Personal Protective Equipment
Eye and face protection, gloves, respirators and filters, footwear and clothing: how to choose, fit and maintain each item.
The role of PPE
Personal protective equipment is the last line of defense (see Risk Assessment and Hazard Control). It does not remove the hazard: it only stands between the hazard and you, and only if you wear it, if it is the right type, and if it fits. Choose equipment that is rated for the hazard (look for the standard marking), is comfortable enough to be worn for the whole task, and does not itself create a hazard (gloves caught in a drill, goggles that fog).
- Eyes: flying chips, dust, splashes, light, laser beams.
- Ears: noise (see Noise and Hearing Protection).
- Lungs: dust, fumes, vapors (see Dust, Fumes and Ventilation).
- Hands: cuts, burns, chemicals, vibration.
- Feet, head and body: falling objects, sparks, heat, splash.
Eye and face protection
Eyes are small, exposed and impossible to replace. Safety eyewear is tested to a standard (ANSI Z87.1 in the US, EN 166 in Europe) and marked on the frame: Z87 for basic impact, Z87+ for high impact, with extra letters for splash (D3), dust (D4 or D5) and ultraviolet or laser light.
| Type | Protects against | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safety glasses with side shields | Flying particles from the front and side | Minimum for any cutting, drilling, hammering or grinding |
| Goggles (sealed) | Dust, splash, flying debris from all directions | Vented goggles for dust; indirect-vent for chemical splash; anti-fog coating |
| Face shield (over glasses) | Impact and splash to the whole face | Never the only protection: wear glasses under it; for grinding and turning |
| Welding helmet / shade lens | Arc light (ultraviolet and infrared), sparks | Shade 10 to 13 for arc welding; the filter must be correct (see Chemicals, Gases and Welding) |
| Laser goggles | One specific wavelength | Rated by wavelength and optical density (see Laser Safety) |
Worked example: what “high impact” means
- The Z87+ test fires a 6.35 mm steel ball (mass 1.05 g) at 45.7 m/s (150 ft/s) at the lens. Its energy is ½ × 0.00105 kg × 45.7² = 1.10 J.
- A 1 g chip thrown from a grinding wheel at 60 m/s carries ½ × 0.001 × 60² = 1.8 J, in the same range: a chip like that into an unprotected eye does serious damage, and the eye is only about 2 cm² of target.
- A lens that passes the test stops it; ordinary prescription glasses or sunglasses do not. Prescription glasses are not safety glasses unless marked: wear over-glasses or prescription safety glasses.
- Check the markings, and replace lenses that are scratched or pitted, which weaken them and scatter light.
Respirators and dust masks
A respirator makes the air you breathe cleaner by filtering it (or supplying clean air). Choose by what is in the air and how much. The key numbers are the filter efficiency (N95 removes at least 95 % of the test particles, P100 at least 99.97 %) and the assigned protection factor (APF): the number by which the respirator is expected to cut the concentration when properly fitted and used.
| Respirator | APF (typical) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Disposable (N95, FFP2) | 10 (OSHA) in a fit-tested program | Dust and some mists; no vapors |
| Half-mask with filters | 10 | Dust (P100), organic vapor cartridges, combined |
| Full-face with filters | 50 | Higher concentrations; also protects the eyes |
| Powered air-purifying (PAPR) | 25 to 1 000 | Long jobs; beards and loose hoods; comfort |
| Supplied air | 1 000 and more | Spray painting in confined spaces; oxygen-deficient air |
Worked example: do I need a half-mask?
- Sanding makes 20 mg/m³ of hardwood dust near the face; a typical exposure limit is 1 mg/m³ (check yours). The required protection factor is 20 ÷ 1 = 20.
- A half-mask has an APF of 10: not enough. A full-face mask (50) or a PAPR is, or better still extraction at the tool to cut the 20 mg/m³ (see Dust, Fumes and Ventilation).
