When is PPE considered an adequate safety measure?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is considered an adequate safety measure primarily when other safety measures are unavailable. This is because PPE serves as a last line of defense to protect workers from hazards that cannot be sufficiently mitigated through engineering controls, administrative changes, or safe work practices. In situations where risks are present, the ideal strategy is to eliminate the hazard at its source or reduce exposure to it. If those alternative options are not feasible or accessible, then relying on PPE is justified to provide a layer of protection to the individual.

The other options do not capture the comprehensive intent behind the use of PPE. While it may be applicable during high-risk conditions or as a sole means of protection, it should not generally be the only measure relied upon. Safety protocols ideally emphasize a hierarchy of controls where PPE is supplemented by other preventative measures to create a safe working environment. Cost-effectiveness is not a guiding principle for adequacy in safety measures, rather safety and health considerations take paramount importance.