Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is anything used or worn by a person to minimise risk to the health and safety of that person. PPE may include special clothing, shoes, masks, hats, gloves, goggles and a range of other protective wear.

In the community services environment PPE is often used as a standard precaution to prevent the spread of infection and disease. The model WHS Act and Regulations 2011 outline that PPE must be worn by all workers if it has been provided by the employer and is required as part of any workplace policy, procedure or work practice.

The PPE most commonly used to prevent the spread of infection and disease in the community services environment is shown here.