What type of safety gear is typically required for hoisting equipment operators?

The requirement for safety gear for hoisting equipment operators is designed to protect against a variety of hazards associated with the operation of heavy machinery. The correct answer highlights that hard hats, gloves, and steel-toed boots are essential pieces of safety equipment.

Hard hats are crucial for protecting the head from potential falling objects or bumps while working on a construction site. Gloves provide hand protection and enhance grip on tools and equipment, which is particularly important when dealing with rigging and load handling. Steel-toed boots are essential for foot protection; they safeguard against heavy loads falling on the feet and also provide stability and traction, which are critical when moving around job sites that may have uneven surfaces.

In contrast, the other options either lack the comprehensive protection that is integral for operators or do not include multiple necessary gear items. Solely wearing steel-toed boots, reflective vests, or just work gloves and goggles would leave the operator vulnerable to numerous potential hazards that could occur on a job site. Therefore, the combination specified in the correct answer ensures a greater level of safety for hoisting equipment operators in various working environments.