Which safety equipment is essential for boilermakers when performing their duties?

The choice of hard hats and safety goggles as essential safety equipment for boilermakers is correct due to the high-risk nature of their work environment. Boilermakers often work in construction, maintenance, and repair settings, where they are exposed to various hazards. Hard hats protect against falling objects and head injuries, which are common risks in industrial settings. Safety goggles are vital for eye protection, shielding workers from debris, dust, and harmful substances that could cause serious eye injuries.

In contrast, while reflective vests, earplugs, knee pads, and high-visibility jackets provide their own forms of safety, they do not encompass the fundamental protective measures provided by hard hats and safety goggles, which are specifically designed to prevent head and eye injuries. This makes hard hats and safety goggles a priority in the protective gear lineup for boilermakers.