Personal Protective Technology Program

What are our priorities?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Personal Protective Technology (PPT) Program works to evaluate, and improve equipment worn by workers and develop interventions to protect them from hazards. Technologies include respirators, protective clothing, gloves, eye, fall and hearing protection, hard hats, and sensors to detect hazardous substances. The PPT program works collaboratively with industry, labor, trade associations, professional organizations, and academia. The program focuses on these areas:

• Providing processes to ensure PPT meet the requirements of the appropriate standards. Respirator approval and post approval evaluation is especially important.
• Ensuring PPT effectiveness including research to evaluate performance, comfort, fit and usability
• Improving protection provided by all types of PPT by developing science-based standards, guidance and interventions

Personal Protective Technology Program