How should personal protective equipment (PPE) be viewed in terms of effectiveness?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be viewed as a supplement to safe practices because while it plays a crucial role in minimizing risk and protecting individuals from hazards, it is not infallible. PPE is designed to provide a layer of defense against various dangers such as chemical exposure, biological contaminants, or physical injuries, but it is essential to recognize that it should not be relied upon as the sole measure of safety.

In practice, effective safety management involves a combination of strategies. This includes proper training, adherence to protocols, and the implementation of engineering controls along with the use of PPE. For example, in a crime scene investigation, while PPE can protect investigators from exposure to hazardous substances or biological materials, maintaining proper scene control and applying standard operating procedures are equally crucial. Therefore, viewing PPE as an essential but supplementary element reinforces the need for a comprehensive approach to safety that integrates multiple layers of risk management.