PPE Condition Check: How to Complete This Weekly Safety Inspection

Why PPE condition checks matter

Personal protective equipment exists because some workplace hazards cannot be eliminated or adequately controlled by other means. Hot surfaces, sharp knives, chemical splashes, contaminated materials — PPE creates a barrier between these hazards and the person.

But that barrier only works when the PPE is:

• Available — In stock, accessible, at the point of use
• In good condition — Not worn, damaged, contaminated, or degraded
• Appropriate — Right type and size for the task and person
• Properly stored — Protected from damage and degradation between uses

PPE fails for predictable reasons:

• Worn out through use — Even good PPE degrades with repeated use
• Stock depleted — Disposable items get used and not replaced
• Damaged — Tears, holes, and defects compromise protection
• Wrong size — PPE that does not fit will not be worn (or will not protect if worn)
• Not accessible — PPE locked away or stored far from where it is needed
• Contaminated — PPE that has absorbed chemicals or pathogens needs replacing

Weekly checks catch these failures before someone relies on protection that is not there.

The legal requirement

Health and safety regulations worldwide require employers to provide appropriate PPE free of charge, ensure it is maintained in good condition, and ensure staff use it correctly.

In the UK, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended) require employers to ensure PPE is properly maintained, kept in good repair, and replaced as necessary.

In the US, OSHA standards require employers to provide PPE at no cost to employees and to ensure equipment is maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.

Similar requirements exist throughout Europe, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere. The principle is universal: if you require staff to wear PPE, you must ensure it is available and in working condition.

PPE in hospitality

Common PPE in hospitality environments includes:

• Gloves — Disposable (food handling, cleaning), rubber (heavy cleaning), cut-resistant (knife work), heat-resistant (hot pans)
• Aprons — Standard aprons, waterproof aprons, heat-resistant aprons
• Eye protection — Safety glasses for chemical handling, cleaning tasks
• Footwear — Safety shoes or slip-resistant footwear
• Hearing protection — For noisy environments (dishwashers, music venues)
• High-visibility clothing — For outdoor work, delivery areas

Your risk assessments determine what PPE is required for which tasks. The weekly check verifies it is available and ready.

Frequency and timing

Standard frequency

PPE should be checked at least weekly. This catches depletion and damage before staff need items that are not available.

Higher-frequency checks may be needed:

• After particularly busy periods
• Following incidents that used PPE supplies
• In high-turnover environments where stocks deplete quickly

Best timing

Beginning of the week is often practical — ensures adequate stock for the week ahead and allows time to order replacements.

Combine with other weekly checks (workplace safety walk, fire exit inspection) for efficiency.

Ongoing attention

The weekly check is a formal verification. Staff should also:

• Report damaged PPE immediately
• Report when stock is running low
• Not use PPE that appears damaged or inadequate

How to complete the check

1. PPE condition check

Work through the checklist, verifying availability and condition of each PPE category.

Why it matters:

Different types of PPE protect against different hazards. The checklist ensures you consider all PPE types that may be needed in your workplace.

What good answers look like:

Every item should be checked and ticked if adequate supplies are available and in good condition. Items you cannot tick need restocking or replacement.

How to answer this for yourself:

Work through each category:

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Disposable gloves stocked (various sizes)

Check supplies of disposable gloves — typically nitrile or vinyl for food handling.

Why this matters: Disposable gloves are used constantly in hospitality for food handling and cleaning. They are single-use items that deplete rapidly.

What to look for:

• Adequate stock available (consider a week's usage minimum)
• Multiple sizes available (S, M, L at minimum)
• Boxes accessible at points of use
• Gloves not perished or degraded

Common issues: Only one size available. Supplies running low. Gloves stored in inappropriate conditions (heat, sunlight). Blue gloves not available for food handling.

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Rubber/heavy-duty gloves available for cleaning

Check supplies of reusable gloves for cleaning tasks.

Why this matters: Cleaning with chemicals requires protection from splashes and contact. Standard disposable gloves may not provide adequate chemical resistance.

What to look for:

• Adequate pairs available
• Various sizes if possible
• Good condition — no holes, tears, or degradation
• Clean and not contaminated
• Stored correctly when not in use

Common issues: Gloves with holes still in use. Only one size available. Gloves dirty or contaminated. Insufficient pairs for the team.

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Cut-resistant gloves in good condition

If knife work or glass handling requires cut-resistant gloves, check their condition.

Why this matters: Cut-resistant gloves protect against serious lacerations. Damaged gloves lose their protective properties.

