Which of the following must be considered in PPE selection?

When selecting personal protective equipment (PPE), it is crucial to consider several factors to ensure that the chosen equipment provides adequate protection against workplace hazards.

Identifying hazards is fundamental as it allows workers to understand what types of PPE are necessary. Different hazards, such as chemical exposure, biological agents, or physical hazards, demand different types of protective gear. For instance, if a task involves handling hazardous chemicals, appropriate gloves, goggles, and clothing designed to protect against chemical splashes or vapors must be selected.

Considering the routes of entry for hazards is equally important. Hazards can enter the body through various pathways, including inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion. Understanding how a particular hazard poses a risk helps in choosing PPE that effectively blocks or reduces exposure through these routes. For example, respiratory protection may be needed for airborne contaminants, while gloves and protective clothing may be necessary for dermal exposure.

The performance of the PPE itself is also a critical factor. This entails evaluating how well the equipment functions in protecting against identified hazards. PPE must meet certain performance standards and be appropriate for the specific tasks and potential exposures encountered in the workplace. For example, if the materials or design of the PPE do not provide adequate protection during the activity, then it may not