According to OSHA, there are four major actions needed to adhere to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards and provide a safe workplace.
OSHA’s PPE Standard (29 CFR 1910.132 for General Industry) is typically the primary regulation governing any PPE or industrial safety supply program. General requirements of the PPE standard cover four major steps: (1) assessment, (2) selection, (3) training, and (4) verification.
Assessment
The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Assessment is probably is most important step in meeting PPE and industrial safety supply compliance because it is here that a safety program is built.
Selection
Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE and industrial safety supplies that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment; communicate these decisions to the employees; and make sure the PPE properly fits each user.
Training
The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required to use PPE. Each of these employees should be trained to know when and what PPE is necessary, how to properly fit and wear the PPE, the limitations of the PPE, and how to properly care for the PPE.
Verification
The employer should verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required PPE and industrial safety supply training through a written certification.
