PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TOOLBOX TALK
Select suitable PPE, use it correctly and replace damaged equipment before work.
Hazards, correct use and daily pre-work verification.
Toolbox Topic
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TOOLBOX TALK
Duration
8–10 MINUTES
Date
Site / Area
Supervisor
Company
Participants
Document No
OBJECTIVE
Ensure that personal protective equipment is suitable for the task and hazards, inspected before use, fitted correctly, maintained properly and removed from service when damaged or unsuitable.
TOPIC EXPLANATION
PPE does not eliminate hazards and must not replace engineering or collective controls. It is the final line of defence between the worker and the hazard when other controls cannot fully remove the risk.
Not every type of PPE is suitable for every task. Gloves, eye protection, face shields, hearing protection, respirators, helmets and footwear must be selected according to the specific chemical, impact, noise or exposure hazard.
PPE must be inspected before each use, fit the wearer correctly and be adjusted properly. A cracked helmet, scratched eyewear, torn gloves or expired filter will not provide effective protection.
REALISTIC SITE SCENARIO
A worker used standard safety glasses for grinding but did not wear a face shield. The lenses were also heavily scratched.
A fragment from the grinding disc passed around the edge of the glasses and struck the worker's face.
The incident could have been prevented by selecting suitable eye and face protection, completing a pre-use inspection and replacing damaged PPE.
REMEMBER
Simply wearing PPE is not enough. Protection depends on correct selection, good condition, proper fit and correct use.
KEY HAZARDS
PPE unsuitable for the task or hazard.
Damaged, cracked, torn or contaminated PPE.
Incorrect size or poor adjustment.
Helmet chin strap left open where required.
Respirator fitted with the wrong filter.
Gloves incompatible with the chemical used.
Missing eye or face protection.
No hearing protection in high-noise areas.
CONTROL MEASURES
Select PPE according to the risk assessment.
Inspect PPE visually before every use.
Replace damaged or unsuitable PPE immediately.
Use the correct size and adjust PPE properly.
Secure helmet chin straps where required.
Verify respirator filter type and service life.
Select chemical gloves using SDS information.
Store PPE in a clean, dry and protected area.
Clean shared PPE before use.
Follow PPE training and manufacturer instructions.
SUPERVISOR TALKING SCRIPT
Team, today we will not wear PPE simply to meet a rule. We will confirm that each item is suitable for the task, free from damage, clean and correctly adjusted. We will not work with cracked helmets, scratched eyewear, torn gloves or unsuitable filters. PPE is the final line of defence and must be selected and used correctly.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Which PPE is mandatory for today's task?
Has all PPE been inspected before use?
Are the selected gloves suitable for the task?
Is eye or face protection adequate?
Is the respirator filter type and service life suitable?
What action will be taken if damaged PPE is found?
VERIFY BEFORE STARTING TODAY
Helmet intact
Chin strap suitable
Eyewear clean
Face shield ready
Gloves suitable
Footwear intact
Hearing protection ready
Respirator/filter suitable
PPE fits correctly
Team briefed
ATTENDANCE AND APPROVAL
Project / Site
Date
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Attendance and Signature
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Supervisor Signature
HSE Approval
SERNEM HSE Resource — Risk assessments, manufacturer instructions and site PPE procedures take priority.