The right PPE depends on what you're handling, not a single one-size-fits-all kit. Here's a practical baseline by chemical category.
Eyes and Face
Splash goggles are the minimum for any liquid corrosive or irritant; a full face shield worn over goggles is the right choice when there's any risk of splashing at volume — decanting concentrated acid or alkali, opening a drum, connecting/disconnecting dosing lines. Regular safety glasses aren't sufficient protection against a liquid splash.
Hands
Nitrile or neoprene gloves handle most acids, alkalis and general industrial chemicals well; check chemical-resistance charts for the specific product, since no single glove material resists everything equally, and some solvents degrade nitrile faster than others. Replace gloves that show swelling, discoloration or any sign of breakthrough — don't wait for a visible hole.
Body and Respiratory
A chemical-resistant apron or coverall is standard for corrosive handling; for concentrated fuming acids (nitric, hydrochloric) or powder handling that generates dust (lime, soda ash, bleaching powder), add respiratory protection appropriate to the exposure — a properly fitted dust mask for nuisance dust, and a supplied-air or cartridge respirator rated for the specific vapour where fume exposure is a real risk, not just a precaution.
Match PPE to the Task, Not Just the Chemical
The same chemical needs different PPE for different tasks — sampling a sealed drum is lower-risk than transferring bulk liquid through an open connection. Review your PPE requirements against the actual task being performed, and keep the product's SDS handling section as your reference rather than relying on habit.