OSHA - Safety Certificate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, what is the first step an employer must take before providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to employees?

Accepted Answer

Perform a written certification of a workplace hazard assessment.

Answer

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.132(d) requires employers to first assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present that necessitate the use of PPE. The employer must then verify that this assessment has been performed through a written certification. This assessment is fundamental to selecting the correct PPE.

Question 2

An employee works in an area with flying debris. They wear their personal prescription eyeglasses for vision correction. Under OSHA's eye protection standard (29 CFR 1910.133), what is the employer's responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the employee uses protection that incorporates the prescription or fits over the glasses.

Answer

OSHA's standard 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(3) states that employers must ensure employees who wear prescription lenses use eye protection that either incorporates the prescription in its design or is designed to be worn over the prescription lenses. Standard prescription eyeglasses are not considered adequate eye protection.

Question 3

An employer provides all required PPE to their employees at no cost. However, an employee loses their company-issued safety gloves. According to OSHA's rules on payment for PPE, what is the employer's obligation for replacement?

Accepted Answer

The employer is not required to pay for replacement PPE if the employee lost it.

Answer

OSHA's standard on payment for protective equipment [29 CFR 1910.132(h)] requires employers to pay for replacement PPE, *except* when the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE.

Question 4

A landscaping company has hired several new workers who will be operating noisy equipment like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, requiring the use of hearing protection. Which of the following is NOT a required topic for the employer to cover in PPE training for these employees?

Accepted Answer

The specific decibel reduction rating of each brand of equipment.

Answer

According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(f), employee training must cover when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to properly use it, the limitations of the PPE, and its proper care and maintenance. While understanding that the PPE is adequate for the noise level is important, training on the specific decibel rating of every brand is not a mandated training element, but rather part of the employer's hazard assessment and PPE selection process.

Question 5

Under OSHA's general requirements for Personal Protective Equipment [29 CFR 1910.132(a)], PPE should be used to protect employees when:

Accepted Answer

Engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection.

Answer

OSHA's regulations and the hierarchy of controls establish that PPE is to be used after engineering and administrative controls have been considered and implemented but are not feasible or sufficient to eliminate the hazard. PPE is considered the last line of defense, not the first.

OSHA Safety Certificate Practice Test

OSHA Safety Certificate Practice Test

OSHA - Safety Certificate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Questions and Answers