What does Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) include?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is designed to protect the user from health or safety risks during the course of their work. This includes items that serve as barriers between the caregiver and the victim, such as gloves, masks, goggles, and gowns. The primary function of PPE is to minimize exposure to various hazards and pathogens, which is especially vital in medical settings or during emergency care situations.

While performance training equipment, surgical tools, and first-aid supplies are important in their own right, they do not fit the specific definition of PPE. Equipment for performance training is focused on enhancing athletic ability, surgical tools are meant for conducting operations safely and effectively, and first-aid supplies are used to treat injuries that have already occurred. None of these categories emphasize protective barriers that directly shield the caregiver from potential harm, which is the essential function of PPE. Therefore, the inclusion of items that create a protective barrier between the caregiver and the victim is what definitively characterizes PPE.