PPE Awareness: Selection, Fit & Inspection

Key Hazards

• Using the wrong PPE for the hazard
• Damaged, worn, dirty, or expired PPE
• Poor fit reducing protection or creating distractions
• Workers relying on PPE instead of controlling the hazard
• PPE removed too early or used inconsistently
• Contaminated PPE spreading chemicals, dust, or biological material

2–3 Minute Talk Script

PPE awareness starts with selecting personal protective equipment that matches the actual hazard. Eye protection, gloves, hearing protection, respirators, hard hats, footwear, high-visibility clothing, and fall protection each protect against different exposures and should not be treated as interchangeable.

PPE should be selected for the task and conditions. Workers should understand what protection is required before work begins and whether additional controls are needed to reduce or eliminate the hazard.

PPE should be inspected before use. Cracks, scratches, tears, contamination, missing parts, worn straps, damaged lenses, expired components, or other defects can reduce protection.

Fit matters. PPE that is too loose, too tight, poorly adjusted, fogged, uncomfortable, or incompatible with other equipment may not protect properly and can create distractions or interfere with the work.

Workers should understand the limitations of their PPE. Safety glasses do not replace goggles or face shields when greater splash or impact protection is needed, and gloves do not protect against every chemical, cut, heat, or electrical hazard.

PPE should be worn for the full duration of the exposure. Removing protection early during cleanup, adjustment, teardown, or a short follow-up task can expose workers while the hazard is still present.

Contaminated PPE should be cleaned, stored, replaced, or disposed of according to site procedures. Dust, chemicals, biological material, or other contaminants should not be carried into vehicles, break rooms, homes, or clean work areas.

Good PPE awareness means selecting the right equipment, checking its condition and fit, understanding what it can and cannot protect against, wearing it consistently, and replacing it when it no longer provides reliable protection.

Safety Reminders

• Choose PPE based on the hazard.
• Inspect PPE before use.
• Make sure PPE fits correctly.
• Wear PPE for the full exposure period.
• Understand what PPE does and does not protect against.
• Clean, store, or dispose of contaminated PPE properly.
• Replace damaged, worn, or expired PPE.

Ask the Crew

• What hazards require PPE for this task?
• Is the selected PPE correct for those hazards?
• Is the PPE clean, undamaged, and properly fitted?
• When can PPE be safely removed?
• How should contaminated PPE be handled?