1910.132(f)(1): PPE Training for Employees
Employers must train each employee who is required to use personal protective equipment (PPE). Each employee must know at least when PPE is needed, what PPE is needed, how to put it on, take it off, adjust and wear it, its limits, and its proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(f)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 432 times in the last 3 years, in 429 inspections, with $599,849 in current penalties.
- 7 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (77), MA (43), OH (41).
- Related part: 1910.132(f) Training (469 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.132 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. 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
(1) The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE. Each such employee shall be trained to know at least the following: 432 citations
(i) When PPE is necessary; Open (f)(1)(i) 14 citations
(ii) What PPE is necessary; Open (f)(1)(ii) 10 citations
(iii) How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE; 8 citations
(iv) The limitations of the PPE; and, 9 citations
(v) The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE. 9 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.132.
Injuries linked to this rule
7 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.132(f)(1).
At 12:30 a.m. on January 31, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a heavy equipmentoperator for an oil and gas support contractor. Employee #1 was performing maintenance on a centrifuge that was operating at a well drilling location. Employee #1 had removed one of the…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 147 |
| 2025 | 160 |
| 2026 | 86 |
Top states: PR (77), MA (43), OH (41), ME (39), MD (25)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 160475 - THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. | HIGH POINT, NC | $28,100 |
| US APPLICATORS, LLC | SEAGOVILLE, TX | $16,131 |
| 159648 - NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $14,895 |
| TURNER INDUSTRIES GROUP | SAINT GABRIEL, LA | $14,187 |
| AMES COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | AMES, IA | $14,063 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.132(f)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.132(f)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.132(f) Training 469 citations
- 1910.132(f)(3) 21 citations
- 1910.132(f)(2) 16 citations
- 1910.132(f)(1)(i) 14 citations
- 1910.132(f)(3)(iii) 11 citations
- 1910.132(f)(1)(ii) 10 citations
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
Who must receive PPE training?
Each employee who is required by 1910.132 to use PPE.
What must PPE training cover?
When and what PPE is necessary, how to don, doff, adjust and wear it, its limitations, and its care, maintenance, useful life and disposal.
Is it enough to just hand out PPE?
No. The employer must train employees to know at least the listed topics.
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 2026-10-20
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.