PPE Hazard Assessment Template For Employers

Why This Requirement Gets Missed

Every employer knows workers need PPE. Most provide it. Most enforce use. But under OSHA 1910.132(d), you must also have a WRITTEN hazard assessment showing you thought through what PPE is needed and why.

Providing safety glasses isn't enough. You need documentation showing: "In work area X, task Y creates hazard Z, which requires PPE type A."

This is one of the easiest OSHA requirements to complete — and one of the most commonly missed.

What Every PPE Hazard Assessment Includes

1. Workplace/Task Identification

• Company name
• Facility/site name
• Work areas covered
• Tasks covered (specific enough to be useful)

2. Hazard Categories Assessed

Under 1910.132 and 1910.133-138, the categories are:

• Impact — Falling objects, flying debris, projectiles
• Penetration — Sharp objects, pointed tools
• Compression — Rollover, crushing
• Chemical — Splash, spray, contact, inhalation
• Heat/Cold — Temperature extremes, hot surfaces
• Dust — Silica, wood, drywall
• Light/Radiation — Welding arc, UV, laser
• Noise — Continuous or impact >85 dB
• Biological — Bloodborne pathogens, waste
• Electrical — Arc flash, shock, static discharge

3. Body Parts Exposed To Each Hazard

• Head
• Eyes/Face
• Ears/Hearing
• Hands
• Feet
• Respiratory
• Body/Torso

4. PPE Selected For Each Hazard

Not just "wear PPE" — specific PPE meeting specific ANSI/ASTM standards:

• Head — ANSI Z89.1 hard hats (Type I or II, Class C/G/E)
• Eye/Face — ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses/goggles
• Hearing — NRR-rated plugs or muffs
• Hands — task-specific (cut-resistant, chemical-resistant, insulated)
• Feet — ANSI Z41 / ASTM F2413 safety-toe boots
• Respiratory — NIOSH-approved (N95, half-face, full-face, PAPR, SAR)
• Fall protection — ANSI Z359 full body harness

5. Certification Block

Required by 1910.132(d)(2):

• Workplace name and address
• Date of assessment
• Name and signature of person conducting the assessment
• Identification of the document as a certification of hazard assessment

Sample Assessment Entry

Task: Concrete Cutting (Wet or Dry Saw)

Hazards Identified:

• Impact/flying particles (silica dust, concrete chips)
• Dust (respirable crystalline silica per 1926.1153)
• Noise (85-105 dB depending on saw)
• Vibration (hand-arm)
• Chemical (concrete alkalinity on skin)

Body Parts Exposed: Eyes, respiratory, hands, hearing

PPE Required:

• Safety glasses ANSI Z87.1 minimum, face shield preferred
• N95 or half-face respirator (based on 1926.1153 assessment)
• Cut-resistant gloves
• Hearing protection (foam plugs NRR 29+ or muffs)
• Long sleeves and long pants
• Steel-toe boots ASTM F2413

Engineering/Administrative Controls Also In Place:

• Wet cutting when possible (water suppression)
• Ventilation for enclosed cutting
• Job rotation to limit exposure duration

Common PPE Assessment Mistakes

• Not written — "We provide PPE" isn't enough. Must be documented.
• Not certified — Missing the signature/date/workplace block.
• Too generic — "Construction has hazards, wear PPE" isn't an assessment.
• Missing task-specific hazards — Assessment done for the site but not for specific hazardous tasks (silica cutting, welding, chemical handling).
• Not updated — Assessment done in 2015, still on file, current work is completely different.
• No worker training on it — Assessment exists but workers never trained on why they're wearing what they're wearing.

Training Documentation Required Too

Under 1910.132(f), workers must be trained on:

• When PPE is necessary
• What PPE is necessary
• How to properly put on, take off, adjust, and wear PPE
• The limitations of the PPE
• Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal

Each worker signs off that they received training. Signed rosters kept 3+ years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Article by Anthony Forbes. 20 years field experience. All templates written by Anthony directly.