What to look for:

• Gloves present and accessible
• No cuts, tears, or holes in the protective material
• Clean or washed regularly
• Correct sizes available

Common issues: Gloves damaged but still in use. Not enough gloves for all who need them. Gloves dirty and not cleaned. Wrong size causing poor fit.

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Oven gloves/heat-resistant mitts undamaged

Check condition of heat protection for handling hot items.

Why this matters: Burns from hot pans, trays, and equipment are common kitchen injuries. Heat-resistant gloves must be in good condition to protect.

What to look for:

• Oven gloves present at all cooking stations
• No holes, thin spots, or damage
• Dry (wet oven gloves conduct heat)
• Clean and not contaminated with grease
• Both left and right hands catered for

Common issues: Thin or worn gloves still in use. Wet gloves near fryers. Grease-saturated gloves. Only one glove at a station.

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Aprons clean and available

Check apron availability and condition.

Why this matters: Aprons protect clothing and skin from splashes, spills, and contamination. They need to be clean to prevent cross-contamination.

What to look for:

• Adequate aprons for all who need them
• Clean aprons available at start of shift
• No excessive damage or wear
• Waterproof aprons available if needed (dishwash, wet work)
• Aprons washed regularly

Common issues: Not enough clean aprons. Damaged aprons not replaced. No waterproof aprons for wet areas. Aprons not laundered frequently enough.

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Safety footwear in good condition (if provided)

If the organisation provides safety shoes, check their condition.

Why this matters: Safety footwear protects feet from dropped items, spillages, and slipping. Worn-out shoes lose these protective properties.

What to look for:

• If provided centrally, adequate sizes available
• Shoes in good condition — soles not worn smooth
• Toe caps intact (if safety toe)
• Clean and hygienically acceptable

Note: Many organisations require staff to provide their own suitable footwear rather than providing it. In that case, this item may not apply.

Common issues: Provided shoes worn out. Wrong sizes available. Shoes not cleaned. Staff wearing unsuitable personal shoes.

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Eye protection available (if required)

If risk assessments identify eye hazards, check eye protection availability.

Why this matters: Chemical splashes, flying debris, and intense light can cause serious eye injuries. Eye protection must be available for relevant tasks.

What to look for:

• Safety glasses or goggles available where needed
• Lenses clean and not scratched
• Straps (if goggles) in good condition
• Enough for all who may need them

Common issues: Eye protection stored far from where needed. Scratched lenses impairing vision. Not enough pairs available. Staff unaware eye protection is required.

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Hearing protection available (if required)

If noise assessments indicate requirements, check hearing protection availability.

Why this matters: Prolonged exposure to loud noise causes permanent hearing damage. Where noise levels require protection, it must be available.

What to look for:

• Ear plugs or ear defenders available
• Adequate supply (disposable plugs deplete)
• Defenders in good condition with intact seals
• Available at entry to noisy areas

Common issues: Supplies depleted. Ear defenders damaged or dirty. PPE not at point of use. Staff unaware of requirement.

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High-visibility clothing available (if required)

If work in traffic areas, delivery zones, or outdoor areas requires high-vis, check availability.

Why this matters: High-visibility clothing makes workers visible to drivers and equipment operators. It prevents being struck by vehicles.

What to look for:

• Hi-vis vests or jackets available
• Adequate quantity for all who need them
• Clean and with visible reflective strips
• Not faded or damaged

Common issues: Not enough hi-vis available. Items dirty, hiding reflective properties. Faded items no longer effective. Items not at point of use.

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PPE stored correctly when not in use

Check how reusable PPE is stored between uses.

Why this matters: Proper storage extends PPE life and maintains its protective properties. Improper storage causes degradation, contamination, and damage.

What to look for:

• Designated storage location for each type
• Protected from dust, chemicals, and physical damage
• Dry and ventilated
• Clean before storage
• Not mixed with dirty or contaminated items

Common issues: PPE left out on counters. Wet items stored damp. Clean and dirty items mixed. Storage location not maintained.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them):

• Only checking what you see — Open cupboards, check stores, count supplies
• Assuming "we have some" — Verify quantities are adequate for expected use
• Ignoring condition issues — Damaged PPE should be replaced, not continued in use
• Not checking sizes — Inadequate size range means some staff cannot use the PPE

Best practices to follow:

• Actually count stock levels, do not just verify presence
• Check the condition of reusable items, not just that they exist
• Consider size requirements for your team
• Look at where PPE is stored — is it accessible at point of use?
• Note what gets used most and maintain higher stock levels

2. Check result

Record whether PPE provision passes inspection.

Why it matters:

This creates a clear record of PPE status that can be tracked over time.

