TL;DR
This PPE toolbox talk explains why personal protective equipment is the last line of defense: it only protects you when the hazard can't be removed or controlled another way, and only if it's the right type, fits and is worn correctly. Crews learn to question tasks that rely on PPE alone.
This PPE toolbox talk sets up every other PPE talk you'll run. It's for any crew that wears gloves, glasses, hearing protection, respirators or hard hats as part of the job. It takes about five minutes. The crew should leave understanding where PPE fits in the bigger picture, and feeling able to ask "could we make this job safer another way?"
Why does the PPE hierarchy matter?
NIOSH's hierarchy of controls ranks ways of dealing with a hazard by how well they generally work: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE. NIOSH states that employers should not rely on PPE alone when other effective control options are available.
The reason is simple. PPE doesn't change the hazard; it puts a thin barrier between you and it, and that barrier depends on people choosing it, fitting it and wearing it every time. CCOHS describes PPE as the last level of protection when all other methods are not available or possible.
In the US, OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to assess hazards, select PPE that properly fits each worker and train workers in its use and limits. It also says defective or damaged PPE must not be used.
Talking points for your PPE toolbox talk
- Remove the hazard first. Can the task be eliminated, the chemical swapped for something less harmful, or the machine guarded or enclosed? Those fixes protect everyone, all the time.
- PPE has to be the right type. Dust masks don't stop vapors, and cut gloves don't stop chemicals. Each piece of PPE is chosen for a specific hazard.
- Fit decides whether it works. Gloves that are too big, glasses with gaps or a respirator that doesn't seal give you false confidence. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't protect.
- Know what each task needs. Check the job sheet, signs or risk assessment before you start. If you're not sure what's required, ask before you begin, not halfway through.
- Inspect it and report it. Look for cracks, holes, worn straps and expired filters. Damaged, uncomfortable or poorly fitting PPE should be reported and replaced, not tolerated.
- PPE is not permission. Wearing PPE doesn't make an uncontrolled hazard acceptable. If a guard is missing or ventilation isn't running, stop and report it rather than relying on your gear.
- Your feedback improves controls. You know which tasks are awkward or exposed. Suggest changes so the next fix is engineering, not another layer of PPE.
Example to share with the crew
Picture this: a crew cleans parts in an open tank of solvent every afternoon. Everyone wears gloves and a half-mask, but the masks are uncomfortable in the heat and often get pulled down for "just a minute." One worker starts getting headaches near the end of each shift.
The PPE was the only thing standing between the crew and the vapor. A lid, local extraction or a less volatile cleaner would have reduced exposure even when masks slipped. Ask the crew what other tasks lean on PPE in the same way.
PPE checklist
- Hazards for each task identified and written down
- Higher-level controls (removal, substitution, guarding, ventilation) considered first
- Required PPE for each task clearly posted or listed
- PPE available in a range of sizes that fit the crew
- Workers trained in when, what and how to wear PPE
- PPE inspected before use and damaged items removed
- Clean storage available for reusable PPE
- A simple way to report PPE that doesn't fit or work
Questions to ask the crew
- Which task here relies most on PPE, and could it be made safer another way?
- Is there any PPE you've been given that doesn't fit or that you avoid wearing? Why?
- If you noticed a guard or extractor wasn't working, would you carry on in PPE or stop?
How to close the talk
Close this PPE toolbox talk with one message: PPE is your backup, not your plan. Wear it properly every time, and report any task where PPE is doing all the work, or any gear that's damaged or doesn't fit, to your supervisor today. Follow up with our talks on gloves and respiratory protection, or see more safety talk topics.
Toolbox talk sign-in sheet
Print this page to get the talk and a blank attendance sheet on paper.
- Date
- Location / crew
- Presenter
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Frequently asked questions
Why is PPE called the last line of defense?
Because it sits at the bottom of the hierarchy of controls, after elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls. NIOSH says employers should not rely on PPE alone when other effective controls are available.
What should a PPE toolbox talk cover?
The hierarchy of controls, which PPE each task needs, fit and correct use, inspecting and reporting damaged PPE, and why wearing PPE doesn't make an uncontrolled hazard acceptable.
Who pays for PPE?
In the US, OSHA 1910.132 says required PPE must generally be provided by the employer at no cost to employees, with a few listed exceptions. Other countries have similar rules, so check the rules where you work.
Sources
This toolbox talk is general safety information. Adapt it to your site's procedures and follow the regulations that apply where you work.