Climb the hierarchy before choosing PPE
Use the hierarchy of controls to compare control reliability.
The move: ask for the strongest feasible control, not the easiest reminder. NIOSH describes five levels: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE. The order matters because some controls change the work system while others depend on people behaving perfectly in imperfect conditions. Imagine a noisy compressor beside a packing station. Earplugs reduce exposure only if they fit, are available, are worn correctly, and are replaced. Moving the compressor, enclosing it, or buying a quieter model changes the exposure itself. That does not make PPE bad. It means PPE is the backstop, not the whole plan. When you review…
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