Why is proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) essential in waste management?

Proper PPE is essential in waste management primarily to protect workers from hazardous materials and injuries. The nature of waste management often involves exposure to various risks, such as sharp objects, biological hazards, toxic substances, and chemical agents. Wearing appropriate PPE like gloves, helmets, masks, and protective clothing ensures that workers minimize their risk of injury and exposure to harmful materials, promoting a safer work environment.

While enhancing worker productivity may be a benefit of using PPE, the primary focus is on safety rather than efficiency. Similarly, while making handling waste more comfortable or reducing waste generation are important considerations in waste management, they do not address the core purpose of PPE. PPE is fundamentally about safeguarding health and safety in potentially hazardous environments.