In an emergency, PPE must be both available and suitable for the hazard. A recent CCTV National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Day program highlighted secondary injuries caused by missing or incorrectly used PPE and noted that some organizations focus on emergency equipment while overlooking basic worker protection during evacuation, emergency repair, or temporary response.
The program highlighted head, respiratory, and hearing hazards during fires, chemical releases, and building collapses. Smoke can cause asphyxiation or toxic exposure, while high-noise repair work can permanently damage hearing. These risks need to be addressed before an emergency, not after an injury occurs.
EHS managers should review the PPE specified in existing emergency plans. Routine training often focuses on normal operations, while emergency PPE needs may receive less attention. For example, do emergency kits contain respiratory protection suitable for the expected contaminants and exposure? Is head protection positioned where it can be reached quickly during evacuation? These details can affect how effectively employees can protect themselves in an emergency.
Emergency PPE should be selected for the expected scenarios, not simply copied from routine work. Respiratory protection must match the contaminant and be practical to use under stress; head protection may need both impact and flame resistance. Storage location, clear labeling, and periodic inspection are also essential.
Hearing protection may also be necessary during emergency repairs involving heavy machinery. Earplugs or earmuffs should be included in emergency supplies where high noise is expected, and drills should help workers identify and use the equipment quickly.
Disaster preparedness is not only about stockpiling equipment. PPE should be integrated into emergency plans, equipment placement, inspection, and training so that workers can access and use the right protection when an incident occurs.
News source:Ministry of Emergency Management of the People's Republic of China, 2026-05-16: "CCTV Channel 12 'Emergency Moment' National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Day Special Program - Part 1 and Part 2, May 17 and 18 at 11:40 AM, 2026-05-16 11:45." This article only interprets PPE knowledge in conjunction with public news topics.
