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The choice of ear plugs as not being a piece of personal protective equipment is not accurate. In fact, ear plugs are specifically designed to protect the hearing of individuals in environments where noise levels can be damaging. They help to significantly reduce noise exposure, thus serving an important safety function in various work settings.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes a range of gear designed to safeguard workers against specific hazards they may face on the job. Steel-toed shoes protect feet from heavy objects, high-visibility vests ensure that workers are seen in low-light conditions, and hard hats protect against head injuries from falling objects. Since ear plugs fulfill a critical role in protecting against hearing loss, they are indeed considered a type of PPE.

Understanding the purpose of each item within the context of workplace safety highlights why ear plugs should be classified as personal protective equipment rather than excluded from that category.