Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to any gear or clothing worn by a worker to minimize their exposure to workplace hazards. This can include items like hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and respirators.

It's a crucial component of a company’s broader safety strategy, but it is considered the last resort in the "Hierarchy of Controls" for mitigating risks. While PPE is essential for protecting against unavoidable dangers, a strong safety culture prioritizes eliminating hazards at their source before ever needing to rely on a physical barrier.