Personal Protective Equipment
Selection, compatibility, fit, use, inspection, storage and the place of PPE in the hierarchy of control.
How to prepare for the CITB Operatives test
Connect hazard recognition with safe action: stop, protect, follow the site system and escalate to the right competent person.
Core concepts
Concept 1
PPE controls residual risk after elimination, substitution, engineering and collective controls have been considered.
Exam cue: Start with source and collective control before relying on a wearable barrier.
Concept 2
Equipment must be suitable for the hazard and wearer, compatible with other PPE, maintained and used as trained.
Exam cue: Check fit and compatibility, especially where eye, hearing, head and respiratory protection interact.
Concept 3
Damaged, contaminated, expired or poorly fitting PPE should be removed from use and replaced through the site system.
Exam cue: Inspect before use and follow cleaning, storage and replacement instructions.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Choosing PPE by colour or convenience instead of the assessment.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Wearing incompatible items that break the face or eye seal.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Taking contaminated PPE into clean welfare or home.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Memory anchors
Last Line, Not First
PPE supplements stronger controls and should not excuse an avoidable exposure.
Right Hazard, Right Fit
Protection works only when its rating, size and fit match the user and risk.
Compatible Together
One item must not stop another from sealing, staying secure or giving clear vision.
Check Before Wear
Look for damage, contamination, missing parts and expiry before each use.
Clean Store Replace
Follow instructions so protection is effective the next time it is needed.
Report Defects
Do not repair or continue with defective PPE unless the approved system allows it.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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