OSHA Compliance

PPE Hazard Assessment & Certification Form — OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132

Q: Does OSHA require a written PPE hazard assessment?

Yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) requires employers to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present that necessitate the use of PPE. OSHA 1910.132(d)(2) requires that when such hazards are present, the employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation was performed, and the date(s) of the hazard assessment. This written certification is a standalone document requirement — it is not satisfied by a general safety policy or training records alone.

Q: What PPE does OSHA require employers to provide at no cost?

OSHA 1910.132(h) requires employers to provide most types of PPE at no cost to employees. This includes hard hats, safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection, high-visibility vests, safety gloves, and most respirators. Exceptions where employees may pay include ordinary prescription eyewear (if it also provides protection), logging boots, and items that are personal in nature and can be used off the job. When in doubt, provide the PPE at employer expense.

Q: How often must a PPE hazard assessment be updated?

OSHA does not specify a mandatory update frequency, but the assessment must be updated whenever work areas, tasks, or processes change in a way that could affect the hazard profile. Best practice is to review the assessment annually and whenever: new equipment or chemicals are introduced, the facility layout changes, a new task is added, an incident involving PPE failure occurs, or an OSHA inspection identifies a gap. Each update requires a new written certification.

Q: What is the difference between a PPE hazard assessment and a JHA?

A PPE hazard assessment covers an entire work area or department — it identifies all hazards present in that area and determines what PPE is required for anyone working there. A job hazard analysis (JHA) is task-specific — it breaks one job into steps and identifies hazards for each step, including PPE needed for that task. Both may result in PPE requirements, but the PPE hazard assessment under OSHA 1910.132 is specifically about facility/area-level certification, while a JHA is about controlling hazards for a specific task.

A free PPE hazard assessment and written certification form for OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132. Assess workplace hazards by area, determine required PPE by standard, and produce the written certification OSHA requires — with a filled-in example from a precision machine shop.

Free PPE Hazard Assessment Template

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Worked Example — ABC Precision Manufacturing

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The Written Certification Most Employers Don't Know They Need

Most employers know they need to provide PPE. Far fewer know that OSHA requires a written certification of the hazard assessment that determined which PPE is required. The distinction matters: having employees wear safety glasses is not the same as having a documented, certified hazard assessment that explains whythose glasses are required and for which hazards.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d) has two parts. Section (d)(1) requires the hazard assessment itself — a systematic evaluation of each workplace to determine what PPE is needed. Section (d)(2) requires that assessment to be verified through a written certification that identifies: the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation was performed, and the date(s) of the hazard assessment.

Without the written certification, even a well-run PPE program is out of compliance. OSHA inspectors commonly find that employers have PPE in use but no documented assessment behind it — and that gap is a citation.

The Three PPE Categories With Their Own OSHA Standards

Eye & Face Protection — 1910.133

Required when employees are exposed to flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids/caustic liquids, chemical gases/vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. Select to ANSI Z87.1. Safety glasses for impact; goggles for splash/chemical; face shield for grinding/molten splash (never a substitute for glasses underneath). Inspect daily — scratched lenses impair vision and are non-compliant.

Hearing Protection — 1910.95

Required when noise exposures reach 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) of hearing protection must be sufficient to reduce effective exposure to 90 dBA or lower (85 dBA preferred). Without actual noise measurements, employers often over- or under-select hearing protection. OSHA 1910.95 requires a hearing conservation program for exposures at 85+ dBA, including audiometric testing.

Hand & Foot Protection — 1910.138 / 1910.136

Hand protection: OSHA 1910.138 requires hand protection when hands are exposed to hazards from skin absorption, cuts/lacerations, abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes. Specify to ANSI/ISEA 105 cut resistance level. Foot protection: ASTM F2413 covers toe impact, compression, metatarsal, electrical hazard, and puncture-resistant soles — each job classification may need a different combination.

How to Complete a PPE Hazard Assessment — 6 Steps

Define the Work Areas to Be Assessed

Identify each distinct work area, department, or job type in your facility. A manufacturing operation might assess: CNC machining cell, grinding, welding, assembly, receiving/shipping, maintenance shop, and office separately. Each area may have a different hazard profile and therefore different PPE requirements.

Walk Each Area and Identify Hazards

Physically walk each work area and identify all potential hazards by category: impact (struck by tools, parts, or falling objects), penetration (sharp tools, cutting edges, flying chips), compression (pinch points, rolling or pinching actions), chemical (splashes, mists, vapors), heat/temperature (hot surfaces, sparks, molten material), harmful dust (grinding dust, wood dust, silica), light radiation (UV from welding, lasers), and noise. Review injury records and near-miss reports for that area — historical data reveals hazards that are easy to overlook during a walkthrough.

Determine Required PPE for Each Hazard

For each hazard identified, determine whether PPE is the appropriate control. Remember the hierarchy of controls — PPE is the last resort, not the first. Where engineering and administrative controls cannot adequately reduce the hazard, select PPE appropriate to the specific hazard type and severity. Specify the PPE to the standard level required (e.g., safety glasses to ANSI Z87.1, hearing protection to achieve NRR sufficient for the measured noise level).

Select Specific PPE to the Applicable Standard

Generic PPE descriptions are not sufficient — document the specific type and protective standard. For eye/face: specify ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses, goggles, or face shield as appropriate to the hazard. For hearing: specify the required noise reduction rating (NRR) based on measured noise levels. For gloves: specify the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut resistance level. For foot protection: ASTM F2413 steel-toe vs. composite-toe vs. metatarsal guard. This specificity is what allows consistent PPE procurement and employee training.

