Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an important component of workplace health and safety that helps minimise the risk of injury or illness where hazards cannot be eliminated or adequately controlled through higher-order risk control measures. Although PPE is often associated with healthcare or industrial environments, it also plays a significant role in assistance animal practice.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) working with assistance animals may encounter a wide range of environments, including homes, hospitals, schools, workplaces, aged care facilities, community settings and animal training environments. Each setting presents different hazards that may require the use of appropriate PPE to protect the practitioner, client, assistance animal and others.

PPE should always be considered as part of the hierarchy of risk control. It is the least effective control measure because it does not eliminate the hazard itself; instead, it provides a barrier between the hazard and the individual. Wherever reasonably practicable, higher-level controls such as elimination, substitution or engineering controls should be implemented before relying on PPE.

Purpose of Personal Protective Equipment

The primary purpose of PPE is to reduce exposure to hazards that cannot be adequately controlled through other means.

Within assistance animal practice, PPE may help reduce the risk of:

• exposure to zoonotic diseases
• contact with blood and bodily fluids
• bites and scratches
• exposure to chemicals and cleaning agents
• slips, trips and falls
• musculoskeletal injury
• environmental hazards
• allergen exposure.

Appropriate use of PPE contributes to both worker safety and infection prevention while supporting safe participation in clinical and community environments.

Selecting Appropriate PPE

Selection of PPE should be based on an assessment of the hazards associated with the activity being undertaken rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

Factors that should be considered include:

• the nature of the activity
• the environment
• identified hazards
• likelihood and severity of harm
• duration of exposure
• client needs
• animal behaviour
• applicable legislation and organisational policies.

PPE should be suitable for the intended task, correctly fitted, comfortable to wear and compatible with any additional equipment being used.

Types of PPE Used in Assistance Animal Practice

Gloves

Disposable gloves help reduce the risk of exposure to blood, bodily fluids, wound exudate, animal waste and contaminated surfaces.

Reusable protective gloves may also be appropriate when handling cleaning chemicals or undertaking tasks with an increased risk of scratches or minor injuries.

Gloves should never replace appropriate hand hygiene and must be changed between tasks where cross-contamination may occur.

Protective Clothing

Protective clothing may include:

• disposable gowns
• aprons
• laboratory coats
• protective sleeves
• waterproof outer garments.

Protective clothing helps minimise contamination of personal clothing while reducing the spread of infectious material between environments.

Eye Protection

Safety glasses or protective goggles may be required where there is a risk of splashes from:

• cleaning chemicals
• animal bodily fluids
• disinfectants
• high-pressure cleaning equipment.

Although less commonly required during routine occupational therapy practice, eye protection may be appropriate during some animal care procedures or environmental cleaning activities.

Face Masks and Respiratory Protection

Masks may reduce exposure to respiratory droplets, allergens and airborne particles.

Respiratory protection may be appropriate when working:

• during infectious disease outbreaks
• with immunocompromised clients
• in environments containing dust, mould or animal allergens
• where organisational infection prevention procedures require mask use.

Protective Footwear

Appropriate footwear is particularly important in assistance animal practice.

Footwear should provide:

• adequate grip
• stability
• protection from slips
• protection from dropped objects
• comfort during prolonged standing or walking.

Closed, supportive footwear is generally recommended for clinical and animal handling environments.

Sun Protection

Many Occupational Therapists conduct assessments in outdoor environments.

Sun protection may include:

• broad-brimmed hats
• long-sleeved clothing
• sunscreen
• sunglasses.

These measures reduce the risk of ultraviolet radiation exposure during community-based practice.

Correct Use of PPE

PPE only provides effective protection when it is used correctly.

Occupational Therapists should ensure PPE is:

• inspected before every use
• worn correctly
• removed safely to avoid contamination
• cleaned where appropriate
• disposed of according to organisational procedures
• replaced if damaged or contaminated.

Improper use of PPE may increase rather than reduce risk.

Maintaining PPE

Employers and individual practitioners have responsibilities for ensuring PPE remains safe and effective.

Maintenance may include:

• regular inspection
• cleaning and disinfection
• replacement of damaged items
• correct storage
• monitoring expiry dates where applicable.

Reusable PPE should be maintained according to manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures.

Limitations of PPE

Although PPE is an important safety measure, it has several limitations.

PPE:

• does not remove hazards
• relies on consistent and correct use
• may reduce dexterity during some tasks
• may create communication barriers
• can become contaminated if used incorrectly
• may provide a false sense of security.

For this reason, PPE should always be combined with broader risk management strategies rather than used in isolation.

Supporting Clients to Use PPE

Some assistance animal partnerships may require clients to use PPE in specific circumstances.

Occupational Therapists should consider whether clients:

• understand when PPE is required
• can safely don and doff PPE independently
• require adaptive equipment
• require education or support
• have sensory, cognitive or physical barriers affecting PPE use.

Reasonable adjustments may be required to ensure PPE use is accessible while maintaining safety.

PPE Considerations for Assistance Animals

While PPE is primarily designed to protect people, there may be situations where protective equipment is appropriate for assistance animals.

Examples may include:

• protective boots for hazardous surfaces
• high-visibility vests when working near traffic
• cooling vests in hot environments
• weather protection where appropriate.

Equipment used by assistance animals should never compromise welfare, movement, thermoregulation or the animal’s ability to safely perform trained tasks.

Key Practice Principle

Personal Protective Equipment is an important component of workplace health and safety but should never be relied upon as the primary method of risk control. Occupational Therapists should select PPE based on identified hazards, integrate its use within broader risk management strategies and ensure that both human and animal welfare remain central to decision-making. Appropriate selection, use and maintenance of PPE supports safe, ethical and evidence-informed assistance animal practice.