- The seal matters more than the filter. Penetration is the leak around the seal plus what passes through the filter: 0.05 + 0.95 × 0.05 = 0.098, so an N95 with a 5 % leak gives a protection factor of only 10, and a P100 filter with the same leak 20. With a perfect seal the N95 would give 20; with a 1 % leak 17.
- The wearer in the 20 mg/m³ cloud with a 5 % leak breathes 2.0 mg/m³: still above the 1 mg/m³ limit.
- Beards and stubble break the seal. Do a seal check every time (cover the filter and inhale: the mask should pull in) and a fit test in a workplace program.
- Dust masks do not stop vapors or gases; use organic-vapor cartridges and replace them on a schedule (they saturate; the smell or taste of the vapor means they are spent).
- Know the hazard. A respirator for the wrong substance is no protection, and some (lead, silica, asbestos, isocyanates) need special equipment and rules.
- Store filters sealed, away from dust and moisture; replace when breathing gets harder.
Hand protection
| Glove | Good for | Not for |
|---|---|---|
| Leather | Handling rough stock, welding (heavy), general work | Rotating machinery; chemicals |
| Cut-resistant (ANSI A1 to A9) | Handling sheet metal, glass, blades | Near moving parts; heat |
| Nitrile / chemical | Solvents, oils, adhesives, resin | Thermal protection; check the chemical resistance chart |
| Heat resistant | Hot parts, soldering, forge | Cuts |
| Anti-vibration | Long use of impact tools | Fine work |
| Disposable (latex, nitrile) | Contact with dirt and light chemicals | Cuts, solvents (some pass through) |
Worked example: why no gloves at a drill
- A 12 mm chuck at 1 000 rpm has a surface speed of π × 0.012 × 1 000 ÷ 60 = 0.63 m/s. A glove loose at the cuff snags, and the hand is pulled in at that speed.
- Within a 0.2 s reaction time the hand has been drawn 126 mm toward the chuck: too late to let go. A grinder wheel rim at 80 m/s covers 16 m in the same time.
- Do not wear gloves, rings, watches or bracelets near rotating tools (drills, lathes, mills, grinders, bandsaws). Use gloves where the hazard is a cut or burn on a static job, and take them off when a machine starts.
Feet, body and head
Worked example: do I need safety boots?
- A 5 kg part dropped from 1 m carries 5 × 9.81 × 1 = 49 J.
- Boots with toe caps rated for 200 J (EN ISO 20345) or about 102 J (ASTM F2413 class 75) protect against it: at 200 J a 5 kg part could fall 4.1 m before the toe cap is overloaded. Ordinary sneakers and sandals do not.
- Choose boots with an oil- and slip-resistant sole and, if you work with hot metal, with no turn-ups to catch sparks.
- Head: a hard hat for overhead work and low ceilings; a bump cap for low beams.
- Body: an apron (leather for welding and grinding, cotton for general work) and long sleeves; flame-resistant clothing for welding and hot work.
- Knee pads and a back support for floor work and lifting (see Machine and Hand Tool Safety).
- Synthetic fabrics melt onto skin in a fire or spark shower: wear cotton, wool or flame-retardant fabric for hot work.
Clothing, hair and jewelry
Worked example: long hair and a spindle
A 150 mm lock of hair that touches a 12 mm drill is wound in at about 4.0 turns of the spindle: the drill at 1 000 rpm turns 17 times a second, so the hair is wrapped in well under a second. Tie it up, tuck it into a cap, and keep ties, scarves and hoods off rotating tools. The same goes for loose sleeves, which should be fitted or rolled tight, and for neckties and lanyards.
- Rings, watches and bracelets can catch on a machine or conduct electricity: take them off.
- Closed shoes with a firm sole, never sandals; trousers over the tops of the boots against hot swarf.
- Roll up or tie back anything that could dangle.
Choosing, fitting and caring for PPE
- Match the rating to the hazard: read the markings and the maker’s data sheet.
- Fit matters: glasses that slip, ear defenders with a poor seal, gloves too big for the hand. Try before you buy and adjust the straps.
