OSHA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA's PPE standard, who is generally responsible for paying for required PPE?
- The employee
- The employer (Correct answer)
- The equipment manufacturer
- The OSHA inspector
Correct answer: The employer
OSHA requires employers to provide most required PPE at no cost to employees.
Question 2: What must an employer conduct to determine which PPE is needed at a workplace?
- A hazard assessment (Correct answer)
- An annual audit
- A payroll review
- A marketing survey
Correct answer: A hazard assessment
OSHA requires a workplace hazard assessment to identify hazards and select appropriate PPE.
Question 3: Which type of PPE is NOT typically required to be paid for by the employer?
- Face shields
- Hard hats
- Everyday prescription safety glasses worn off-site (Correct answer)
- Chemical gloves
Correct answer: Everyday prescription safety glasses worn off-site
Non-specialty prescription eyewear and ordinary clothing worn off the job are exceptions employers need not pay for.
Question 4: When must the employer verify that PPE training occurred?
- Verbally only
- Through a written certification of training (Correct answer)
- By posting a sign
- Verification is not required
Correct answer: Through a written certification of training
OSHA requires a written certification identifying the employee trained and the date of training.
Question 5: If a worker provides their own PPE, what remains the employer's duty?
- Nothing further
- Ensuring the PPE is adequate and properly maintained (Correct answer)
- Refunding the worker
- Banning personal PPE
Correct answer: Ensuring the PPE is adequate and properly maintained
Even with employee-owned PPE, the employer must ensure it is adequate, maintained, and sanitary.
Question 6: What should happen to PPE that is defective or damaged?
- Continue using it carefully
- Remove it from service and replace it (Correct answer)
- Tape over the damage
- Use it only for light tasks
Correct answer: Remove it from service and replace it
Defective or damaged PPE must not be used and should be replaced.
Question 7: PPE is considered which level in the hierarchy of hazard controls?
- The first line of defense
- The most reliable control
- The last line of defense (Correct answer)
- Not a control method
Correct answer: The last line of defense
PPE is the last line of defense, used when engineering and administrative controls cannot fully eliminate hazards.
OSHA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2
Under OSHA's PPE standard, who is generally responsible for paying for required PPE?