OSHA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Training Requirements & Considerations

Training requirements for Personal Protective Equipment are addressed in Subpart I of OSHA 1910 - OSHA 1910.132

First, OSHA requires the employer to assess the workplace to determine which hazards are or are likely to be present which necessitate the use of PPE.  

Then, for those hazards identified, OSHA requires the employer to select the appropriate PPE.   

OSHA 1910.132(d)(1) states: "The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:

OSHA 1910.132(d)(1)(i) further states: "Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;

Then, OSHA outlines training requirements for PPE:

OSHA 1910.132(f) Training

OSHA 1910.132(f)(1) The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required to this section to use PPE.  Each employee shall be trained to know at least the following:

OSHA 1910.132(f)(1)(i) When PPE is necessary;

OSHA 1910.132 (f)(1)(ii) What PPE is necessary;

OSHA 1910.132 (f)(1)(iii) How to properly don, doff, adjust and wear PPE;

OSHA 1910.132 (f)(1)(iv) "The limitations of the PPE; and"

OSHA 1910.132 (f)(1)(v) "The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE."

It is not sufficient to simply provide instruction to employees, the employees must demonstrate an understanding of the training provided, as OSHA explains in OSHA 1910.132(f)(2): "Each affected employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, and the ability to use PPE properly, before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE."

And further, in OSHA 1910.132 (f)(3), OSHA states: "When the employer has reason to believe that any affected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill required by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the employer shall retrain each such employee.  Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not limited to, situations where:"

OSHA 1910.132 (f)(3)(i) "Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete; or"

OSHA 1910.132 (f)(3)(ii) "Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete; or"

OSHA 1910.132 (f)(3)(iii) "Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill."

Then, in OSHA 1910.132 (f)(4), written documentation requirements are stated: "The employer shall verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of training, and that identifies the subject of the certification."

In summary, according to OSHA, the employer must

1. Assess the workplace
2. Select the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
3. Train employees
4. Verify effectiveness of the training
5. Observe for factors that may require retraining
6. Provide documentation

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may include eye and face protection, respiratory protection, head protection, foot protection, electrical protective devices, hand protection, etc.