Produce the Written Certification

OSHA 1910.132(d)(2) requires a written certification that identifies: (1) the workplace or work area evaluated, (2) the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, and (3) the date(s) of the hazard assessment. This certification must be signed by a qualified person — typically a safety coordinator, EHS manager, or supervisor with safety responsibilities. Without this written certification, the assessment does not satisfy OSHA's requirement even if the PPE is correct.

Train Employees and Document Training

OSHA 1910.132(f) requires training for each employee who is required to use PPE. Training must cover: when PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE, limitations of the PPE, and proper care, maintenance, and disposal. Training records must be retained. Employees must demonstrate understanding before being allowed to work in the area — a signed acknowledgment form or quiz score satisfies this requirement.

Filled-In Example: ABC Precision Manufacturing

Below is an excerpt from the PPE Hazard Assessment at ABC Precision Manufacturing. This shows the assessment for three work areas: CNC Machining, Grinding, and Inspection/CMM.

PPE HAZARD ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION — PPE-001

ABC Precision Manufacturing, LLC | Rev B | Assessment Date: January 10, 2026

Assessed By: Maria Gonzalez, Safety Coordinator | Certified By: Robert Haines, Facility Manager

Work Area	Hazard	Hazard Type	Required PPE	Standard / Specification	Employer Provided?
CNC Machining (Cells 1–3)	Flying chips and coolant splash during machining cycle	Impact / Chemical	Safety glasses — wrap-around	ANSI Z87.1 impact-rated	Yes
CNC Machining (Cells 1–3)	Sharp machined edges and cutting inserts during tool changes	Cut / Laceration	Cut-resistant gloves (tool change only)	ANSI/ISEA 105 Level A4 minimum	Yes
CNC Machining (Cells 1–3)	Machine noise — measured 87–91 dBA at operator position	Noise	Hearing protection — foam earplugs or earmuffs	NRR 25+ (achieves <85 dBA effective)	Yes
CNC Machining (Cells 1–3)	Heavy raw stock and finished parts	Compression / Impact	Steel-toed safety boots	ASTM F2413-18, toe impact + compression	No — employee-provided; employer reimburses $75/yr
Grinding (Cell 3)	Flying abrasive particles and sparks from grinding wheel	Impact / Spark	Safety glasses + face shield over glasses	ANSI Z87.1 glasses; face shield with Z87+ rating	Yes
Grinding (Cell 3)	Grinding dust — metallic (not silica-generating material)	Dust inhalation	Dust mask when grinding >15 min continuous	NIOSH-approved N95	Yes
Grinding (Cell 3)	Noise — measured 92–96 dBA at operator position	Noise	Earmuffs (preferred over plugs for consistent fit)	NRR 29+ (achieves <85 dBA effective)	Yes
Inspection / CMM Lab	Sharp part edges during handling	Cut / Laceration	Light-duty cut-resistant gloves during part handling	ANSI/ISEA 105 Level A2	Yes
Inspection / CMM Lab	Chemical exposure: isopropyl alcohol (part cleaning)	Chemical splash	Safety glasses (splash-rated goggles if bulk cleaning)	ANSI Z87.1; goggles if splash risk present	Yes
Receiving / Shipping Dock	Forklift traffic; heavy material handling	Impact / Compression	Steel-toed safety boots; high-visibility vest	ASTM F2413-18; ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 vest	Yes (vest); No (boots — employee-provided, $75/yr reimburse)

WRITTEN CERTIFICATION — OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2)

I certify that the workplace hazard assessment required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) was performed for the work areas identified in this document on January 10, 2026. The assessment was conducted by walkthrough observation of each work area, review of injury and near-miss records, and consultation with employees performing the work. The PPE requirements identified above are appropriate to control the hazards present in each area assessed.

Certified By: Robert Haines, Facility Manager

Date: January 10, 2026

Next Review Due: January 2027

Track PPE Training in Training Tiger

OSHA 1910.132(f) requires documented training for every employee who uses PPE — what PPE is required, when to use it, how to wear and maintain it. Training Tiger stores your PPE hazard assessment as a controlled document and assigns the required training to employees by work area, with automatic retraining whenever the assessment is updated.

→Store PPE hazard assessments as controlled documents — version history, certification on file
→Assign PPE training by department or work area — track sign-off per employee
→Automatic retraining trigger when the PPE assessment is revised
→Exportable PPE training records for OSHA inspection — timestamped, signed

See OSHA Training Features View Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OSHA require a written PPE hazard assessment?

Yes. OSHA 1910.132(d)(1) requires a workplace hazard assessment to determine if PPE is needed. 1910.132(d)(2) requires that assessment to be verified through a written certification identifying the workplace evaluated, the certifying person, and the date. This written certification is a standalone document requirement separate from training records.

What PPE does OSHA require employers to provide at no cost?

OSHA 1910.132(h) requires employers to provide most PPE at no cost: hard hats, safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection, high-visibility vests, safety gloves, and most respirators. Exceptions include ordinary prescription eyewear (if it also provides protection) and items that are personal in nature and used off the job.

How often must a PPE hazard assessment be updated?

OSHA does not specify a mandatory frequency, but the assessment must be updated whenever work areas, tasks, or processes change. Best practice: annual review plus updates when new equipment or chemicals are introduced, the facility layout changes, a new task is added, an incident involving PPE failure occurs, or an OSHA inspection identifies a gap. Each update requires a new written certification.

What is the difference between a PPE hazard assessment and a JHA?

A PPE hazard assessment covers an entire work area — it identifies all hazards present and determines what PPE anyone working there requires. A JHA is task-specific — it breaks one job into steps and identifies hazards per step. Both result in PPE requirements, but the 1910.132 assessment is area-level certification; the JHA is task-level control documentation.