Use the correct size and make every adjustment provided by the manufacturer.
Level 1 · Free · Self-paced
PPE Awareness
Learn what personal protective equipment can and cannot do, how it should be selected, and what you need to check before every use.
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Training boundary
This is awareness training. It does not authorize you to select PPE for a workplace, carry out respirator fit testing, approve fall protection, or perform work that requires practical competence. Follow the law, risk assessment, manufacturer instructions and approved rules for your site. Stop and ask a competent person when the required protection is unclear.
The role of PPE
Personal protective equipment is equipment worn or held to reduce a worker's exposure to one or more hazards. Examples include safety helmets, eye protection, gloves, safety footwear, hearing protection and respiratory protective equipment.
PPE sits at the bottom of the hierarchy of controls. You should first ask whether the hazard can be removed, replaced, isolated or controlled through safer equipment and work methods. PPE is used for risk that remains after those measures, or as part of a planned combination of controls.
Why PPE is the last line of protection
It protects the wearer rather than everyone exposed to the hazard.
Its performance depends on correct selection, fit and use.
Damage, poor storage, contamination or the wrong size can reduce protection.
It does not remove the hazard from the workplace.
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Never use PPE as a reason to ignore a missing guard, failed ventilation system, unsafe lifting plan or uncontrolled source of energy.
Try itA bench saw's blade guard is broken and the replacement won't arrive for a week. The supervisor suggests issuing cut-resistant gloves so work can continue. What's wrong with that?
Gloves protect only the wearer, only if they're the right ones worn correctly, and no glove stops a saw blade. They don't replace the missing guard.
Right. PPE is for the risk that remains after other controls, never a reason to ignore a missing guard.
Visibility doesn't change what the gloves can do against a running blade. The hazard is still uncontrolled.
Source basis: HSE describes PPE as the last resort in the hierarchy of controls. EU Directive 89/656/EEC requires PPE when collective protection and work organization do not sufficiently avoid or limit the risk.
Match PPE to the hazard
PPE selection starts with the risk assessment. The person responsible for the assessment must identify the hazard, the route of exposure, the likely level and duration of exposure, the task conditions and the people who will wear the equipment.
Examples of hazard and protection
PPE is generally organized into categories by the part of the body or the hazard it addresses. Each category still requires its own selection by a competent person against the specific hazard, not just the general category:
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Head protection
Falling objects, structural impacts, overhead low clearance, electrical contact
Hard hats (Type I & II), bump caps, industrial safety helmets
Eye & face protection
Flying debris, chemical splashes, intense light or radiation, dust
Safety glasses with side shields, chemical splash goggles, face shields, welding helmets
Hearing protection
Extreme decibel noise, continuous machinery noise, impact sound
Single-use foam earplugs, reusable silicone earplugs, noise-cancelling earmuffs
Respiratory protection
Airborne dust, toxic fumes, hazardous vapours, low-oxygen areas
N95 filtering facepieces, half/full-face elastomeric respirators, PAPRs, SCBA units
Hand & arm protection
Cuts, chemical burns, extreme heat, electrical shock, abrasions
Cut-resistant Kevlar gloves, nitrile chemical gloves, welding gauntlets, rubber insulating sleeves
Foot & leg protection
Heavy falling objects, punctures, slippery surfaces, electrical arc
Steel-toe boots, metatarsal guards, puncture-resistant soles, dielectric boots
Body protection
Chemical splashes, extreme heat, biological hazards, low-visibility areas
High-visibility vests, chemical hazmat suits, flame-resistant (FR) coveralls, aprons
Fall protection
Elevated height hazards, fall hazards from ladders or platforms
Full-body harnesses, shock-absorbing lanyards, self-retracting lifelines (SRLs), anchorage connectors
Colour, price and appearance do not show whether an item is suitable. Check the risk assessment, required protection level, product marking, manufacturer instructions and local legal requirements.
Hazard
Protection to select
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Employer responsibilities: what must be communicated before use
Selecting suitable PPE is only the first step. Before any worker, especially a new hire, uses PPE, the employer must make sure they understand:
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When and why PPE is needed
The specific tasks, work zones or exposure conditions that require it, for example "safety glasses are mandatory within 10 feet of the CNC machine."
Selection and fit
Which item matches each hazard, fitted to the individual worker without creating a secondary hazard.
Proper usage
Hands-on instruction on how to correctly put on (don), adjust, wear and take off (doff) the equipment.
Limitations of the equipment
What the gear cannot do, for example that standard safety glasses do not protect against chemical vapours, or that an unrated hard hat cannot withstand a high-voltage strike.
Inspection protocol
How to inspect the item for damage, wear or degradation before every shift.
Maintenance, storage and replacement
The approved cleaning method, safe storage conditions (for example, keeping hard hats out of direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation), and the process for getting an immediate replacement for damaged gear.
Personal protective equipment vs. collective protective equipment (CPE)
PPE is not the only category of protective equipment, and it is not the first one to reach for. Collective protective equipment (CPE) protects everyone in an area at once, and normally comes ahead of PPE in the hierarchy of controls:
| Feature | CPE (collective protective equipment) | PPE (personal protective equipment) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it protects | The entire team or work area simultaneously | The individual person wearing the gear |
| Safety priority level | First line of defence: higher priority in risk control | Last line of defence: used when collective measures aren't enough |
| Worker effort required | Passive: works automatically once installed, no action needed by workers | Active: requires individual action such as proper fitting, wearing, inspecting and maintenance |
| Primary goal | Isolate, enclose or remove the hazard from the environment | Shield the individual worker from exposure to remaining hazards |
| Common examples | Guardrails, safety nets, fume hoods, machine guards, noise barriers | Hard hats, safety glasses, respirators, earplugs, steel-toe boots |
Because CPE protects everyone without depending on any one worker doing something correctly, it is normally put in place before PPE is considered, in line with the hierarchy of controls covered in Lesson 1. PPE is what remains to protect the individual once collective measures are in place and some risk still remains.
