PPE Compliance Checklist
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About this PPE compliance checklist
When PPE slips, people get hurt — and most of the time it’s not because anyone chose to take a risk. It’s because the right kit wasn’t there, it didn’t fit, the task changed, or the rules weren’t clear in the moment. This PPE compliance checklist gives operations teams a practical way to stop guessing and start knowing what’s really happening on the floor.
Use it for daily routines, spot checks, shift handovers, and higher-risk work. It covers preparation checks, in-process compliance, clear escalation criteria, and close-out actions so issues don’t drift.
What this PPE compliance checklist covers
- Before you start: confirm the right PPE is available, in date, and fits properly
- In-process checks: verify PPE is worn correctly and consistently (not just carried)
- Escalation criteria: define when to stop work and who to notify
- Close-out: assign actions, owners, and a re-check plan
How to use the checklist on shift
Keep it simple and repeatable. Walk the area, observe what’s happening, and capture facts — what you saw, where it happened, and what PPE was missing or incorrect. If there’s immediate risk, stop the task and escalate. If it’s a pattern, look for the system issue (stock, sizing, training, signage, time pressure) rather than blaming individuals.
Escalation criteria to remove guesswork
Escalate when any of the following are true:
- Someone is working without required PPE and there is immediate risk of harm
- The PPE requirement is unclear because the SOP or risk assessment is missing or out of date
- You find repeat non-compliance that suggests a broken process
- There is no stock or the PPE available does not fit
- PPE is damaged, modified, or out of date and still in use
Common issues this checklist helps you spot
- PPE is available, but stored too far from the point of use
- People wear PPE, but not correctly (loose straps, unfastened hi-vis, visors up)
- Task changes mid-shift, but PPE requirements do not change with it
- Shortages or missing sizes lead to “make do” behaviour
- Signage exists, but it’s unclear, outdated, or ignored
Run PPE checks in Ocasta
Ocasta replaces paper-based checks with structured, consistent inspections that teams can complete on any device. You get real-time visibility of compliance, repeat issues, and where standards are slipping — so you can act before a near miss becomes an incident.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, health and safety, or professional advice. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws, standards, and internal policies.
Included questions
Here's what's included in this PPE compliance checklist:
Before you start (9)
Confirm the right PPE is available, fits properly, and the team knows the rules before work begins.
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Text
Where is this PPE check taking place?
Example: Warehouse bay 3, shop floor, loading dock, plant room.
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Dropdown
Which shift is this for?
Pick the shift or time window you’re checking.
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Yes/No
Is the current risk assessment or SOP available and up to date for today’s work?
No guessing — if the task or environment has changed, the PPE requirement may have changed too.
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Yes/No
Is the required PPE clearly identified for the task and area?
Check signage, SOPs, and any task briefing notes.
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Yes/No
Is the required PPE in stock and easy to access where it’s needed?
If people need to hunt for PPE, compliance drops fast.
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Yes/No
Are the correct sizes available (including spares and visitor PPE if needed)?
Include gloves, hi-vis, safety footwear, and respiratory protection sizes.
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Yes/No
Is PPE in good condition (clean, intact, within expiry where applicable)?
Look for damage, missing parts, worn straps, cracked visors, and out-of-date filters.
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Yes/No
Has the team been briefed or trained on correct PPE use for this work?
Especially important for respiratory protection, hearing protection, and task-specific gloves.
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Yes/No
Is there a clear fit-check process for PPE that requires it (for example RPE)?
If fit testing is required by your policy, confirm it’s current and recorded.
PPE compliance in the work area (10)
Verify PPE is being worn correctly, consistently, and at the right time — not just carried.
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Yes/No
Is PPE signage present, visible, and accurate for the area?
Replace faded, missing, or conflicting signage.
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Yes/No
Are there clear entry-point controls to prompt PPE use (for example PPE station, reminders, barriers)?
Make the right behaviour the easy behaviour.
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Percentage
What percentage of people in the area are wearing the mandatory PPE right now?
Estimate based on what you can see in the moment.
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Yes/No
Is PPE being worn correctly (not modified, loosened, or worn incorrectly)?
Examples: chin straps used, hi-vis fastened, gloves appropriate to the task, eye protection worn over eyes.
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Yes/No
Is task-specific PPE being used when the task changes (not just the ‘standard’ PPE)?
Check higher-risk tasks: chemicals, cutting, grinding, working at height, noisy areas.
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Yes/No
Is PPE compatible when worn together (no gaps, no interference)?
For example: goggles with masks, hearing protection with helmets, gloves that still allow safe handling.
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Dropdown
How is PPE issued in this area?
This helps pinpoint root causes: availability, ownership, cleaning, or storage.
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Yes/No
Is PPE stored correctly (clean, dry, protected from damage and contamination)?
Poor storage causes hidden failures: scratched lenses, degraded filters, contaminated gloves.
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Dropdown
If you saw any non-compliance, what was the main reason?
Pick the best match — this makes follow-up actions more effective.
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Text
Describe what you saw (people, location, activity, PPE missing or incorrect)
Keep it factual and specific so it’s easy to act on.
Escalation and immediate actions (7)
Define when to stop work, who to notify, and what must be recorded.
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Yes/No
Is anyone currently working with missing or incorrect PPE where there is immediate risk of harm?
If yes: stop the task, make the area safe, and escalate now.
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Yes/No
If immediate risk was present, was the work stopped until PPE was corrected?
Document what was stopped and when it restarted.
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Dropdown
Does this issue meet escalation criteria?
Use your local policy. If unsure, escalate.
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Person
Who did you escalate to?
Select the person responsible for the next action.
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Text
What corrective action was taken immediately?
Examples: issued correct PPE, replaced damaged PPE, refreshed briefing, updated signage, isolated area.
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Yes/No
Is this repeat non-compliance by the same person or team?
Repeat issues usually mean the process is broken, not the person.
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Text
What do you think is the root cause of the issue?
Focus on systems: supply, sizing, comfort, training, supervision, task design, time pressure.
Close-out and follow-up (5)
Make sure issues don’t drift. Capture actions, owners, and a clear re-check plan.
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Yes/No
Have all PPE issues been logged with enough detail to follow up?
Include what, where, who is affected, and what ‘good’ looks like.
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Yes/No
Have follow-up actions been assigned to named owners with due dates?
If there’s no owner and date, it’s not an action — it’s a wish.
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Dropdown
When will you re-check PPE compliance in this area?
Pick a realistic time based on risk and how quickly things change.
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Vibe
Overall PPE compliance today
Your judgement call based on what you saw and how consistent it was.
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Signature
Sign off this PPE compliance check
By signing, you confirm the check was completed and any immediate risks were acted on.