Personal Protective Equipment - Skin and Hand Protection

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential safety component of a worker’s tasks when they could become injured as a result of an exposure to a physical, chemical, electrical or biological hazard. PPE is designed to protect the worker from potential harm and is required by workplace legislation.


Employers must educate and train workers in the proper use of skin protection, and ensure all skin protection is worn and is properly maintained.

PPE, including skin protection, is the last means of protection by ensuring:

  • the hazard is controlled at the source and employees know PPE is a secondary means of protection.
  • all employees have a full understanding for the need, proper care and use of PPE.
  • that PPE is properly fitted for each employee.
  • that the use of PPE is consistently enforced where needed

On every construction project, workers must use appropriate protection when there is a risk of injury from contact between the worker’s skin and,

  • a noxious gas, liquid, fume or dust,
  • an object that may puncture, cut or abrade the skin,
  • a hot object, hot liquid or molten metal, or
  • radiant heat.

Personal hand and skin protection is often the only practical means of preventing injury and there are a variety of ways to protect the skin while on projects. Examine each situation carefully to identify potential risks of injury to the skin and hand. Understand the uses and limitations for relevant types of skin protection. Select and use the appropriate type of protection when there is a hazard that cannot be removed or controlled adequately.

Construction Projects
O. Reg. 213/91

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 21 Protective Clothing, Equipment and Devices

21. (1) A worker shall wear such protective clothing and use such personal protective equipment or devices as are necessary to protect the worker against the hazards to which the worker may be exposed.

(2) A worker's employer shall require the worker to comply with subsection (1).

(3) A worker required to wear protective clothing or use personal protective equipment or devices shall be adequately instructed and trained in the care and use of the clothing, equipment or device before wearing or using it.

Section 25

25. A worker shall use protection appropriate in the circumstances when there is a risk of injury on a project from contact between the worker's skin and,

(a) a noxious gas, liquid, fume or dust;

(b) an object that may puncture, cut or abrade the skin;

(c) a hot object, hot liquid or molten metal; or

(d) radiant heat.