Is PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) considered a substitute for engineering and administrative controls?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not considered a substitute for engineering and administrative controls because it is designed to protect the individual wearing it but does not eliminate the hazards themselves. Engineering controls involve modifications to equipment or processes to reduce or eliminate exposure to hazards, while administrative controls focus on changing policies or procedures to minimize risk. PPE is the last line of defense and is necessary when hazards cannot be adequately controlled through these other methods.

In a safe workplace, the hierarchy of controls prioritizes engineering controls first, followed by administrative controls, and finally PPE, which is used when the other controls are insufficient to ensure safety. Therefore, the idea that PPE could substitute for these more effective measures is incorrect, as it does not address the root cause of hazards but rather serves as an additional protective measure.