Which piece of personal protective equipment is required when using a capstan hoist?

• A. Leather Gloves
• B. Safety Glasses
• C. Hard Hat
• D. Safety Toe Boots

Answer: (C)

Head protection is essential around a capstan hoist because there’s a real risk of overhead hazards: loads, lines, or parts of the hoist can shift or fall, or tools and hardware can strike the operator from above. A hard hat provides impact protection for the head and helps absorb shocks if something unlucky happens near the capstan area, which is why it’s the required piece of PPE in this scenario. Leather gloves protect hands from rope burn, safety glasses guard the eyes from debris, and safety toe boots protect the feet, but the item specifically required to address the primary risk here is head protection.