Get Your PPE Inspection Checklist Template

Common items you will see on a PPE inspection form

PPE checklists are commonly used by supervisors or safety officers. They will go down the checklist before a shift or at specific job sites. Companies increasingly use digital checklists (on phones or tablets) to make it simpler to conduct these checks and keep accurate records.

Depending on the job or industry, a PPE checklist might include:

• Hard hat: Inspect for cracks, dents, or UV damage. Ensure it fits snugly and the suspension system is intact. Replace if it’s past its service life or damaged.
• Safety glasses/goggles: Check lenses for scratches, cracks, or fogging. Ensure side shields are attached if required. Clean regularly to maintain visibility.
• Hearing protection: Verify earplugs or earmuffs are appropriate for the noise level. Disposable plugs should be clean and unused; earmuffs should have no cracks in the padding.
• Gloves: Make sure gloves are the right type for the job (e.g., cut-resistant, chemical-resistant, heat-resistant). Inspect for holes, tears, or wear.
• High-visibility vest or clothing: Check that reflective strips are clean and not faded. Vest should be the right class (e.g., Class 2 or 3) based on the jobsite.
• Steel-toe boots: Inspect for cracks in the soles, worn tread, or damage to the toe cap. Laces should be in good condition, and boots should fit securely.
• Respirators/masks: Ensure the correct type is being used (e.g., N95, half-face, full-face). Check for proper fit, no air leaks, and that filters or cartridges are up to date.
• Fall protection gear: Check harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points for fraying, cuts, rust, or missing components. Ensure gear is certified and hasn’t expired.
• Fire-resistant clothing: Ensure garments are clean (no flammable residues), in good condition, and properly labeled as FR-rated. No holes or tears that could compromise protection.
• Face shield: Look for scratches or cracks in the visor. Must be clean and securely attached to a headband or helmet. Used in combination with safety glasses for tasks involving grinding or cutting.

Below is a sample of a PPE checklist inspection form built using the Forms On Fire no-code platform. Click on the images to enlarge them.

What happens if some PPE doesn’t pass the inspection?

If any piece of PPE is damaged, expired, or doesn’t meet safety standards, it should be pulled from service immediately. Ideally, defective gear would be tagged with a “Do Not Use” label and set aside in a designated area so it doesn’t accidentally get reused.

Then, usually someone from the safety team, would be assigned to either repair it (if it makes sense) or dispose of it and order a new one (if needed).

If your team uses digital forms or checklists (like the ones Forms On Fire provides), you can build in a trigger that sends a reorder notification or flags the safety team when something fails inspection.

Build your PPE inspections checklist template with Forms On Fire

PPE inspection is not a particularly hard form to build, there are many other safety forms that are significantly more complex.

Still, creating it from scratch can be time-consuming. 

No-code platforms like Forms On Fire provide a variety of professionally designed and compliant templates that you can easily customize to fit your needs. These templates are mobile-friendly and will save you the trouble of figuring out formatting, layout, or what checks or questions to include.

Here’s what you can do:

• Start a free trial of Forms On Fire
• Find the PPE inspection checklist template: Browse the available templates in our database and select one that fits your requirements. We have two relevant templates for PPE inspections, aptly named PPE Safety Inspection and Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment.
• Customize the template: If you want, you can adjust the fields to reflect your operational or legal requirements, and tweak the design to suit your branding or accessibility preferences.
• Test the form: Share it with team members for feedback and make any necessary adjustments.

Once you experience how much less administrative work you have when conducting safety checks using digital forms, you will never want to go back to paper forms or spreadsheets.