Personal protective equipment (PPE), when selected, maintained, and used correctly and consistently, helps minimize exposure to potential hazards that may cause injury or illness in the workplace. PPE serves as a last line of defense in situations where the hazard cannot be eliminated or substituted, and other control options, such as modified equipment or reduced intensity of exposure to hazards, are not feasible or effective in reducing risks.

CSA Group standards provide a framework that helps organizations protect workers. These standards address various aspects of the design, use, and care for PPE, and provide guidance for selecting the appropriate types of PPE for specific tasks. CSA Group research and standards cover areas including:

• fall protection
• respiratory, eye, face, and hearing protection
• protective headwear, footwear, and high-visibility safety apparel
• application of PPE in the protection of first responders during chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events, as well as workers investigating and dismantling clandestine drug laboratories

In addition to these topics, recent CSA Group research examines equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in relation to PPE and presents the experiences of Canadian women with the availability and selection of PPE in their workplaces.

To help organizations understand and implement the requirements of the standards for PPE and adopt them in a way that meets the needs and priorities of their workplaces, CSA Group has developed a set of free standards support tools and resources.