PPE Storage
Good storage keeps gear clean, protected and within reach. Gear tossed in a truck bed or left in the sun wears out sooner and often is not there when you need it.
Why does storage matter?
Heat, sun, moisture, dust, chemicals and crushing damage materials. Lenses scratch, rubber stiffens, straps stretch and cushions crack. Gear that is easy to find gets used, and gear that is hard to find does not.
Storage is a simple way to make safe behavior the easy behavior.
A storage plan also helps with inventory. When each item has a place, you can see at a glance what is missing, and you can reorder before you run out.
- Heat and sun harden materials
- Moisture breeds mold
- Crushing bends frames and lenses
What are the general rules?
Store gear clean and dry, away from direct sun, extreme heat or cold and chemicals. Follow the maker's instructions, since some materials need particular conditions. Keep items in cases, bins or labeled hooks.
Do not stack heavy items on top of lenses or muffs, and do not leave them on a dashboard.
Consider the building. A damp barn, a hot shed and a cold shop each pose different problems, so adjust. A closed cabinet in a dry room may beat an open shelf in a dusty barn. A simple rule of thumb is that anything you would not want to leave in a hot car or a damp basement should not be left there for your gear either.
- Clean and dry
- Out of direct sun
- Away from heat, cold and chemical vapors
- Protected from crushing
Where should I keep it?
Put gear where the work starts: hearing protection at the shop door and in each cab, eye protection by the grinder, gloves near the machinery, chemical gear in the mixing area. Several small stations beat one big cabinet.
Label places clearly so that new workers and family members can find items without asking.
Vehicles are a common place to keep gear, but cabs can become very hot and very cold. If you keep items in a truck, choose a case and check them often for damage.
- Hearing protection at the shop door
- Eye protection at the grinder
- Gloves near machinery
- Chemical gear in the mixing area
What about chemical-contaminated gear?
Keep it separate from clean gear and from living areas. Clean it as the label and the maker say, and discard disposable items as directed. Rules for disposal depend on the product and on your state, so ask your agriculture department or local waste authority.
Do not store food, drinks or personal items with chemical gear.
Mark chemical gear clearly and keep it where you mix and apply products. Keep clean gear in a different location to prevent cross-contamination.
- Keep apart from clean gear
- Clean as the label directs
- Dispose as local rules direct
How do I keep it from getting lost or damaged?
Use cases for glasses and plugs, and hooks for muffs and hard hats. Mark names or initials on shared gear, and keep a checklist by the door. Replace items instead of borrowing from the shop when yours goes missing.
A short check at the end of the day, to return gear to its place, builds the habit.
Teach the closing routine to everyone, including kids. Putting things back is simple and teaches that gear matters.
- Cases for glasses and plugs
- Hooks for muffs and helmets
- Initials on shared gear
What about kids and visitors?
Keep a small supply of clean gear in a place that visitors and children can reach and use with an adult, and keep hazardous chemicals and gear that has been contaminated out of reach. Make sure sizes fit.
Explain where things are and what the rule is.
Check storage in each season. Mice, insects and moisture can damage gloves and cushions, so look for signs of chewing or mold.
- Child-sized gear
- A clean visitor kit
- Chemicals out of reach
How do I check my setup?
Walk through your farm and ask whether gear is close to each hazard and in good shape. Ask family and workers where they would look for gloves, goggles or hearing protection, and move anything that is hard to find.
Extension offices and insurance safety consultants can offer ideas for storage that fits your buildings.
- Is gear near each hazard
- Can a new worker find it
- Is anything damaged or missing
Key takeaways
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.