Personal Protective Equipment
3M Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Keeping workers safe means protecting them from the many hazards that exist across industrial and commercial environments. When barriers and engineering controls aren’t enough, personal protective equipment (PPE) provides that final layer of defense.
PPE includes everything from Apparel & Workwear and Eye Protection to Head & Face Protection and Hearing Protection; all designed to reduce exposure to injury or illness on the job.
In environments where noise levels, debris, or airborne contaminants are present, safety gear like Respiratory Protection and Protective Communications systems play a key role. They help control exposure to harmful particles and maintain clear communication in high-noise areas.
Modern safety technology also includes Software & Smart Accessories that integrate monitoring, data collection, and compliance tracking into everyday protective gear. And for workers exposed to sparks, heat, or intense light, Welding Protection provides the visibility and shielding needed to stay safe while staying productive.
At RSP Supply, we carry a full line of PPE solutions from trusted brands like 3M, designed to help you meet safety standards, stay compliant, and protect your team.
FAQs
What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is any kind of clothes or gear that keeps workers safe from injury or exposure to hazards on the job. Think gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, ear plugs, masks, face shields and things like coverall jumpsuits.
Why is PPE important?
It’s the last line of defense when other safety measures can’t fully prevent danger. Using PPE cuts down on cuts, burns, sickness and long‑term health problems that would otherwise harm the worker.
Who’s in charge of providing PPE?
The employer has to supply proper PPE for free. They also have to make sure the gear fits correctly, is kept in good shape and is replaced promptly when it breaks. This duty comes straight from OSHA rules (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I).
What are the main groups of PPE?
The main groups are: eye and face protection, head protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, hand protection, foot protection, and body protection (such as coveralls, aprons, and flame-resistant clothing). Each group deals with a different kind of danger at work.
How should PPE fit?
It should be snug but not uncomfortable. Gear that’s too loose or too tight can fail and make accidents more likely. Companies should keep several sizes and do fit tests when the law says they must, like respirator seal checks.
Tips on when to replace cartridges & filters on your 3M™ reusable respirator
Reusable Respirators
Replace Prefilters if they become dirty, damaged or difficult to breathe through.
A change schedule for chemical cartridges is based on several factors including: the type of cartridge, the concentration of airborne contaminants, how intense the work rate is, and the temperature and humidity.
Replace cartridges earlier if you detect a taste, smell or experience irritation from the contaminants.