What subjects must be trained?
According to the standard, to meet the minimum training requirements, each employee receiving PPE training must be trained to know at least the following:
- when PPE is necessary
- what PPE is necessary
- how to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
- the limitations of the PPE
- the proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE
Employees must be trained to effectively use the PPE the employer has provided. Photo courtesy of Honeywell Safety Products, Manufacturer of Miller fall protection products.
So far, we meet minimum OSHA requirements... but one very important element is missing:
- the PPE standard does not specifically require education on "why" PPE is necessary
Why is this element so important? Because study after study tells us the most common reason employees don't follow rules in the workplace is because they don't know why the rules are important.
Teaching what, when, and how to use PPE, and its limitations increase knowledge and skill.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-2. According to the standard, which of the following topics must be included in the minimum Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training for employees?
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