Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory on the ramp?

Safety vests and steel-toed boots are essential components of personal protective equipment (PPE) required on the ramp for several reasons. The ramp area of an airport is highly dynamic, with numerous moving vehicles and equipment, making visibility and foot protection critical.

Safety vests, particularly those that are high-visibility, help ensure that workers can be seen by operators of vehicles and machinery, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. This is vital in an environment where visibility can be compromised due to various factors, such as the presence of aircraft or other equipment.

Steel-toed boots provide crucial protection for the feet, safeguarding workers from potential injuries resulting from dropped tools, equipment, or other heavy objects. These are common hazards in ramp environments where cargo is loaded and unloaded, and where there may be unintentional collisions with vehicles.

While other options may include useful equipment for specific tasks, safety vests and steel-toed boots are broadly recognized as foundational PPE that address the most common risks associated with ramp operations.