Evolution of Personal Protective Equipment through the Years

The term PPE or Personal Protective Equipment is the modern umbrella term for workwear or devices which make work or tasks less hazardous. This concept dates to ancient times where, originally, activities including construction or gardening were well placed to benefit from a forward-thinking approach to employment. This period saw the rise of PPE even before the advent of medicine and industry.

The military were one of the earliest beneficiaries of protective equipment including the use of rhinoceros skin as armour by Chinese warriors as early as the 11^th century BC. This had the express idea of protecting against injuries and was probably, along with gloves used in building and gardening, one of the earliest duties to make use of safety equipment. In fact, gloves are mentioned in the Greek text, The Odyssey, by Homer.

As the years went by armour evolved to use leather and eventually metal to guard against potentially fatal blows. By the Middle Ages soldiers were wearing helmets, suits of armour and gloves on the battlefield. This protection was primarily to prevent injuries rather than protection against biological or chemical hazards which is a more recent development. These early designs display a rudimentary awareness of safety needs and risk assessment.

Other occupations that sought some protection from injury included blacksmiths who needed aprons and gloves to offset the damage from burns from hot metal and heat. Mining and construction were heavily dependant on protective equipment, including helmets and clothing. These were used to guard against falling objects and dust. In healthcare, the need to protect against infection brought about the need for gowns and masks.

In the modern age, protecting faces, ears and eyes have brought in to being a more safety conscious philosophy at home and in the workplace. Such things as gloves and masks are now commonplace at work or at home when doing DIY. Foot and eye protection are required to help construction workers in their day-to-day activities while modern settings such as factories and hospitals both uphold the use of PPE. The specific type of equipment will depend on the exact tasks. Earmuffs and ear plugs are routinely used in many outdoor settings such as parks, road maintenance and building sites in a more safety conscious era.

Rudimentary designs for respirators were invented as far back as the sixteenth century by Leonardo Da Vinci. At that time doctors were combatting the effects of the plague, necessitating the use of gowns, helmets and gloves. During the 1^st World War respirators were widely used to fight against the use of chemical agents and are now seen as a benchmark in the development of PPE. During World War 2 gas masks were routinely used on the battlefield to combat the effects of chemical weapons.

Respirators are necessary to prevent the inhalation of toxic gases and airborne contaminants not just in industrial workplaces, but also in the home. Awareness of the effects of excessive dust, fumes and gases mean that regulations, now in place enable a safe working environment in some of the more dangerous settings.