PPE Hazard Assessment Review Checklist [FREE PDF]

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 requires employers to conduct and certify a written hazard assessment to determine what PPE is necessary before workers begin tasks. This assessment must be performed by a qualified person and documented with the workplace location, date, and certifying signature. Failure to complete and maintain a compliant hazard assessment can result in OSHA citations, increased incident rates, and worker injury liability.

Industry: General Industry
Frequency: Annually
Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
Role: EHS Specialist
Total Items: 42
Compliance: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 - General PPE Requirements, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 - Eye and Face Protection, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135 - Head Protection, ANSI Z87.1-2020 Eye and Face Protection, ANSI Z89.1-2014 Industrial Head Protection

Assessment Prerequisites & Documentation

Verify that all foundational requirements for a valid OSHA-compliant PPE hazard assessment are in place before beginning the walkthrough.

Has a qualified person been designated to conduct this hazard assessment?
Is a written certification of the hazard assessment being completed for this review?
Are previous hazard assessment records available for reference?
Have recent incident reports or near-miss logs been reviewed prior to this assessment?
Have Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals used in this area been reviewed?

Impact & Penetration Hazard Assessment

Identify all potential sources of impact, compression, and penetration hazards that may require head, foot, or body protection.

Are workers exposed to overhead objects that could fall or cause head impact?
Is the appropriate hard hat class (E, G, or C) selected based on electrical hazard exposure?
Are workers exposed to machinery, tools, or materials that present struck-by or caught-in hazards?
Are foot hazards present that require safety footwear (crushing, puncture, or electrical)?
Have all identified impact and penetration hazards been documented with specific task or location references?

Eye & Face Hazard Assessment

Evaluate all sources of eye and face hazards including projectiles, chemical splashes, radiation, and dust exposure in the work area.

Are workers exposed to flying particles, chips, or fragments that require eye protection?
Is chemical splash exposure present requiring chemical splash goggles or face shields?
Are welding, cutting, or brazing operations performed that require shade-rated protection?
Is laser or intense light source exposure present requiring laser-rated eyewear?
Have all selected eye and face protectors been verified to carry an ANSI Z87.1 marking?
Is an emergency eyewash station accessible within 10 seconds of chemical hazard exposure areas?

Hand & Skin Hazard Assessment

Identify chemical, thermal, cut, and biological hazards to the hands and skin that require appropriate glove and body protection selection.

Are workers exposed to hazardous chemicals requiring chemical-resistant gloves?
Are cut, laceration, or puncture hazards present requiring cut-resistant gloves?
Are thermal hazards (heat or cold) present that require thermally protective gloves?
Are workers at risk of electrical shock requiring electrically insulating gloves?
Has skin exposure to UV radiation, biological agents, or dermal absorption chemicals been evaluated?

Respiratory Hazard Assessment

Evaluate airborne hazards including dusts, fumes, vapors, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres that may necessitate respiratory protective equipment.

Have airborne contaminant concentrations been measured or estimated against OSHA PELs?
Is a written respiratory protection program in place if respirators are required?
Are workers potentially exposed to oxygen-deficient or immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmospheres?
Have all respirator users been medically evaluated and fit-tested for their assigned respirator?
Are engineering controls (ventilation, enclosures) being used to reduce respiratory hazards before relying on PPE?

Fall Protection & Special Hazard Assessment

Assess fall hazards, electrical hazards, and other special exposures such as fire or extreme heat that require specialized PPE beyond standard categories.

Are workers exposed to fall hazards at or above 4 feet (general industry) requiring fall protection?
Have arc flash hazard analysis and PPE category been determined for electrical work?
Are workers exposed to fire, heat, or flame requiring flame-resistant or fire-resistant PPE?
Are workers exposed to whole-body vibration, noise, or ergonomic hazards requiring supplemental protection?
Have temperature extremes (heat or cold stress) been assessed with appropriate protective clothing or cooling/warming PPE identified?

PPE Selection & Specification Verification

Confirm that all PPE identified through the hazard assessment has been properly specified, matches the hazard profile, and meets applicable standards.

Has a PPE selection table or matrix been created linking each identified hazard to a specific PPE item and standard?
Has all selected PPE been verified to carry the correct certification markings (ANSI, NIOSH, ASTM, etc.)?
Have PPE fit and comfort factors been considered to promote consistent worker compliance?
Is a photo or sample of each required PPE item being documented in this assessment record?
Have all PPE specifications been communicated to procurement to ensure only compliant PPE is purchased?

Training & PPE Program Requirements

Verify that all required PPE training has been planned or completed and that the overall PPE program meets OSHA documentation and review requirements.

Have all affected workers been trained on when and how to use their assigned PPE?
Are training records documenting employee name, date, and subject of training being maintained?
Is retraining scheduled when PPE changes, hazards change, or worker performance indicates inadequate understanding?
Has a schedule been established for the next periodic hazard assessment review?
Have the findings of this hazard assessment been reviewed and certified by a responsible management representative?
Are additional notes or corrective actions from this assessment documented for follow-up?

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Why Use This PPE Hazard Assessment Review Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This ppe hazard assessment review checklist [free pdf] helps general industry teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for ehs specialist professionals, this checklist covers 42 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: annually.

Ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 - General PPE Requirements, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 - Eye and Face Protection, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135 - Head Protection, ANSI Z87.1-2020 Eye and Face Protection, ANSI Z89.1-2014 Industrial Head Protection. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the PPE Hazard Assessment Review Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 42 inspection items across 8 sections: Assessment Prerequisites & Documentation, Impact & Penetration Hazard Assessment, Eye & Face Hazard Assessment, Hand & Skin Hazard Assessment, Respiratory Hazard Assessment, Fall Protection & Special Hazard Assessment, PPE Selection & Specification Verification, Training & PPE Program Requirements. It is designed for general industry operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annually. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this PPE Hazard Assessment Review Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for EHS Specialist professionals in the general industry industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.