Personal Protective Equipment — General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.95)
PPE violations cover the requirement for employers to assess workplace hazards and provide appropriate protective equipment. 29 CFR 1926.95 requires a written hazard assessment and PPE selection for each job task.
What 29 CFR 1926.95 Requires
PPE requirements under Subpart E start with a hazard assessment — the employer must evaluate the workplace to determine what protective equipment is needed. This written assessment is the foundation for all PPE requirements and is the most commonly missing document during inspections:
- Written hazard assessment to determine PPE requirements for each job task
- PPE must be provided at no cost to employees
- PPE must properly fit each affected employee
- Training on when PPE is necessary, what type, and how to use, maintain, and dispose of it
- Defective or damaged PPE must be removed from service
- Certification of hazard assessment must be documented in writing
Most Common Violations
PPE violations are among the most preventable OSHA citations. Most result from either a missing hazard assessment document or workers simply not wearing required equipment. These are visible violations that inspectors identify within minutes of arriving on site:
- No written hazard assessment documentation
- Workers not wearing required PPE (hard hats, safety glasses, gloves)
- PPE that does not properly fit the worker
- Missing training records on PPE use and limitations
- Damaged PPE still in use without replacement
- No certification that hazard assessment was performed
Penalty Exposure
Penalty range: $1,190–$16,550 per serious violation; up to $165,514 per willful violation
PPE citations are typically classified as serious violations, with penalties up to $16,550 per violation in 2026. The written hazard assessment is a single-document requirement — its absence can generate a citation that applies site-wide. When multiple workers lack required PPE, OSHA may issue per-instance citations for each unprotected worker.
The good news is that PPE documentation is straightforward to create and maintain. A certified hazard assessment plus training records can prevent the most common PPE citations entirely.
Documentation You Need
PPE documentation is one of the most straightforward compliance areas — but it must be done formally. A verbal assessment is not sufficient. The written hazard assessment must be certified with a signature and date:
- Written hazard assessment for each work area or job task
- Certification document with workplace evaluated, person certifying, and date
- PPE selection rationale based on identified hazards
- Training records covering PPE use, care, limitations, and disposal
- PPE inspection and replacement logs
- Retraining documentation when workplace conditions change
What Inspectors Look For
During an OSHA inspection, PPE compliance is one of the fastest things to assess — inspectors can see whether workers are wearing hard hats and safety glasses from a distance. The document review focuses on the hazard assessment:
- Written hazard assessment — the certification document is specifically required
- Workers wearing appropriate PPE for their tasks during the walkaround
- Training records that match the PPE being used on site
- Condition of PPE in use — cracked hard hats, scratched safety glasses
- PPE fit — one size does not fit all
- Employee knowledge of why specific PPE is required for their task
Get Your PPE Hazard Assessment Documented Today
The OSHA Defense Documentation System includes hazard assessment templates, training documentation forms, and PPE-specific items in the pre-inspection checklist covering Subpart E requirements.
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