1910.132(f)(3): Retraining Workers on PPE
When the employer has reason to believe a trained employee does not have the understanding and skill needed for PPE, the employer must retrain that employee. Examples include workplace changes or PPE changes that make past training obsolete, or signs that a worker has not kept the needed knowledge or skill.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(f)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $83,739 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (4), PA (3), VA (3).
- 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)(3) is one requirement inside 1910.132 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 3 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
(3) When the employer has reason to believe that any affected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill required by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the employer shall retrain each such employee. Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not limited to, situations where: 21 citations
(i) Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete; or
(ii) Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete; or 3 citations
(iii) Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill. Open (f)(3)(iii) 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.132.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: IL (4), PA (3), VA (3), NY (2), TX (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MODWASH, LLC | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $16,550 |
| W & W?AFCO STEEL LLC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $16,550 |
| FEDEX GROUND | CAROL STREAM, IL | $11,823 |
| SOUTH CHICAGO PACKING LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 |
| ARROW GLASS & MIRROR, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $7,566 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.132(f)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.132(f)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.132(f) Training 469 citations
- 1910.132(f)(1) 432 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
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Frequently asked questions
When is PPE retraining required?
When the employer has reason to believe a trained employee lacks the required understanding and skill.
What are examples that require retraining?
Workplace changes or PPE changes that make previous training obsolete, or a worker's poor knowledge or use of assigned PPE.
Are those the only reasons?
No. The rule says circumstances include, but are not limited to, those examples.
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.