1910.132(e): Do Not Use Damaged PPE
Defective or damaged personal protective equipment must not be used.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 39 times in the last 3 years, in 39 inspections, with $59,646 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (15), PA (3), PR (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.132(e) ("Defective and damaged equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.132 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(e) Defective and damaged equipment. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used. 39 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.132.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: NY (15), PA (3), PR (2), TN (2), NM (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| AMTEC CORPORATION | CLEAR LAKE, SD | $13,240 |
| VISION AHM, LLC | EL PASO, TX | $11,524 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $6,844 |
| 68452 - LOUISVILLE JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT | LOUISVILLE, KY | $4,500 |
| L&R WELL SERVICES INC | ARTESIA, NM | $3,850 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.132(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.132(e).
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use PPE that is damaged?
No. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.
Does this apply to all PPE?
Yes, the rule covers defective or damaged personal protective equipment.
What should I do with damaged PPE?
Stop using it and report it so it can be replaced.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.132 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-23
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.