Clothing especially designed, fabricated, or treated to protect personnel against hazards caused by extreme changes in physical environment, dangerous working conditions, or enemy action. The term 'protective clothing' covers a wide range of products, including high visibility garments for worker's amongst traffic; flame-proof coveralls for racing drivers; flame and heat resistant turn-out suits for firemen; gas, liquid, and dust proof suits for the chemical industry's workers; chain-mail gloves for butchers; chain-saw stopping trousers for forestry workers; hard hats and hard-toe boots for building workers; welders' UV protective gloves and goggles; hearing protectors, immersion suits, and buoyant garments for workers on water; rescue harnesses and fall arrest systems; bullet proof vests; and a wide range of sports equipment from fencing masks to ice hockey goal keepers' whole body coverage with impact absorbing padding. Viewed simply, protective clothing is something an individual places between themselves and a hazard in order to stay in the vicinity of the hazard with a reduced risk of injury.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury by blunt impacts, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, and in sports, martial arts, combat, etc. Personal armor is combat-specialized protective gear. In British legislation the term PPE does not cover items such as armour. The terms "protective gear" and "protective clothing" are in many cases interchangeable; "protective clothing" is applied to traditional categories of clothing, and "gear" is a more general term and preferably means uniquely protective categories, such as pads, guards, shields, masks, etc.
PPE can also be used to protect the working environment from pesticide application, pollution or infection from the worker (for example in a microchip factory). The protection may be important in both ways, as with the use of disposable gloves by surgeons and dentists.
Effect of UV on human health
Exposure to the sun is known to be associated with different types of skin cancer, accelerated skin ageing, cataract and other eye diseases. There is also evidence that UV radiation reduces the effectiveness of the immune system.
Skin
Eye
Immune System
Vulnerable groups
Textile Materials and UV Protection
Sun protection involves a combination of sun avoidance and the use of protective garments & accessories. Reducing the exposure time to sunlight, using sunscreens and protective clothes are the three ways of protection against the deleterious effects of UV radiation. Apart from sunscreen lotions, textile materials and accessories made of textile materials are largely used for UV protection. UV protection through textiles include various apparels, accessories such as hats, shoes, shade structures such as umbrellas, awnings, and baby carrier covers and the fabric materials to produce these items.