Stop point
If you cannot identify the hazard or confirm that the PPE protects against it, do not guess. Stop and ask the supervisor or competent person responsible for the assessment.
Source basis: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 requires a workplace hazard assessment, suitable PPE selection, communication of that selection and proper fit. HSE also requires PPE to be assessed before use and fit for purpose.
Fit and compatibility
PPE must fit the individual wearer. Equipment that slips, creates pressure points, blocks vision or prevents normal movement may fail to protect the person and may create another hazard.
Check the fit
Check that the item stays in place during the movements needed for the task.
Confirm that the wearer can see, hear, communicate and work without unsafe restriction.
Report discomfort, skin reaction or any health issue that may affect safe use.
Check items worn together
Several items may be suitable on their own but fail when combined. Safety glasses can break the seal of tight-fitting respiratory protection. A helmet may interfere with earmuffs. A face shield may not provide the eye protection required underneath it. The assessment must confirm that all items remain effective when worn together.
Try itA worker needs a tight-fitting half-mask respirator and prescription safety glasses for the same job. After putting both on, the mask doesn't sit flush where the glasses' arms cross the seal. What now?
Over-tightening doesn't fix a gap where the glasses' arms cross the seal, and it creates pressure points the wearer will loosen later.
Right. Items that work on their own can fail together. Tight-fitting RPE depends on the seal, and that may also need a formal face-fit test.
That swaps one exposure for another: the worker can't see properly and loses eye protection. The fix is a compatible combination, not dropping an item.
Tight-fitting respiratory protection may require a formal face-fit test and other programme controls under the applicable rules. This online course cannot provide that test or confirm a person's fitness to use respiratory equipment.
Source basis: EU Directive 89/656/EEC requires PPE to fit the wearer and requires simultaneous items to remain compatible and effective. OSHA also requires properly fitting PPE.
Check, use and care
Inspect PPE before use. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and the site's approved check. The details vary by equipment, but the same basic discipline applies.
Before use
Confirm that the item is the one specified for the task.
Check the condition of shells, lenses, straps, seals, buckles, filters, stitching and other safety-critical parts.
Check any expiry, inspection or replacement date that applies.
Put it on, adjust it and complete any user seal check required by the instructions.
Inspecting specific items
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Helmets and hard hats
Check the outer shell for cracks, dents or UV discolouration. Check the internal suspension for straps that are frayed, torn or snapped, and confirm the ratcheting or adjustment system holds securely.
Safety glasses and eye protection
Check lenses for heavy scratches or cracks that impair vision or weaken impact resistance. Check frames and side shields for structural damage, and confirm over-the-glass (OTG) protection fits properly over prescription glasses.
Gloves
Check for tears, punctures, thinning or chemical degradation such as swelling, stiffening or discolouration. Check seams and cuffs for separation, and confirm the glove type still matches the task and has not passed any manufacturer-specified service life.
Safety footwear
Check soles for wear, cracking or delamination, and confirm slip-resistant treads are not worn smooth. Check the toe cap for cracks or exposed metal, and check the upper for punctures or splitting.
Hearing protection
For earplugs, check for hardening, tearing or loss of shape that would prevent a proper seal. For earmuffs, check the cushion seals for cracks or hardening and the headband for tension and damage.
Respiratory protection
Check the facepiece for cracks or deformation, straps for elasticity, and inhalation and exhalation valves for damage or debris. Confirm the filter or cartridge is within its service life and undamaged, and complete the user seal check required for tight-fitting respirators.
After use
Clean or decontaminate it using the approved method.
Store it where it is protected from damage, dirt, sunlight, moisture and chemicals as required by the manufacturer.
Report loss, contamination, damage or poor fit promptly.
Remove defective equipment from use. Do not repair or modify it unless the approved instructions allow the work and the person is authorized to do it.
A worker finds a deep crack in a helmet shell before entering the work area. The correct action is to remove it from use, report the defect and obtain an approved replacement. Wearing it because the task is short is not an acceptable control.
Essential checklist for new employees
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Never skip the pre-shift inspection
Check every piece of equipment for physical damage before putting it on.
Know the replacement process
If your gear is cracked, worn out or damaged, stop work and report it immediately. Never use compromised safety gear.
Ensure a proper fit
Ill-fitting gear fails to protect. Adjust straps, headbands and nosepieces so equipment fits snugly without causing severe discomfort.
Store gear correctly
Avoid leaving PPE in extreme heat, direct sunlight or dirty spaces. Keep it clean and stored in a designated bag, locker or rack.
Follow the rules consistently
Wear required PPE at all times in designated areas, even for a "quick" task. Most incidents happen during short, routine actions where gear was bypassed.
Source basis: OSHA prohibits the use of defective or damaged PPE. HSE requires PPE to be maintained, stored properly and used correctly, with information, instruction and training for the worker.
Official references
Final assessment
The assessment has ten questions. A verified learner must complete all lessons and score at least 80%. A certificate confirms completion and the recorded knowledge score. It does not certify practical competence or authorize PPE selection.
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