Items such as gloves and eye protection are classified as what?

The correct classification for items such as gloves and eye protection is personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE refers to various types of safety gear designed to protect the wearer from potential hazards that can be encountered in the workplace, especially in situations like vehicle rescue operations. This includes gloves, helmets, goggles, and other equipment that help minimize exposure to risks such as chemicals, sharp objects, or physical trauma.

Personal protective equipment is crucial for ensuring the safety of rescuers and provides a first line of defense against injuries or health risks. It is tailored to protect specific body parts depending on the type of hazard present, making it an essential component of any safety program.

The other classifications, while important in a safety context, serve different purposes. Work practice controls involve methods for minimizing risk through changes in how tasks are performed, while engineering controls focus on the design and use of equipment to reduce exposure to hazards. Body substance isolation is a technique primarily used in medical and emergency response settings to prevent the transmission of infectious agents. Each plays a vital role in an overall safety strategy, but for the specific context of gloves and eye protection, personal protective equipment is the appropriate classification.