• The PPE program required of employers covered under 29 CFR 1910.120 or 1926.65 must address topics including selection, use, and maintenance of PPE and CPC.

Employers whose employees will be exposed or have the potential to be exposed to hazardous substances are required to have a personal protective equipment (PPE) program. The purpose of the program is twofold:

• To provide protection from any chemical, physical, or biological hazards; and
• To ensure workers know how to wear their protective equipment and clothing properly so they are not harmed from improper use or malfunction.

The PPE program should be in writing and be available to all employees. Some topics that must be addressed in the PPE program include:

• Identification of hazards;
• Uses and limitations of the PPE and chemical protective clothing (CPC) provided;
• Proper selection of equipment and clothing;
• Medical monitoring of personnel;
• Environmental surveillance;
• Proper use, inspection, and maintenance of equipment and clothing;
• Decontamination methods for PPE and CPC;
• Training for employees, including hands-on training; and
• Proper donning and doffing procedures.

Another requirement of a PPE program is for the employer to review the program annually to evaluate its effectiveness. The review should be comprehensive and analyze aspects including:

• Compliance with regulations;
• Time workers spent wearing PPE;
• Accidents or illnesses;
• Adequacy of programs for:
  • Equipment selection,
  • Use,
  • Inspection,
  • Maintenance,
  • Decontamination, and
  • Storage; and
• Effectiveness of employee training.

The review of the PPE program should also be made available to all employees and should be used to assess if any changes are needed to improve upon the effectiveness of the program.