Small Business Self-Evaluation Checklist: PPE

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to determine all exposures to hazards in their workplace and implement measures to protect their workers. When engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective, employers are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce employee exposure to hazards.

If PPE is to be used to reduce the exposure of employees to hazards, a PPE program should be implemented and maintained. This “Client Handout” provides small business owners a means of identifying potential problem areas with their PPE program. Any question answered “No” should be thoroughly investigated and corrective actions taken.

Questions	Yes	No	N/A
Is there a written safety program addressing PPE selection, maintenance, and use?
Are protective goggles or face shields provided and worn where there is any danger of flying particles or corrosive materials?
Are approved safety glasses required to be worn at all times in areas where there is a risk of eye injuries, such as punctures, abrasions, contusions, or burns?
Are protective goggles, aprons, or other means provided and required where employees could reasonably anticipate an exposure to corrosive liquids, chemicals, blood, or other potentially infectious materials?
Are hard hats provided, worn, and inspected periodically?
Is appropriate foot protection required where there is the risk of foot injuries from hot, corrosive, poisonous substances; falling objects; or crushing or penetrating actions?
Are approved respirators provided for regular or emergency use where needed?
Is all protective equipment maintained in a sanitary condition and ready for use?
Is there an eye wash facility and a quick drench shower within the work area where employees are exposed to injurious corrosive materials?
Is there a separate area for consuming food and beverages where there is no exposure to toxic materials, blood, or other potentially infectious materials?
Is protection against the effects of occupational noise exposure provided when sound levels exceed those of the OSHA noise standard?
Are adequate work procedures, protective clothing, and equipment provided and used when cleaning up spilled toxic or otherwise hazardous materials or liquids?
Are there appropriate procedures in place for disposing of or decontaminating personal protective equipment contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials?