Selecting the right PPE is critical to compliance, with regards to two main elements:

• Is it adequate?
• Is it suitable?

Adequacy – will it protect?

This is the element that is most understood and which is widely used today as the means by which to select PPE. It refers to whether the product has the ability to protect the user from the hazard they are facing. For example, the ear plug attenuates the noise to a level, which reduces harm to a reasonable level.

Suitability – will it be worn?

This is often an area that is not given as much consideration during the purchasing process. The fundamental question is: will the product not only protect the wearer, but will it be suitable for the worker, the task and the environment in which it must be worn? This goes beyond understanding the technical specification of the product and ventures into the world of appreciating the product’s effectiveness in use. If this area is overlooked, it can lead to a reduction in products being worn and hence workers that are not protected as they are intended.