace, explore our related services:

• PPE Training Programs 
• Workplace Safety Audits
• Hazard Reporting Systems

Let’s start building a safety-first culture, one piece of PPE at a time.

What is PPE?

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) refers to any specialised clothing, gear, or equipment designed to protect workers from physical, chemical, biological, electrical, and mechanical hazards in their workplace. It acts as a physical barrier between the worker and the potential source of harm.

In the Hierarchy of Controls, PPE is considered the last line of defence, used when hazards cannot be eliminated, substituted, or controlled through engineering or administrative measures. While it does not remove the hazard, it significantly reduces the risk of injury or illness.

Globally, the use and quality of PPE are regulated by leading safety bodies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), ILO (International Labour Organization), BIS/IS (Bureau of Indian Standards / Indian Standards), EN (European Norms), and ANSI (American National Standards Institute). Compliance with these standards ensures PPE compliance across the organization, helping prevent penalties and improving worker protection.

Emerging PPE Trends in 2024

As workplace hazards evolve, so does the technology behind Personal Protective Equipment. Staying ahead of these trends ensures your organisation stays compliant, competitive, and protected:

• Smart PPE Integration: Increasing adoption of PPE with built-in IoT sensors, RFID tags, and real-time hazard monitoring, especially in construction, mining, and chemical plants.
  
  
• Eco-Friendly PPE Materials: Growing use of biodegradable, recyclable, and low-carbon PPE to align with global ESG and sustainability goals.
  
  
• Tighter PPE Compliance Audits: Regulators are conducting more surprise audits and imposing heavier penalties for non-compliance, especially in high-risk industries.
  
  
• Ergonomic & Comfort-Focused Designs: Manufacturers are prioritizing lightweight, breathable PPE to improve worker comfort and boost compliance rates.
  
  
• Market Growth Outlook: The global PPE market is projected to grow at a 6.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2030, driven by stricter safety regulations and increased industrialisation.

Hazards vs PPE Types vs Standards

To help you quickly match the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to common workplace hazards, here’s a PPE selection matrix you can follow. It aligns each hazard type with the appropriate PPE category and globally recognised safety standards.

This PPE hazard chart serves as a practical starting point, but always conduct a site-specific risk assessment before selecting equipment to ensure compliance with PPE standards and maximize worker safety.

7 Types of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Below are the seven main PPE categories as per global safety standards. Each category plays a vital role in protecting workers from specific hazards, and choosing the correct gear can dramatically reduce injury risk. Understanding their standards, use cases, and care requirements will help you build a comprehensive and compliant PPE strategy for your workplace.

1. Head Protection 

Head protection PPE serves as a critical safeguard against injuries caused by falling objects, accidental head bumps, or electrical hazards. These helmets and hard hats are often mandated on construction sites, industrial zones, and in maintenance areas where there is a high risk of overhead hazards such as suspended loads, scaffolding tools, or exposed wiring. They not only protect the skull from direct impact but also help prevent secondary injuries like concussions and electric shocks when equipped with insulating properties.

• Types: Helmets, Hard Hats
• Standards: IS 2925 (India), EN 397 (Europe), ANSI Z89.1 (USA)
• Classes & Types: Type I (top impact) / Type II (lateral impact); Class G (general), Class E (electrical), Class C (conductive)
• Use Cases: Construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, mining, warehousing
• Inspection Tips: Check for cracks, dents, faded shell, damaged straps; replace every 3–5 years or immediately after any impact
• Extra Tip: Train workers on proper fit and chin strap usage to prevent helmets from falling off

2. Eye & Face Protection

Eye and face protection PPE provides a crucial shield against hazards such as flying debris, chemical splashes, molten metal sparks, and intense light or radiation. It is indispensable in high-speed machining, welding, grinding, and chemical handling tasks where even a small particle or droplet can cause permanent eye damage or facial injuries. This protective gear not only helps prevent immediate trauma like cuts, burns, and corneal abrasions but also reduces the risk of long-term vision problems from repeated exposure to bright flashes or chemical vapors.

• Standards: EN 166, ANSI Z87.1
• Types: Safety goggles, face shields, welding visors, chemical splash goggles
• Maintenance: Clean lenses with anti-fog solution, store in protective cases, replace scratched or loose-fitting gear
• Extra Tip: Choose wraparound styles for better side protection in dusty environments

3. Hearing Protection

Hearing protection PPE acts as a vital safeguard against harmful noise levels in industrial and construction environments. It reduces noise exposure and helps prevent occupational hearing loss, which is often gradual, permanent, and irreversible if not addressed early. Prolonged exposure to high decibel levels can damage the delicate inner ear structures, leading to conditions like tinnitus, partial deafness, and reduced concentration or alertness at work.

• Types: Earplugs (disposable or reusable) and earmuffs
• Ratings: SNR (Single Number Rating) in Europe, NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) in the USA
• Risks: Prolonged noise >85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage
• Extra Tip: Conduct regular noise level surveys and provide dual protection (earplugs + earmuffs) for extreme noise areas

4. Respiratory Protection (RPE)

Respiratory PPE serves as a critical barrier between workers and hazardous airborne contaminants. It protects against dust, toxic fumes, harmful gases, vapors, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres that can cause serious respiratory illnesses or even fatalities. This category of PPE is especially crucial during confined space work, painting, welding, chemical handling, or cleanup operations where ventilation is limited and the risk of inhaling dangerous particles is high. Properly selected and fitted respiratory equipment not only prevents immediate health effects like dizziness, irritation, or suffocation but also reduces the risk of long-term conditions such as asthma, lung damage, or occupational lung diseases.

