Which two safety items are commonly required on deck as personal protective equipment?

• A. Sunglasses and sandals.
• B. PFD and hard hat.
• C. Gloves only.
• D. Earplugs and scarf.

Answer: (B)

On deck, personal protective equipment is chosen to guard against the most common and serious hazards you face near water and overhead structures. A personal flotation device keeps you afloat if you happen to go overboard, which is a real risk on any vessel or near the water’s edge. A hard hat protects your head from impacts from equipment, lines, or items that might fall or swing loose in a busy, dynamic working environment. These protections address the two broad, frequent dangers on deck: drowning and head injuries. Other options don’t provide this level of protection—gloves alone don’t help if you’re overboard or hit on the head, sunglasses and sandals don’t protect against head or immersion hazards, and earplugs with a scarf don’t mitigate the key risks of drowning or head injury.