Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Selection, Use, and Maintenance

Date: 2026-01-12

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

To ensure all personnel understand the proper selection, use, maintenance, and inspection of PPE to maintain a safe working environment and comply with safety regulations.

Introduction

This toolbox talk covers the critical aspects of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including proper selection, use, maintenance, and inspection. PPE is essential for protecting employees from workplace hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not sufficient. Understanding these aspects ensures a safer work environment and compliance with safety regulations.

Key Points

Proper Selection of PPE: Selecting the right PPE for the task is crucial. Consider the specific hazards involved and choose PPE that provides adequate protection. Refer to hazard assessments and safety data sheets (SDS) to guide your selection.
Correct Use of PPE: PPE must be worn correctly to provide the intended protection. Ensure that PPE fits properly and is adjusted as needed. Follow manufacturer's instructions for proper use.
Maintenance of PPE: Regular maintenance is essential to ensure PPE remains effective. Clean and inspect PPE regularly, and repair or replace damaged items. Store PPE properly when not in use.
Inspection of PPE: Inspect PPE before each use to identify any defects or damage. Check for cracks, tears, or other signs of wear. Replace PPE immediately if it is damaged or no longer provides adequate protection.
Employer Responsibilities: Employers are responsible for providing appropriate PPE at no cost to employees and ensuring that employees are trained on its proper use and maintenance. Employers should conduct hazard assessments to determine if employees need PPE. OAR 437-002-0134(1) requires a written document that certifies that the workplace has been evaluated, the dates of the hazard assessment, and who performed the evaluation. Hazard assessments should be re-evaluated whenever there are changes to equipment, processes, or chemicals in the workplace.
Employee Responsibilities: Employees are responsible for wearing PPE as prescribed by the MIOSHA rules. An employee shall wear PPE when prescribed by the MIOSHA rules.

Hazard Identification

Identifying potential hazards in the workplace is the first step in ensuring proper PPE selection and use. A hazard assessment should be conducted to determine the specific risks employees may face.

Falling or overhead objects: Head injuries, concussions, or even fatal injuries. (Risk: High)
Flying particles or dust: Eye injuries, irritation, or vision impairment. (Risk: Medium)
Chemical splashes: Skin burns, eye damage, or respiratory issues. (Risk: High)
Crushing or rolling objects: Foot injuries, fractures, or amputation. (Risk: Medium)
Excessive noise levels: Hearing loss or tinnitus. (Risk: Medium)

Control Measures

Conduct a Hazard Assessment: Perform a thorough hazard assessment to identify potential hazards in the workplace. This assessment should be documented and re-evaluated whenever changes occur in equipment, processes, or chemicals. OAR 437-002-0134(1) requires a written document that certifies that the workplace has been evaluated, the dates of the hazard assessment, and who performed the evaluation.
Select Appropriate PPE: Choose PPE that is appropriate for the identified hazards. Consider factors such as impact resistance, chemical resistance, and visibility. Ensure PPE fits properly and is comfortable for the employee to wear.
Provide Training on PPE Use and Care: Train employees on how to properly use, adjust, wear, and remove PPE. Training should also cover the limitations of PPE, proper care, maintenance, and when to replace worn-out PPE. Although not required, employers should keep a record of employees who receive PPE training. The record should document the worker's name, the type of training, and the training date.
Regular Inspection and Maintenance: Establish a routine for inspecting PPE before each use. Clean and maintain PPE according to the manufacturer's instructions. Replace damaged or worn PPE immediately.
Enforce PPE Use: Supervisors should enforce the use of required PPE and ensure that employees are following safety protocols. Regularly monitor work areas to ensure compliance.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Hard Hats: Required when there is a risk of falling objects or head impact. Ensure the hard hat fits properly and is not damaged. Physically altered, painted, or damaged hard hats shall not be worn. Wear hard hat brim forward. Do not ware baseball hats underneath.
Safety Glasses and Face Shields: Use safety glasses with side shields or goggles when there is a risk of flying particles, dust, or chemical splashes. Use face shields to protect face from particles, chemicals Face shields do not protect eyes from flying object high impacts, must use Z87.1 safety glasses underneath. Z87.1 safety glasses shall be used where a hazard exists from flying objects or particles, harmful contacts, such as when using power tools, hammers, and working over head.
Gloves: Select gloves based on the specific hazards, such as chemicals, cuts, or extreme temperatures. Ensure gloves fit properly and are free from defects. When working with chemicals or corrosives, are employees using the proper type of glove as stated on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
Safety Shoes or Boots: Wear safety shoes or boots with toe protection when there is a risk of falling or crushing objects. Ensure footwear is sturdy with nonskid soles. ANSI Z41-1999 or ASTM 2412 & 2413 certified footwear must be worn. Toe Protection where crushing hazard exists.
Hearing Protection: Use earplugs or earmuffs in areas with high noise levels. Ensure hearing protection fits properly and is worn consistently. If one or more employees are exposed to sound levels greater than 85 dBA over an eight hour period, has a written hearing conservation program compliant with 29 CFR 1910.95 been implemented?

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

What types of PPE are most commonly used in our work area?
What are some potential consequences of not using PPE correctly?
How can we improve our PPE program to ensure better safety?

Emergency Procedures

In case of an incident involving PPE failure, immediately stop work and assess the situation.
Report the incident to your supervisor and seek medical attention if necessary.
Replace the damaged PPE before resuming work.

Questions and Answers

Q: What should I do if my PPE is damaged?

A: Immediately stop using the PPE and report the damage to your supervisor. Replace the PPE before continuing work.

Q: How often should I inspect my PPE?

A: Inspect your PPE before each use to ensure it is in good condition and provides adequate protection.

Q: Where can I find information on the proper PPE for a specific task?

A: Refer to the hazard assessment for the task, safety data sheets (SDS), and consult with your supervisor or safety department.

Summary

Recap of main points:

Proper selection, use, and maintenance of PPE are critical for workplace safety.
Regularly inspect PPE for damage and replace it as needed.
Follow manufacturer's instructions and company policies regarding PPE.
Report any PPE-related concerns to your supervisor.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.