What good answers look like:

• Pass - all PPE satisfactory — Adequate stock, good condition, properly stored.
• Fail - items missing or damaged — Supplies low, items damaged, or availability issues.

How to answer this for yourself:

Consider:

• Are there adequate quantities for expected use?
• Is everything in acceptable condition?
• Are required sizes available?
• Is PPE accessible at points of use?

What triggers a fail:

• Stock levels inadequate for expected use
• Items damaged or in poor condition
• Required sizes not available
• PPE not accessible where needed
• Reusable PPE not properly cleaned

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them):

• Passing when stock is "probably enough" — If you are unsure, restock
• Ignoring minor damage — Damaged PPE should be replaced
• Accepting limited sizes — People need PPE that fits

Best practices to follow:

• Record a fail whenever restocking or replacement is needed
• The check's purpose is to catch shortfalls before they matter
• Track results to identify patterns (what runs out most often?)

3. Items to replace or restock

List any PPE items that need restocking or replacing.

Why it matters:

This creates a clear action list ensuring nothing is forgotten. It also provides purchasing data over time.

What good answers look like:

For passing checks:

• "All items adequate" or blank

For items needed:

• "Disposable gloves — 2 boxes medium, 1 box large"
• "Cut-resistant gloves — 2 pairs size L (current pair has tear)"
• "Oven mitts — replace both (worn thin)"
• "Hi-vis vest — need 2 more for increased delivery staff"

How to answer this for yourself:

For each item that triggered a fail:

• Name the item specifically
• Quantity needed
• Size if relevant
• Reason (depleted, damaged, worn, etc.)

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them):

• "Gloves needed" — Which type? What size? How many?
• Not acting on the list — Items listed need ordering
• Ordering same quantities repeatedly — If you always run out, order more

Best practices to follow:

• Be specific enough for someone else to order correctly
• Include sizes where relevant
• Order promptly after the check
• Review ordering patterns — running out every week suggests base stock is too low

What to do when PPE issues are found

Immediate actions

Low stock:

• Order replacement supplies immediately
• Consider temporary measures (borrowing from another location, emergency purchase)
• Do not let stock reach zero

Damaged items:

• Remove from use immediately
• Replace with good condition items
• Do not allow continued use of damaged PPE

Missing sizes:

• Order required sizes
• Check if staff are improvising (using wrong sizes)
• Ensure size range covers your team

Prevention

Maintain buffer stock — Do not wait until items run out Regular ordering — Establish routine replenishment Monitor usage patterns — Adjust stock levels based on actual use Staff awareness — Encourage reporting of low stock or damage

Root cause thinking

If PPE issues recur:

• Is base stock level too low?
• Are items wearing out faster than expected?
• Is PPE being wasted or misused?
• Do staff understand proper PPE use and care?

PPE that requires special attention

Disposable items

Disposable gloves, ear plugs, and other single-use items deplete continuously:

• Monitor usage rates
• Maintain higher stock levels
• Consider bulk ordering

Heat-resistant items

Oven gloves and heat-resistant aprons degrade through use:

• Check for thin spots and holes
• Replace when protection is compromised
• Do not wait for failure in use

Cut-resistant items

Cut-resistant gloves have defined lifespans:

• Inspect for cuts and abrasions
• Replace after contact with sharps
• Wash according to manufacturer guidance

Chemical-resistant items

Rubber gloves and chemical-resistant aprons:

• Check for degradation from chemical contact
• Replace if material becomes tacky, stiff, or discoloured
• Clean after use with chemicals

Common mistakes to avoid

Only checking visible items

PPE might be stored in cupboards, drawers, or back-of-house areas. Check everything, not just what is immediately visible.

Assuming staff will report shortages

People adapt to shortages rather than reporting them. Check systematically rather than relying on reports.

Ignoring size issues

PPE that does not fit will not be worn correctly. Ensure your stock includes sizes that fit your entire team.

Accepting "good enough"

Worn or damaged PPE should be replaced. "It still sort of works" is not adequate for safety equipment.

Not connecting to purchasing

The check should trigger action. Connect PPE checks to your ordering process so identified needs are addressed.

Summary

PPE condition checks verify that protective equipment is available, in good condition, and ready to protect your staff. Weekly inspections ensure:

• Disposable items are adequately stocked
• Reusable items are in good condition
• Appropriate sizes are available
• PPE is accessible at points of use
• Storage is appropriate

Remember:

• Check all PPE categories relevant to your workplace
• Verify quantities, not just presence
• Inspect condition of reusable items
• Order replacements promptly
• Remove damaged items from use
• Track patterns to improve stock management

PPE is often the last barrier between a worker and a hazard. Weekly checking ensures that barrier is always ready.