PPE — Hazard Assessment and Selection

Talking points

1. Your employer must conduct a written hazard assessment for each work area and task to determine what PPE is required. This is not optional.
2. As of January 2025, all PPE in construction must properly fit each worker — the days of one-size-fits-all are over. Harnesses, gloves, eye protection, and more must be individually sized.
3. PPE is the last line of defense, not the first. Engineering and administrative controls should reduce the hazard before PPE is relied upon.
4. Your employer must pay for most required PPE. Exceptions include prescription safety glasses, everyday steel-toed boots (if allowed for personal use), and weather gear.
5. Inspect your PPE before every use. Damaged PPE provides a false sense of security — it may fail exactly when you need it most.

Ask the crew

Does all of your PPE fit properly right now — or is anything too loose, too tight, or uncomfortable enough that you avoid wearing it?

Standards this talk is built on

• 29 CFR 1926.95
• 29 CFR 1910.132

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

Sign-in sheet

Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.

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