Understanding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Categories & Types

Personal protective equipment (PPE) falls under two categories:

1. Body protection: Includes protective clothing such as coveralls, gloves, footwear, head protection, and high-visibility clothing.

2. Respiratory protection: Encompasses devices that safeguard the wearer from inhaling hazardous dusts, fibers, and vapors. Examples include air-purifying respirators (e.g., N95 masks), supplied-air respirators, and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs).