What is the primary role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in workplace safety?

The primary role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in workplace safety is to complement engineering controls and work practices. PPE serves as an important last line of defense in protecting workers from potential hazards that cannot be fully controlled through other means. It is designed to reduce the risk of injury or illness when exposure to hazards is unavoidable and can be effectively used alongside other safety measures like engineering controls, administrative controls, and safe work practices.

For instance, while engineering controls may help reduce noise levels in a factory setting, PPE such as earplugs or earmuffs would be used in conjunction to further protect workers' hearing. This layered approach to safety—using PPE in combination with other controls—ensures that risks are managed more effectively and that workers are adequately protected in various situations.

In contrast, the roles suggested in the incorrect options present flawed interpretations of PPE's functionality. PPE is not intended to eliminate all safety hazards, as some risks can be inherent and may not be fully mitigated through equipment alone. It cannot replace engineering controls, which focus on eliminating or reducing hazards at the source. Moreover, stating that PPE is only needed for high-risk environments overlooks its necessity in a wide range of work contexts, including those that might be deemed low-risk but still