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709 Personal Protective Equipment
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Training Topics

According to the standard, to meet the minimum training requirements, each employee receiving PPE training must be trained to know at least the following:

The PPE standard does not specifically require instruction on why PPE is necessary.
  1. When PPE is necessary.
  2. What PPE is necessary.
  3. How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE.
  4. The limitations of the PPE.
  5. The proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE.

So far, by presenting these topics, we've met the minimum OSHA-specified PPE training requirements. But, one very important topic is missing: The PPE standard does not specifically require instruction on why PPE is necessary.

So, why is this missing topic so important? Research shows us the most common reason employees don't wear PPE or follow safety rules in the workplace is because they don't know why the rules are important.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-2. What is the most common reason employees don't comply with PPE safety rules?