Which combination of PPE is most appropriate to protect eyes, face, and skin from chemical splashes?

• A. Regular eyeglasses, nitrile gloves, and street clothes.
• B. Leather gloves and cotton lab coat.
• C. Chemical splash-rated goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, and protective clothing; selection depends on hazards.
• D. Safety lanyard, hearing protection, reflective vest.

Answer: (C)

Protecting eyes, face, and skin from chemical splashes requires gear that is specifically designed to resist chemicals and provide a sealed barrier. The best choice is to wear chemical splash-rated goggles or a face shield to shield the eyes and much of the face, chemical-resistant gloves to guard the hands, and protective clothing to cover the skin. This combination directly addresses all three exposure routes—eyes, face, and skin—and uses equipment rated for chemical contact. The exact pieces should be selected based on the hazards present (which chemicals, concentration, splash potential, duration of exposure, etc.), ensuring materials are compatible with those chemicals.

Regular eyeglasses offer no splash protection and often don’t seal well against splashes, and street clothes or non-specialized gloves provide little to no chemical resistance. Leather gloves and a cotton lab coat don’t offer adequate chemical protection. Other items like a safety lanyard, hearing protection, or a reflective vest don’t address eye, face, or skin protection from chemical splashes.