Personal Protective Equipment: The Everyday Safety Essential for CDL-A Drivers

Post Date - Sep 23, 2025

When you’re out on the road or at a customer site loading or unloading, safety doesn’t just depend on how you drive—it also depends on the gear you wear. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a simple but critical part of every truck driver’s job. At Ascend, we take pride in prioritizing driver safety, and PPE is a key component of that commitment.

Common PPE for Truck Drivers

Every driver’s day looks different, but here are the most common pieces of PPE you’ll need to keep handy:

High-visibility vest or jacket – Makes you easy to see in yards, docks, and low-light conditions.
Work gloves – Protects your hands from cuts, burns, and rough surfaces when handling freight or equipment.
Steel-toe or safety boots – Prevents serious injuries from dropped freight or heavy equipment.
Safety glasses – Shields your eyes from dust, chemicals, or flying debris.
Hard hat – Required on some job sites or construction zones.
Hearing protection – Useful around loud equipment or industrial sites.

PPE in Action: When to Wear What

Knowing when to wear PPE is just as important as having it.

Loading docks – High-vis vest, gloves, and boots should always be on.
Fuel stops – Gloves protect your skin from fuel or chemicals.
Construction zones – Hard hat, safety glasses, and high-vis gear are often required.
Customer sites – Always follow posted PPE rules; some shippers require specific items before you can even step out of the cab.

Storing and Caring for Your PPE

Keeping PPE organized makes it easier to use every day:

Dedicated storage space – Use a clean bin or bag in your cab so your PPE is easy to grab.
Inspection checklist – Look for cracks in your helmet, worn-out boots, stretched-out high-vis vests, or ripped gloves. Replace anything damaged.
Cleaning routine – Wipe down safety glasses, wash vests regularly, and keep gloves dry to extend their life.
Backup gear – Keep an extra vest, gloves, or glasses in case something gets lost, dirty, or damaged on the job.

Why PPE Matters

PPE isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about:

Protecting your health – One pair of gloves can prevent a serious cut or burn.
Avoiding downtime – Staying safe means fewer injuries and more time on the road.
Professionalism – Customers notice when drivers come prepared. PPE shows you take safety and your job seriously.
Company compliance – Following PPE requirements helps Ascend maintain trust and strong partnerships with our customers.

Our Commitment to Safety

At Ascend, we’re proud of the professionalism and safety mindset our drivers bring to the road every day. PPE is just one part of how we keep each other safe, but it’s a powerful one. Whether you’re fueling up, stepping onto a dock, or delivering to a customer, your PPE is more than gear—it’s peace of mind.

So, before you hit the road, ask yourself: Is my PPE ready to go? Staying safe starts with the choices you make every day, and at Ascend, we’re here to back you up every mile of the way.