PPE Basics
General info only. These talks don't replace your company's safety program, your site rules, or OSHA rules. Follow those first, and ask your safety lead if something here doesn't match.
Start here
PPE is the last thing between you and the hazard. It only works if it's the right gear, it fits, and you actually wear it.
Key points
- Hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, high-vis, and boots are the start on most sites. Your task may need more.
- Check your gear every day. Cracked hard hats, scratched glasses, and torn gloves need to be swapped out.
- Pick gloves for the job: cut, chemical, or electrical. One glove does not fit every task.
- Hearing protection matters if you have to raise your voice to talk to someone an arm's length away.
- Face shields go over safety glasses, not instead of them.
- If your gear doesn't fit or gets in the way, tell your foreman. Gear that fits gets worn.
- Keep your gear clean and stored out of the sun when you can.
Bottom line: Look at the person next to you. If something is missing, say something.
Talk it over
- What task today needs more than the basic PPE?
- When was the last time you checked your hard hat for cracks?
- Is anyone's gear worn out or not fitting right?
Before you wrap up: have everyone sign the sign-in sheet, write today's date and the topic, and note any questions or hazards the crew brought up. Need a sheet? Use the free toolbox talk template.
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