The Basic School (TBS) Phase 1 Practice Exam 2025 - Free TBS Phase 1 Practice Questions and Study Guide

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is considered a physical control measure in risk management because it involves tangible items worn or used by individuals to reduce exposure to hazards that can result in injury or illness. PPE can include items such as helmets, gloves, goggles, and masks, which are specifically designed to protect the wearer from specific risks in the environment.

The importance of PPE lies in its ability to form a barrier between the individual and the hazards present, effectively mitigating the risk of harm. This makes it a direct approach to managing safety in a potentially dangerous setting, differentiating it from other types of controls that may be more administrative or procedural in nature.

For instance, while training manuals, warning signs, and operational guidelines provide crucial information and guidance regarding safety protocols and hazard awareness, they do not physically shield or protect individuals from risks. Instead, these elements serve to inform and instruct but do not provide the direct physical means of protection that PPE does. Therefore, PPE stands out as a key physical control measure in a robust risk management strategy.