Kennecott and its parent company, Rio Tinto, takes the health and safety of its employees very seriously. Regardless of cost the best personal protection equipment (PPE) available is used and replaced without question if worn out or damaged. The heavy aluminized leather tapping gear shown here completely protects the tapper from head to toe from the heat and molten material splatter. A full face mask respirator is worn under the face shield. The proper use and care of all necessary PPE is vigorously enforced, there are no exceptions to this rule.