Final answer:
OSHA defines 'personal protective equipment' as specialized clothing or gear for employee protection against hazards, and mandates employers to first attempt to eliminate risks with other methods before resorting to PPE.
Step-by-step explanation:
OSHA defines personal protective equipment (PPE) as "specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard." OSHA's role includes enforcing safety standards in various workplaces, requiring employers to protect workers by providing necessary PPE to mitigate risks. Personal protective equipment may include items such as safety harnesses, gloves, earplugs, hard hats, or respirators. It is essential for safeguarding employees against physical harm in the workplace. Furthermore, under OSHA, the right to work in a safe environment is upheld; employers are required to reduce hazards using means such as engineering controls or safer working practices wherever possible before relying on PPE. This serves as one of the many health and safety standards that OSHA mandates and enforces to ensure employee well-being.