In most workplaces, the primary responsibility for ensuring workers know how and when to use PPE lies with the employer. However, there are clear roles for employees and oversight bodies as well. Below is a concise breakdown of typical responsibilities and how they interact. Who is primarily responsible
- Employers: Develop and implement a PPE program, perform hazard assessments, select appropriate PPE, provide it to workers, and train them on when, why, and how to use it. They must ensure proper use, maintenance, and replacement, and document training. This is mandated by occupational safety laws and standards in many jurisdictions.
- Employees: Use the PPE as trained, participate in training, report issues or damage, and maintain PPE according to instructions. They bear responsibility for following safety protocols and informing supervisors about needed repairs or replacements.
- Regulators and standards bodies: Provide the legal framework, minimum training requirements, and oversight through inspections and guidance. Examples include national health and safety administrations and workplace safety agencies.
Key training expectations for PPE
- Training content: When PPE is necessary, what type is required, how to properly don, doff, adjust, wear, and remove it, and how to maintain it. Training must be provided before PPE use and updated when changes occur. Documentation of the training is typically required.
- Hazard assessment: Employers should identify hazards and determine whether PPE is needed, selecting appropriate equipment accordingly.
- Ongoing reinforcement: PPE programs should be reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the workplace, equipment, or regulations.
Practical implications
- In practice, a compliant PPE program often includes a formal hazard assessment, selection of PPE, training records, ongoing supervision and enforcement of proper use, and regular PPE maintenance and replacement.
- Employers should ensure workers have access to appropriate PPE and understand the obligations for its use; workers should actively participate in training and follow the program.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific jurisdiction (for example, OSHA-regulated workplaces in the United States or a particular country’s regulations) and provide citations to the exact governing standards.
