PPE

Your first line of defense against burns and injuries is the personal protective equipment that you wear. The following articles of PPE are recommended for crew members:

• Shirts and pants – Outer clothing must be of a natural fiber such as cotton or wool, or ideally, flame-resistant Nomex material. Do not wear synthetic material. Synthetics will melt at temperatures commonly found on prescribed fires and will cause severe burns.
• Boots – Lace up, all-leather boots with at least an 8-inch upper height give good foot and ankle support.
• Leather gloves – Leather gloves protect your hands from burns and blisters.
• Eye protection – Safety glasses or goggles should be worn for eye protection when operating blowers or chainsaws.
• Hearing protection – Personnel using blowers, chainsaws, pumps, tractors, etc., should use hearing protection.
• Hardhat – Wearing a hardhat is recommended whenever overhead hazards are present, such as burning in woodlands or operating a chainsaw.