Which of the following is included in personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) encompasses a wide range of items designed to safeguard the health and safety of individuals in various work environments, particularly in the automotive and industrial sectors. Proper shoes are essential as they provide safety features such as slip resistance and reinforcement, which protect workers from foot injuries resulting from heavy objects or hazardous conditions.

A hard hat is another critical component of PPE, designed specifically to protect the head from impact, falling objects, and in some cases, electrical hazards. Both of these items are fundamental to ensuring the physical safety of personnel working in environments where such risks are present.

While a reflective vest is important for visibility and may enhance safety especially in low-light conditions, it is not fundamentally considered personal protective equipment in the same way that shoes and hard hats are, because it primarily serves more as a visibility aid rather than a protective barrier against physical injuries.

Therefore, the combination of proper shoes and a hard hat represents a well-rounded approach to PPE that addresses both the need for foot protection and head safety, making the choice that includes these two items the correct answer.