- Make it comfortable, because uncomfortable equipment is left off.
- Inspect before each use, clean regularly, store clean and dry away from sunlight and chemicals.
- Combine carefully: glasses with ear defenders (seals break across the arms of the glasses), respirator with glasses (fog).
- Keep PPE where the task is, at the machine, so it is the easy option.
| Item | When to replace |
|---|---|
| Safety glasses | Replace when scratched, pitted or cracked; typically 1 to 2 years of heavy use |
| Face shield | Replace the visor when scratched; the headband when the elastic is stiff |
| Filter (N95, P100) | Replace when breathing gets harder, when damaged or dirty, or after a set period |
| Gloves | Replace when worn through, cut or contaminated |
PPE by task
| Task | Eyes | Ears | Lungs | Hands | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drilling, hand sawing | Glasses | If loud | Dust mask for wood or MDF | No gloves at the drill | Tie back hair |
| Sanding, planing | Glasses | Yes (planer) | Mask or respirator | Light gloves only on static work | Dust extraction |
| Angle grinder, cutting disc | Face shield over glasses | Yes | Dust mask | Leather gloves | Long sleeves, no loose clothes; sparks away from fuel |
| Table saw, router | Glasses | Yes | Dust mask | No gloves | Push stick; no loose clothing |
| Welding | Welding helmet, shade 10 to 13 | If loud | Fume extraction; respirator for galvanized or stainless | Welding gloves | FR clothing; leather apron; boots |
| Spraying and solvents | Goggles | — | Organic-vapor respirator or supplied air | Nitrile gloves | Ventilation; no ignition sources |
| Soldering | Glasses | — | Fume extractor | Heat-resistant if needed | Wash hands after (lead) |
| Laser, 3D printing | Laser goggles where the beam is open | — | Extraction; ventilation | Nitrile for resin | See Lasers, 3D Printers, CNC and Soldering |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Glasses fog up | Warm, humid air; poor ventilation | Anti-fog coating or wipes; vented goggles; ventilated respirator; take breaks |
| Safety glasses slip | Wrong size | Adjustable temples or a strap; try another model |
| Ear defenders hurt | Too tight, not suited to head | Try plugs or a different band; check the fit |
| Respirator leaks | Beard, wrong size, worn straps | Clean-shaven seal; fit test; replace straps |
| Gloves reduce dexterity | Too thick | Thinner cut-resistant glove; take them off for fine work on static jobs |
| Nobody wears the PPE | Not at hand, uncomfortable, not required | Store at the machine; improve comfort; lead by example |
Related
- Workshop Safety: the overview of this guide.
- Risk Assessment and Hazard Control: why PPE is the last control.
- Noise and Hearing Protection and Dust, Fumes and Ventilation: the hazards that hearing and breathing protection address.
- Shop Tools: where to keep PPE and what to buy first.
FAQ
Are prescription glasses enough for eye protection?
No: unless they are marked as safety glasses (Z87), they will not stop a high-speed chip. Wear safety over-glasses or prescription safety glasses.
Can I wear gloves at the drill press?
No: a glove or cuff can catch on a rotating chuck and pull the hand in faster than you can react. Take gloves off near rotating tools.
Is a dust mask enough for sanding?
For occasional light sanding an N95 well fitted can be enough; for heavy hardwood or MDF sanding use extraction and a half or full mask with P100 filters.
How do I know my respirator fits?
Do a seal check every time and a fit test in a workplace program; a beard or a loose strap defeats the seal.
References
- ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 (occupational and educational eye and face protection); EN 166 and EN 175.
- NIOSH respirator approvals (42 CFR 84); OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 (respiratory protection, assigned protection factors).
- ANSI/ISEA 105 (hand protection classification); EN 388 (gloves against mechanical risks); EN ISO 20345 and ASTM F2413 (safety footwear).
Last reviewed: October 2026. The protection factors, energies and limits are typical: use the ratings on your own equipment.