The employer is responsible for providing PPE to protect you from exposure to hazardous chemicals. In most workplace safety systems (for example under OSHA in the U.S. and similar laws elsewhere), the employer must:

  • Assess chemical hazards in the workplace.
  • Select the correct PPE (gloves, goggles, respirators, suits, etc.) for those hazards.
  • Provide that PPE at no cost to employees.
  • Train workers on when and how to use, maintain, and replace PPE.
  • Replace damaged, worn, or contaminated PPE.

Workers are responsible for using the PPE correctly and taking reasonable care of it, but the duty to supply appropriate PPE and ensure it is available and suitable rests on the employer.