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Know your PPE

Every infection prevented, Every life saved, begins with one choice, The Right PPE

PPE: Precise Protection, Proven by Science

I won’t claim to be the ultimate authority on #PPE, but I’ve earned my stripes the old-fashioned way through miles traveled and conversations that mattered. From the icy roads of Jammu to the lush hills of Manipur, from Kerala’s coastal hospitals to Gujarat’s bustling pharma hubs, I’ve walked factory floors, sat in boardrooms, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with healthcare workers.


As COO of Shalex Meditech , our tagline ‘We Care’ became more than a slogan it was the driving force behind my curiosity, pushing me to understand the real pain points of those who safeguard lives. Being a medical device manufacturer and part of Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) , with a front-row seat at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone Limited , gave me a rare vantage point to listen to the challenges faced by decision-makers every day. And what I discovered was this: while India has been leaning heavily on imported standards and practices, they don’t always reflect our reality. In a country where kos kos pe badle paani, chaar kos pe badle vaani, can a single ‘universal’ formula truly fit us all?


What is PPE?

When we talk about PPE-Personal Protective Equipment most people picture gloves, masks, or coveralls. But there’s a reason it’s called #Equipment and not just “#Gear” or “#Clothing.” This word was chosen deliberately, to remind us that PPE isn’t a casual accessory, it's a carefully engineered, scientifically tested tool designed to save lives. Just like a machine on your shop floor or a medical device in a hospital, every piece of PPE is built with precision, rated for protection, and chosen based on strict safety parameters. It deserves the same respect and diligence as any other critical equipment because, in many cases, it’s the only thing standing between you and harm.


Think of it like this. You wouldn’t go out in a rainstorm without a jacket and umbrella. You wouldn't ride a bike without a helmet. That’s PPE for your everyday life. At work, the "Storms" might be different like chemicals, flying sparks, germs but the idea is the same. PPE is your personal armor against whatever your job might throw at you. And just like you own both rain boots and snow boots, the PPE you need totally depends on your job.


PPE is everywhere, but its design is always tailored to the risk it’s meant to guard against. Even the simplest item a facemask, a gown, a pair of gloves carries different levels of protection. For example, surgical gowns can range from Level 1 to Level 4 #Protection depending on the complexity of the procedure, while cleanroom coveralls can span Level 1 to Level 6, based on how critical the environment is and the hazards present. A mask for a routine ward round is not the same as one needed for an isolation unit or a sterile manufacturing line. There’s no universal solution; every choice is a safety calculation, not a guess. Selecting the right PPE means understanding your risk and matching it with protection that’s been tested and rated to international standards.


Workplace safety isn’t governed by just one rulebook. While OSHA in the U.S. set the stage for modern workplace safety back in 1970, today there are multiple International and Indian standards that define what “Safe” really means many of which decision-makers may not even realize exist. For healthcare and pharma, this includes Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), NABH guidelines, ISO standards like ISO 13485 for medical devices, and BIS norms that set product-level benchmarks. Each of these frameworks reinforces one unshakable principle: it’s the employer’s responsibility to provide the correct PPE, rated and chosen according to the risks workers face.


PPE: A Category, Not a Single Product

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) isn’t one product; it’s a carefully selected ensemble of tools designed to protect different parts of the body based on specific risks. For healthcare and pharma industries, where sterility, contamination control, and staff safety are non-negotiable, PPE choices need to be deliberate not generic.

  • For Your Head: Instead of hard hats, think bouffant caps, surgical caps, or cleanroom hoods - all designed to prevent hair or particulates from compromising sterile zones. In high-containment areas, powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) hoods may also be required.
  • For Your Eyes & Face: From anti-fog goggles in a sterile environment to full-face shields during surgical or chemical handling procedures, these protect staff from splashes, aerosols, and biohazards. Eye protection is often combined with respirators in high-risk infection control zones.
  • For Your Ears: Hospitals and pharma facilities aren’t typically noisy like airports, but hearing protection is crucial in sterilization units, automated manufacturing lines, and high-decibel HVAC or compressor rooms.
  • For Your Lungs: Respiratory protection is critical where airborne contamination, chemical vapors, or sterilant gases (like ethylene oxide) are present. Choices range from N95 respirators for infection control to half/full-face respirators or PAPRs for sterilization and manufacturing processes.
  • For Your Body: This is where gowns, coveralls, and aprons come into play. In healthcare, surgical gowns range from BIS/AAMI Level 1 to Level 4 based on fluid resistance needs. In pharma, coveralls are selected per ISO Class cleanroom standards and EN 14126 or ISO 16604 resistance testing. Specialized chemical suits may be needed in sterilization or R&D.
  • For Your Hands: Gloves are a frontline defense: sterile surgical gloves for OT use, nitrile or neoprene gloves for cleanroom processes, chemical-resistant gloves for sterilization staff, and cut-resistant gloves for instrument handling.
  • For Your Feet: Footwear plays a quiet but critical role. Autoclavable clogs, antistatic footwear, or cleanroom boots help control contamination, while anti-slip soles prevent accidents in fast-paced hospital environments.

Single-Use vs Multiple-Use PPE: It’s Not a Contest, It’s a Strategy

Personal Protective Equipment isn’t about trends or price tags it’s about precision. In healthcare and pharmaceutical environments, every choice has consequences. Single-use PPE is your frontline warrior in infection control. It’s designed for absolute sterility and convenience, meant to be discarded after one use to prevent cross-contamination. In high-risk settings like isolation wards, operating rooms, or cleanrooms, single-use gowns, masks, and gloves create a foolproof barrier between the wearer and pathogens.

But multiple-use PPE brings its own strengths to the table. Think of it as the seasoned veteran engineered for durability, comfort, and long-term value. A well-constructed reusable gown or coverall, when laundered and sterilized according to strict protocols, not only provides robust protection but also supports sustainability and cost-efficiency. For teams that need protection day in and day out, this becomes an eco-conscious and financially sound choice.

In reality, both categories are allies, not rivals. Many healthcare professionals and pharma teams already practice smart layering: a reusable gown for comfort and fit, topped with a disposable apron or mask for contamination control. The goal isn’t to choose “one over the other” but to assess risk, environment, and workflow to create the perfect mix of protection. The key question to ask is: What exactly am I protecting against today—and how do I safeguard my team without compromise?

At the end of the day, PPE isn’t just fabric, plastic, or a checklist requirement—it’s a calculated shield, built to guard lives. Whether single-use or multiple-use, every mask, gown, and coverall is a strategic choice, not a casual grab. The real mastery lies in matching protection to the exact risk at hand, because the wrong gear can be as dangerous as no gear at all. Next time you reach for PPE, I want this conversation echoing in your mind: “What am I protecting myself from?” That’s where true safety starts.

And this is just the beginning. In our next discussion, we’ll break down How to perform risk assessment and mitigation when buying PPE turning this theory into action. Until then, I’d love to hear from you: What challenges do you face when choosing the right PPE? What’s the one thing you wish was simpler in this process? Let’s build this knowledge series together because when it comes to protection, there’s no such thing as “good enough.”