• Types: APR (Air-Purifying Respirators), supplied-air respirators, SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)
• Fit Testing: Perform qualitative and quantitative fit tests regularly
• Limitations: Cartridge life is finite; follow change-out schedules; comply with OSHA 1910 Subpart I
• Extra Tip: Maintain a documented respiratory protection program and train workers on seal checks before each use

5. Hand Protection

Hand protection PPE plays a vital role in safeguarding workers from a wide range of hazards including sharp edges, extreme heat, electrical currents, toxic chemicals, and abrasive materials. Hands are the most frequently injured body part in workplaces because they are directly involved in almost every task, from lifting and assembling to operating machinery and handling hazardous substances. Without the right gloves, workers risk severe injuries like deep cuts, thermal burns, chemical burns, electrical shocks, puncture wounds, or skin infections that can result in long-term disabilities or lost productivity.

• Types: Cut-resistant, heat-resistant, chemical-resistant, electrical-insulated gloves
• Tips: Choose gloves by hazard, check breakthrough times, discard torn or worn gloves
• Standards: EN 388 (mechanical risks), EN 407 (thermal risks), ANSI 105
• Extra Tip: Provide glove liners for comfort and encourage workers to inspect gloves before each use

6. Foot & Leg Protection

Foot and leg PPE is essential for protecting workers from crush injuries, punctures, slips, trips, falls, and electric shocks that often occur in busy industrial environments. These protective shoes and boots provide structural support to withstand heavy falling objects or rolling equipment, while their slip-resistant soles help maintain stability on oily or wet floors. Properly designed safety footwear can also enhance posture, reduce fatigue from prolonged standing, and prevent musculoskeletal disorders over time, making them a critical part of long-term workplace health and safety.

• Standards: IS 15298 (India), EN ISO 20345 (Europe)
• Types: Safety shoes/boots with toe caps, puncture-resistant midsoles, slip-resistant outsoles (SB, S1, S2, S3)
• Care: Inspect tread wear, replace every 12–18 months or after heavy impact
• Extra Tip: Choose anti-static or electrical-resistant footwear depending on the work environment

7. Body Protection

Body protection PPE acts as a comprehensive barrier, shielding workers from intense heat, flying sparks, hazardous chemicals, molten metal, and low visibility hazards in high-risk environments. It is vital in industries like foundries, chemical processing, firefighting, and construction, where the body is exposed to multiple simultaneous dangers. This gear ensures complete coverage when engineering controls and administrative measures are not enough, helping prevent severe burns, chemical absorption, or high-visibility related accidents such as vehicle strikes.

• Types: Coveralls, chemical-resistant suits, FR (flame-resistant) clothing, arc-rated suits, high-visibility vests
• Care: Follow wash instructions, inspect for tears, ensure proper fit for full coverage
• Limitations: May restrict mobility; must match hazard level
• Extra Tip: Layer PPE appropriately in multi-hazard environments (e.g., FR + high-vis)

How to Select the Right PPE

Choosing the correct PPE requires more than just buying protective gear; it involves a systematic process to ensure that each item is suitable for the specific hazards workers face. Follow this 5-step method:

1. Hazard Assessment: Identify all possible hazards in each work area, including physical, chemical, biological, electrical, and ergonomic risks.
2. Risk Rating: Evaluate the severity and likelihood of each hazard to prioritize which risks need immediate mitigation using PPE.
3. Standards Compliance: Select PPE that meets relevant IS, EN, ANSI, or OSHA standards for performance and durability.
4. Fit and Comfort: Provide multiple sizes, conduct fit testing (especially for respirators), and involve workers in trials to ensure comfort and acceptance.
5. Training and Monitoring: Train workers on the correct usage, care, and limitations of PPE, and monitor compliance during operations.

Fit Testing, Maintenance & Replacement

Ensuring PPE stays effective requires regular fit testing, proper maintenance, and timely replacement:

• Fit Testing: Conduct initial and annual fit tests for respirators, ensuring a proper seal. Helmets and hearing protection should also be checked for correct sizing and secure fit.
• Maintenance: Clean PPE after every use with approved disinfectants or mild detergents, dry completely, and store in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight and chemicals.
• Inspection: Perform pre-use inspections for cracks, wear, fraying straps, or degraded materials.
• Replacement: Replace PPE immediately after any impact or damage or when it reaches its recommended service life (usually 3–5 years for helmets, 12–18 months for footwear, as per manufacturer guidelines).

Common Mistakes in PPE Usage

Even the best PPE fails if used incorrectly. Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Incorrect Sizing: Wearing PPE that is too loose or too tight reduces its effectiveness.
• Bypassing PPE Due to Discomfort: Workers often remove gear that feels heavy or restrictive, leaving them exposed.
• Using Worn-out or Expired PPE: Old or damaged PPE may look intact but may have lost its protective properties.
• Improper Storage: Leaving PPE in damp, hot, or contaminated areas can degrade its material and shorten its lifespan.

Conclusion

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a crucial role in safeguarding workers from a wide spectrum of workplace hazards. However, PPE is only effective when chosen correctly, maintained regularly, and worn consistently. By understanding the different types of PPE, their global standards, and how to select and retain them, organizations can significantly reduce workplace injuries and fatalities.

At CORE EHS, we go beyond compliance by helping organizations build a strong safety culture. Our expertise spans PPE training programs, safety audits, hazard reporting systems, and digital safety management tools that empower businesses to create safer, more resilient workplaces.