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

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) serves a critical function in maintaining safety in the workplace by acting as the last line of defense when other safety measures fail. It is designed to protect workers from hazards that cannot be completely eliminated through engineering controls or administrative processes, such as exposure to chemicals, noise, or physical hazards.

In situations where machinery or systems may malfunction, and despite the presence of safety measures (like guards and alarms), PPE provides an essential layer of protection for personnel. This is especially important in environments where the risk of injury is significant, and workers may be exposed to unforeseen dangers. Therefore, the correct understanding of PPE's role is that it is utilized to protect workers when all other safety measures may not suffice, essentially safeguarding them from potential harm.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of PPE's function. PPE is not intended to replace engineering controls or eliminate the need for supervision, as ongoing oversight is crucial for maintaining workplace safety. Additionally, while comfort might be a consideration in designing PPE, the primary focus is on protection and safety rather than comfort alone.