Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) under NOM-017-STPS-2008 is essential for ensuring safety in any workplace. In México, this standard establishes how to select, use, and manage PPE correctly. Compliance not only prevents accidents but also creates safer and more responsible work environments.
What is Personal Protective Equipment according to NOM-017-STPS-2008?
The standard defines PPE as the set of devices or elements designed to protect workers against accidents or illnesses caused by agents in the work environment. This includes hard hats, gloves, boots, respirators, face shields, harnesses, and many other types of equipment.
Objective of NOM-017-STPS-2008
The main objective of this standard is to establish the minimum requirements for employers to select, acquire, and provide the appropriate PPE. This selection must always be based on the specific risks of each job position.
Who does this standard apply to?
NOM-017-STPS-2008 applies to all workplaces in México where PPE is required to protect workers from risks arising from their activities. It is therefore mandatory in virtually every industry.
Key employer obligations under NOM-017-STPS-2008
The standard sets out clear responsibilities for employers. Below are the most important ones.
1. Identify and analyze risks by position and area
The employer must record the risks to which workers are exposed. To do this, they must take into account:
- Type of activity
- Type of risk
- Anatomical region to be protected
- Job position
- Required PPE
This analysis enables the selection of appropriate equipment and helps prevent accidents.
2. Determine the appropriate protective equipment
PPE selection must be based on the risk analysis. It can also be guided by Table A1 set out in the reference guide included in the standard.
3. Provide PPE that meets the required specifications
- The equipment provided must:
- Reduce exposure to the risk
- Be for personal use, where applicable
- Fit the worker's physical characteristics
- Include manufacturer instructions for use, inspection, maintenance, and disposal
4. Train workers on the correct use of PPE
Training must cover:
- Proper use
- PPE limitations
- Inspection and maintenance
- Requesting replacements
- Disposal
5. Supervise the use of PPE during working hours
The employer must verify that workers wear their equipment whenever their activities require it.
Worker obligations
The standard also establishes obligations for workers. The most important include:
- Participating in training
- Using PPE in accordance with instructions
- Inspecting equipment before, during, and after each shift
- Reporting when PPE no longer provides adequate protection
- These actions strengthen a culture of prevention.
Types of Personal Protective Equipment according to Table A1 of NOM-017-STPS-2008
Below is a clear, organized summary of PPE types classified by anatomical region:
1. Head protection
- Impact-resistant hard hats
- Dielectric hard hats
- Hoods against cold or airborne particles
2. Eyes and face
- Safety glasses
- Goggles
- Face shields
- Welding helmets
3. Hearing
- Earplugs
- Earmuffs
4. Respiratory protection
- Particulate respirators
- Gas and vapor respirators
- Disposable face masks
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
5. Upper extremities
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- Dielectric gloves
- Thermal gloves (heat/cold protection)
- Protective sleeves
6. Torso
- Thermal or chemical aprons
- Coveralls
- Lab coats
- Specialized clothing for hazardous substances
7. Lower extremities
- Occupational footwear
- Steel-toe footwear
- Dielectric footwear
- Gaiters
- Waterproof boots
8. Other equipment
- Fall-arrest harness
- Firefighting brigade equipment
Safe working conditions: the complement to PPE
PPE alone is not enough. To guarantee real safety, it must be integrated with adequate conditions within the workplace, such as:
- Signage compliant with NOM-026-STPS
- Preventive machinery maintenance
- Orderly and clean work areas
- Clear safety procedures
- Ongoing training
When all these elements work together, accidents are reduced and a culture of prevention is strengthened.
Conclusion
NOM-017-STPS-2008 is the mandatory guide for correctly selecting, using, and maintaining personal protective equipment. Complying with it not only avoids penalties, but also protects worker health and improves productivity.
Incorporating appropriate PPE, continuous training, and safe working conditions makes it possible to build responsible work environments aligned with safety standards in México.
