When are Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) typically used?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is typically utilized when engineering or administrative controls are insufficient to eliminate or substantially reduce hazards in the workplace. This situation arises when there are inherent risks that cannot be adequately managed through these controls alone, making PPE essential for protecting workers from potential injuries or health risks.

In a work environment, there are various levels of hazard control, and while engineering controls (such as machine guards) and administrative controls (such as workplace policies) are the first lines of defense, they may not completely address certain risks. PPE serves as the final barrier to protect individuals from exposure to these unmitigated hazards, such as chemical spills, airborne particles, or physical impacts, ensuring that employees remain safe while performing their duties.

The other options do not align with the primary purpose of PPE use. For instance, using PPE when risks are minimal may lead to unnecessary costs and reduced comfort for workers, while relying solely on the completion of training or working from home does not directly relate to the active necessity of PPE in risk-prone environments.