![\"image](\"https:\/\/in.ewu.edu\/ehs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/116\/2017\/02\/PPE-collection-crop.png\" "\\"PPE")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPersonal protective equipment (PPE)<\/strong> is the last line of defense between you and the hazards present in your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PPE is all clothing and equipment designed to keep hazards that can’t be eliminated from coming into contact with you or to minimize the impact when the hazard is encountered. All PPE necessary for your job will be provided to you at no cost. It is your responsibility to wear your PPE when it is needed.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n Arc Flash PPE is discussed on the Electrical Safety<\/a> page and is not covered in this section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hard hats<\/strong> must be worn when there is a potential for head injury from impacts, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three classes of hard hat, based on the level of protection they provide from electrical hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All hard hats used should be labeled as conforming to an ANSI standard.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Cold weather can cause hypothermia and frost bite. Much of the heat lost from our body comes out of our head. If you need to work outside in cold weather, make sure you wear a hat.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n In hot weather both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are possibilities. Hats with protection for the back of your neck are always good. The yellow bandanna is made with a product that can be soaked in water and provides cooling for several hours. The blue tie hat is made of a material that helps to keep people cool and is also fire resistant.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n Long hair should be tied back when working with flames or with any equipment that could catch hair in a moving part.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Hearing protection<\/strong> is required for employees who work in areas where where the noise level, averaged over 8 hours, is at or above 85 decibels. Anyone working in high noise areas will be provided with hearing protection to be worn during their job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employees working in high noise conditions are required to participate in the Hearing Loss Prevention Program (add link when up), which includes annual audiometric (hearing) exams<\/a>, and annual training<\/a> in accordance with WAC 296-817.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many different styles of hearing protection and there are a variety of levels of noise reduction or attenuation for each style. Refer to the Noise Exposure & Hearing Protection<\/a> page for more information on this topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHead Protection<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"image](\"https:\/\/in.ewu.edu\/ehs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/116\/2017\/03\/Hard-hat.jpg\" "\\"Hard")
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Don’t forget the weather!<\/h4>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/in.ewu.edu\/ehs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/116\/2017\/03\/cold-weather-264x300.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/in.ewu.edu\/ehs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/116\/2017\/03\/hot-weather-300x241.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"image](\"https:\/\/in.ewu.edu\/ehs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/116\/2017\/03\/hair-caught-in-machinery.jpg\" "\\"hair")
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\n\n\n\nHearing Protection<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"example](\"https:\/\/in.ewu.edu\/ehs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/116\/2017\/03\/smaller-hearing-protection-options.png\" "\\"smaller")
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