Which of the following is NOT a function of personal protective equipment?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a crucial role in workplace safety by providing various functions aimed at reducing the risk of injury or illness. The correct choice highlights that PPE does not eliminate hazards entirely; rather, its primary purpose is to minimize the potential for exposure to those hazards.

PPE is designed to protect individuals from specific risks and dangers, such as chemical splashes, falling objects, or airborne particulates, but it cannot completely remove these hazards from the work environment. For example, a puncture-resistant glove will help protect hands from cuts and punctures, but it does not eliminate the sharp objects present in the workspace.

While PPE can enhance comfort and prevent injuries, it is important to note that these functions are secondary to its main role of providing a barrier against hazards. Consequently, relying solely on PPE without addressing the underlying hazards—in terms of elimination, substitution, or engineering controls—can lead to an insufficient safety strategy.