1910.132(f): PPE Training
Employers must train every worker who must use personal protective equipment (PPE) on when it is needed, what is needed, how to put it on, take it off, adjust and wear it, its limits, and its care, useful life and disposal. Workers must show they understand before doing the work, and must be retrained when the workplace or PPE changes or they show gaps in knowledge or skill.
Key takeaways
- 1910.132(f) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 469 times in the last 3 years, in 464 inspections, with $725,826 in current penalties.
- 7 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (78), OH (44), MA (43).
- Related part: 1910.132(f)(1) (432 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.132(f) ("Training") is one requirement inside 1910.132 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 11 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
(f) Training. 469 citations
(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: Open (f)(1) 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
(2) Each affected employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, and the ability to use PPE properly, before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE. Open (f)(2) 16 citations
(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: Open (f)(3) 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.
Injuries linked to this rule
7 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.132(f).
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 | 157 |
| 2025 | 179 |
| 2026 | 94 |
Top states: PR (78), OH (44), MA (43), ME (40), VA (29)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 160475 - THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. | HIGH POINT, NC | $28,100 |
| MODWASH, LLC | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $16,550 |
| W & W?AFCO STEEL LLC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $16,550 |
| US APPLICATORS, LLC | SEAGOVILLE, TX | $16,131 |
| 159648 - NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | MOREHEAD CITY, NC | $14,895 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.132(f), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.132(f).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.132(f)(1) 432 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
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Frequently asked questions
What topics must PPE training cover?
When PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary, how to don, doff, adjust and wear it, its limitations, and its care, maintenance, useful life and disposal.
When must a worker show they understand the training?
Before being allowed to perform work that requires the PPE.
When is retraining required?
When workplace changes or PPE changes make training outdated, or when a worker's knowledge or use shows they did not retain the training.
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.