Which of the following describes personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is specifically designed to protect individuals from various hazards they may encounter in their work environment. The primary function of PPE is to serve as a barrier between the user and potential hazards, which may include physical, chemical, biological, or radiological threats. By wearing appropriate PPE, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of injury or illness caused by these hazards.

In this context, while safety training programs are important for informing personnel about risks and safe practices, they do not constitute PPE themselves. Similarly, while there are various control measures available for managing risks, PPE is considered a last line of defense rather than the most effective control strategy compared to engineering controls or process redesign, which minimize hazards at the source. Lastly, redesigning processes is a proactive approach to eliminate or reduce exposure to risks, but it does not involve the use of personal protective equipment. Therefore, recognizing that PPE serves primarily to act as a direct barrier to hazards clarifies why this choice is the most accurate description of PPE.