How often should PPE be inspected for damage before use?

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Inspecting PPE before each use is essential to ensure it will function properly when you need it. PPE can suffer damage from recent handling, storage conditions, or wear that isn’t obvious until you take a closer look. A quick pre-use check catches cracks, tears, loose fittings, missing components, or degraded materials right before you rely on it in a safety-critical task. For example, a protective glove with a small tear can fail under stress, a helmet with a hidden crack can crack further under impact, or a respirator with a worn seal can let in contaminated air. By examining everything prior to donning it, you confirm it is still serviceable and ready to protect you.

Choosing a weekly or daily routine isn’t enough to guarantee safety, since damage can occur at any time between inspections. Waiting until you suspect damage also risks using compromised equipment. Inspecting before every use keeps PPE reliable and reduces the chance of equipment failure during a hazardous operation.