PPE Guide
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the bare minimum to keep you safe from hazards. Always inspect PPE before use and ensure it is cleaned and stored appropriately. Replace PPE as needed. Most PPE can be found in Stores at 45 N. Charter St., but specialty PPE can be ordered with approval from your supervisor. Remember to obey PPE requirements if guidance is posted (e.g., labs, shop areas, etc.).
PPE Assessments: Complete assessments using the PPE Assessment Form. Instructions: The employee and supervisor will review potential hazards together and select required PPE. Copies of the assessment must be sent to HR, the Employee, and the Supervisor.
Head Protection
Types of Equipment:
- Hard Hat
- Bump Cap
Hazards: Includes struck-by risks (bumping the head into objects), gravitational hazards (objects falling from above), or contact with exposed electrical components.
Risks: Concussions, cuts, bruises, and severe scalp injuries.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St.
Eye Protection
*All eye wear must meet ANSI Z87.1 specifications.
Types of Equipment:
- Safety Glasses
- Prescription Safety Glasses
- Order via the Prescription Safety Eyewear Application.
- Must include wrap-around lenses or side shields (removable side shields are not recommended).
- Readers
- Goggles
Hazards: Struck-by risks, exposure to airborne material/debris, chemical or biological hazards, or foreign objects. View the Eye Protection Selection Guide for details.
Risks: Eye scratches, vision impairment, and permanent vision loss.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St. More details available on the UW EHS Eye Protection Page.
Ear Protection
Types of Equipment:
- Foam Inserts (Earplugs)
- Over-the-Ear Muffs
Hazards: Loud noise at or above 85 dB over an 8-hour time-weighted average. (For reference, a police siren is around 80 dB—if work noise sounds louder than that during a shift, wear hearing protection).
Risks: Tinnitus, hearing loss, and permanent hearing impairment.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St. More details available on the UW EHS Hearing Protection Page.
Face Protection
Types of Equipment:
- Face Shield
Hazards: Struck-by risks, airborne debris, high-velocity chemical splashes, or biological hazards.
Risks: Facial lacerations, chemical burns, and severe scarring.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St. More details available on the UW EHS Page.
Respiratory Protection
Types of Equipment:
- PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator)
- N95 Filtering Facepiece
- Full/Half Face Respirator
- SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)
Hazards: Exposure to airborne materials/debris (asbestos, lead, mold, crystalline silica, harmful dusts), chemical vapors, or biological hazards.
Risks: Chronic respiratory illnesses including occupational asthma, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and silicosis.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St. More details available on the UW EHS Page.
Body Protection
Types of Equipment:
- High-Visibility Apparel
- Electrical Arc Flash Suit
- Flame-Resistant (FR) Clothing
Hazards: Struck-by traffic/equipment hazards, flash fire hazards, or arc flash/electrical hazards when working on high-voltage panels.
Risks: Fractures, severe lacerations, contusions, arc flash burns, and thermal burns.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St. More details available on the UW EHS Page.
Hand Protection
Types of Equipment:
- Cut-Resistant Gloves
- Thermal Gloves
- Chemical-Resistant Gloves
- Latex / Nitrile Gloves
- Electrical Insulating Gloves
Hazards: Handling sharp materials/blades (cut-resistant), working near hot equipment/surfaces (thermal), handling chemicals or biohazards (chemical-resistant/latex), and working on energized electrical systems (electrical).
Safety Warning: Do NOT wear gloves when operating rotary machinery or equipment in shop areas. Gloves present a serious "draw-in" hazard where moving parts can catch the glove material and pull your hand directly into the machine.
Risks: Severe lacerations, thermal/chemical/electrical burns, bloodborne pathogen exposure, and electrical shock.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St. More details available on the UW EHS Page.
Foot Protection
Types of Equipment:
- Safety-Toe Shoes / Boots (Steel or Composite)
- Chemical-Resistant Boots
Hazards: Heavy falling objects, rolling hazards, sharp piercing objects, or chemical splash risks to the feet.
Risks: Bone fractures, severe contusions, puncture wounds, and chemical burns.
Where to Find: Stores at 45 N. Charter St. More details available on the UW EHS Page.
