Online Training
According to a letter of interpretation (2/4/09) about online training, OSHA states that an employer may not rely solely on the use of an online or video training program when training the use of PPE.
According to OSHA, the trainee must be able to "don, doff, touch, feel and otherwise manipulate a particular piece of personal protective equipment that an employer may require or provide to protect their employees to prevent injury or illness." In addition to the online training, PPE training must also include a hands-on portion so that the employee can practice using the PPE.
Retraining Requirements
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 the PPE standard, the employer must retrain the employee. Reasons for retraining include, but are not limited to:
- Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete.
- Changes in the types of PPE used render previous training obsolete.
- Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the needed understanding or skill.
Conducting Training
Who will be conducting the training is a very important question. Whoever the person training PPE is, he or she needs to be an expert who not only understands how to use PPE correctly, but has a thorough understanding of the importance of doing so. It's critical that the employee understands the importance of wearing PPE, not only for their safety, but their "continuing employment."
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-7. Which circumstance below might require personal protective equipment retraining?
You forgot to answer the question!