About this session
Personal protective equipment creates a barrier between a worker and a hazard, but it does not remove the hazard itself. Effective PPE starts with understanding the task, the exposure and the controls already in place before deciding what protection is still required.
Participants learn how to connect specific hazards with appropriate eye, face, head, hand, foot, hearing, body and respiratory protection. They examine fit, compatibility, condition and limitations so PPE is selected as a system rather than as isolated items.
The session also covers inspection, cleaning, storage, replacement and reporting.
Throughout the training, PPE is positioned within the hierarchy of controls: an important protective layer when needed, but not a substitute for eliminating hazards, improving equipment or redesigning unsafe work.
What your people take away
- Explain where PPE fits within the hierarchy of controls
- Match PPE to the actual hazard, exposure and task
- Recognize when fit, sizing or equipment compatibility can reduce protection
- Inspect PPE for damage, contamination, wear and loss of function
- Apply appropriate cleaning, storage and replacement practices
- Identify situations where PPE alone is not an adequate control
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Start With the Hazard — Not the PPEA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE: understand what PPE can and cannot do, define the task & exposure and use the hierarchy of controls.
- Understand what PPE can and cannot do
- Define the task & exposure
- Use the hierarchy of controls
Covers 3 of 4 points in Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE.
60 minutes
PPE Fundamentals: Select the Right ProtectionA focused introduction to where PPE fits within hazard control, how to identify the protection a task requires and why equipment must match the hazard, person and work being performed.
- PPE within the hierarchy of controls
- Hazard versus protection
- Task and exposure assessment
- Common PPE categories
- PPE limitations
- Basic fit and compatibility
- Pre-use inspection
- PPE Selection Quick Practice
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE.
90 minutes
Selecting, Fitting & Using PPE EffectivelyThe extended session adds practical PPE comparison, fit and compatibility, inspection, contamination control, cleaning, storage and replacement. Participants work through realistic task scenarios and decide which controls and protective equipment are appropriate.
- Hierarchy of controls
- Task and exposure assessment
- Eye and face protection
- Hand and skin protection
- Head and foot protection
- Hearing protection
- Respiratory protection awareness
- Fit and sizing
- PPE compatibility
- Inspection
- Contamination during removal
- Cleaning and storage
- PPE Selection Scenario Exercise
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE and Select PPE That Matches the Hazard.
3 hours
Covers 3 of 4 parts: Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE, Select PPE That Matches the Hazard and Use, Inspect & Care for PPE Properly.
Full day
PPE Selection & Use WorkshopAn applied deep-dive covering all four modules. Participants evaluate workplace tasks, identify residual hazards, compare PPE options, inspect equipment, troubleshoot compatibility problems and build practical improvements around availability, use, care and replacement.
- Module 1 — Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE
- Module 2 — Select PPE That Matches the Hazard
- Module 3 — Use, Inspect & Care for PPE Properly
- Module 4 — Make PPE Part of a Safer Work System
- Hazard-to-Control Mapping Exercise
- PPE Selection Lab
- Fit & Compatibility Review
- Defective PPE Identification Exercise
- Contamination & Removal Scenario
- Cleaning & Storage Review
- PPE Access & Replacement Mapping
- Specialist PPE Escalation Scenarios
- Workplace PPE Action Plan
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
Also available as a 4-week or 8-week program, for change that lasts. Ask us about it.
What’s covered
Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE
Every length- Understand what PPE can and cannot doPPE reduces exposure by creating a protective barrier, but the hazard remains present.
- Define the task & exposureThe right protection depends on what the employee is doing, what can reach them, how severe the potential exposure is and how long the task lasts.
- Use the hierarchy of controlsParticipants work through elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative or work-practice controls and PPE.
- Identify residual riskPPE becomes particularly important when stronger controls cannot remove all exposure or while other controls are being implemented.
Select PPE That Matches the Hazard
90 minutes and longer- Match protection to the exposureSafety glasses, goggles, face shields, gloves, protective footwear, hard hats, hearing protection, protective clothing and respirators solve different problems.
- Check the equipment's limitationsNo glove protects against every chemical, no hearing protector suits every noise environment and no respirator protects against every airborne hazard.
- Fit the person as well as the taskEquipment that is too large, too small, unstable or uncomfortable can interfere with movement and reduce real-world protection.
- Make multiple items work togetherWorkers may need eye, hearing, head, respiratory and face protection at the same time.
Use, Inspect & Care for PPE Properly
3 hours and longer- Check PPE before using itCracks, tears, worn straps, damaged lenses, compressed seals, contamination and missing components can reduce protection.
- Put it on & use it as intendedProtection depends on how equipment is worn and adjusted during the task.
- Control contamination during removalSome PPE becomes contaminated while doing its job.
- Clean, store & replace it correctlyReusable PPE needs suitable cleaning, drying and storage so its protective properties are not damaged between uses.
Make PPE Part of a Safer Work System
Full day only- Make the right PPE available where it is neededEmployees cannot use suitable PPE if the correct size, type or replacement stock is difficult to access.
- Report PPE that does not work for the taskFogging, poor fit, loss of dexterity, communication problems, skin reactions and equipment interference can all affect use.
- Recognize specialist PPE requirementsSome protective equipment requires additional assessment, training or formal programs.
- Fix repeated dependence on PPEIf employees are continually exposed to a hazard that could reasonably be reduced through process, equipment or work-design changes, issuing more PPE should not end the discussion.
Tools and materials
- Hazard-to-Control Map
- PPE Task-Match Builder
- PPE Selection Decision Guide
- PPE Fit Check
- Compatibility Matrix
- PPE Inspection Checklist
- Contamination & Removal Guide
- Replacement Trigger Planner
- Specialist PPE Boundary Map
- PPE Selection & Use Playbook
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about PPE: Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment
How long is PPE: Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment?
PPE: Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE: understand what PPE can and cannot do, define the task & exposure and use the hierarchy of controls. A 60-minute session covers Start With the Hazard — Not the PPE in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Select PPE That Matches the Hazard. A 3-hour session adds Use, Inspect & Care for PPE Properly. A full-day session adds Make PPE Part of a Safer Work System. It is also available as a 4-week or 8-week program.
Can PPE: Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book PPE: Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open PPE: Selecting and Using Personal Protective Equipment to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.