Final answer:
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes coveralls, headwear, respirators, and eyewear—all designed to protect workers from workplace hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to a variety of items worn by workers to protect themselves against hazards in the workplace. PPE includes coveralls, which are worn to protect the skin and clothing from hazardous substances, headwear such as caps or hoods to shield the head and hair, respirators to protect the respiratory system from inhalation of harmful particles or gases, and eyewear to protect the eyes from chemical splashes, debris, and other potential dangers.
Specific PPE such as white coveralls, while protecting against direct contact with radioactive material spills, does not safeguard against all types of radiation but may prevent contamination of the skin and clothes. In laboratories, especially high-level biosafety labs (BSL-4), advanced protective suits with their own air supply, designed to maintain a positive pressure to prevent lab air from entering the suit, are essential. Researchers who handle highly infectious agents like the Ebola virus wear multiple layers of PPE, including special protective clothing and breathing systems.
In the event of handling corrosive substances like chlorine, full body suits, gloves, and full face masks with specific filtration for chlorine compounds are vital to reduce exposure risk. Always knowing the location of safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and eyewash stations in the laboratory is a crucial safety practice.