Personal Protective Equipment [Infographic]

Your Last Line of Defense: Gear up with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep you protected in the field.

Startling Stats

• Every day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. [1]
• Unintentional injuries have increased over 4% and are now ranked as the fourth leading cause of death. [2]
• In 2009, there were 667 fatalities and 28,958 injuries due to work zone crashes. [3]
• In 2012, over 1,020 workers died from head injuries sustained on the job. [4]
• Every seven seconds a worker is injured on the job. That’s 540 per hour, 12,900 a day, 90,400 a week, 4,700,000 a year. [5]

It is imperative to maintain your equipment in sanitary and reliable conditions. Your PPE is your last line of defense from hazards. Inspect regularly. Gear up. Get working. Be safe.  

Hard Hat

Worn whenever employees are exposed to overhead dangers from falling objects, impact or electric hazards.

• Foresters are REQUIRED to wear ANSI Z89.1-2003 or 2009 Type I Class E as general equipment
• Worn in storm situations and/or high-wind conditions, marking hazard trees or working with tree crews
• Replace at least every five years or if finish becomes dull, chalky, or when cracks or splits are discovered

Hearing Protection

Worn when noise levels exceed OSHA’s 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA)/85 decibels (dB).

• Ensure hearing protection is securely placed in the ear canal or covering the ear
• Ear plugs, canal caps or ear muffs are the most common types of hearing protection
• Replace improperly fitting, dirty or worn-out hearing protection

Safety Glasses

Worn to protect your eyes from impact hazards like flying debris, large chips and particles.

• ANSI Z87.1 or Z87.1+ glasses meet the impact requirements of OSHA
• Worn in ALL field situations outside of a vehicle
• Protection against exposure to vegetation, flying objects, glare, chips and dirt
• Replace glasses when scratched or damaged

High-Visibility Safety Vest

Worn when working outside of your vehicle to increase visibility to others.

• ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 Type R: Class 2 or 3 safety vests are REQUIRED for roadway work
• Suitable for daytime and low-light conditions
• Replace if torn, damaged or lettering/reflective tape has worn away

Boots

Worn by all field employees at all times.

• Minimum of 6 inches tall to ensure proper ankle support
• Rugged treads on the soles protect from slippage on loose terrain
• Replace if damaged, cracks expose inside of the boot, or treads have worn and traction is lost

Other PPE may include:*

• Face shield
• Gloves
• Respirator
• Coveralls
• Walking stick
• Pepper spray
• Gaiters
• Safety whistle

Additional Resources

Click here to learn about the 10 Most Common Workplace Injuries & How to Avoid Them.