What is the primary purpose of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential primarily to minimize the risk of injury while performing tasks that could expose workers to hazards. This protective gear is designed to shield individuals from a variety of potential dangers such as chemical splashes, falling objects, electrical shocks, and noise levels that could lead to hearing loss. By providing a barrier between the worker and the hazards present in the environment, PPE significantly reduces the chances of accidents and injuries, ensuring a safer workplace.

While looking professional, complying with workplace culture, and meeting company policies may also be considerations in the use of PPE, they do not address the core function of the equipment, which is to protect the individual from harm in potentially dangerous situations. The key focus of utilizing PPE is to safeguard health and prevent injuries, thus it is paramount in the context of safety procedures in any work environment, including pipefitting.