OnlinePPE Course

Online PPE Training

The Echo3 online PPE course teaches workers how to select, use, maintain and store personal protective equipment correctly.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any device or clothing designed to protect the wearer from workplace hazards: hard hats, safety boots, gloves, high-visibility clothing, eye protection, hearing defenders, respiratory masks and safety harnesses. PPE is the last line of defence in the hierarchy of controls, used when hazards cannot be fully eliminated by other means. It is required across construction, manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, laboratories and any environment where workers face physical, chemical or biological risks.

Trained workers understand which PPE is appropriate for the hazard, how to fit and wear it correctly, and when to replace it. Employers get documented proof that staff have received structured PPE training as required under UK regulations.

Why PPE Training Matters

Workplace injuries remain a persistent and costly problem across every sector in Great Britain, and incorrect or missing PPE is a contributing factor in many preventable incidents.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, an estimated 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work in 2024/25. The most common causes, slips, trips and falls (30%), handling and lifting (17%), and being struck by a moving object (10%), are all hazard types where correctly selected and worn PPE reduces the severity of injury or prevents it entirely.

Employers who fail to provide suitable PPE, ensure staff are trained in its use, or maintain adequate records face HSE enforcement action, improvement notices, prosecution, and increased liability in the event of an injury claim.

Legal Requirements for PPE Training

Employers must assess workplace hazards, provide suitable PPE where risks cannot be controlled by other means, and ensure that every worker who uses PPE has received adequate training.

• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022): require employers to provide PPE that is suitable for the hazard, ensure it fits correctly, maintain and replace it as necessary, and provide training and information on its use. The April 2022 amendment extended these duties to include limb workers, not just employees.
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: the overarching duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by the work, including the provision of safe systems of work and protective equipment.
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: require employers to carry out risk assessments that determine where PPE is needed and what type is appropriate for the identified hazards.

The Echo3 PPE course is written in compliance with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended). Every completion is stored in the Echo3 LMS, giving managers a clear record for compliance checks and HSE inspections.

Who Should Take the PPE Course Online

This course is for anyone whose work requires them to wear or supervise the use of personal protective equipment.

• Construction workers, site operatives and tradespeople required to wear hard hats, safety boots, high-visibility clothing or harnesses.
• Manufacturing, warehouse and logistics staff who use gloves, eye protection, hearing defenders or respiratory equipment.
• Supervisors, safety officers and managers responsible for selecting PPE, maintaining stock and ensuring compliance across teams.

It suits new starters being inducted into PPE-required environments, experienced workers refreshing their knowledge, and organisations documenting compliance with the PPE at Work Regulations. For hazard-specific training on eye and hand protection, Echo3 also offers Eye Safety Awareness and Hand Safety Awareness courses.

CPD-Accredited PPE Training

The Echo3 PPE course is accredited by the CPD Group. The certificate supports site inductions, workplace compliance audits, contractor procurement checks and documented evidence that staff have received training on the selection, use and maintenance of PPE.

Course Format and Duration

Video-led modules covering: introduction to PPE and its role in the hierarchy of controls, types of PPE for different workplace hazards, and safe use including fitting, maintenance, removal and storage; each with interactive knowledge checks. Self-paced, accessible on any device. Most learners complete in approximately 25 minutes.

Certificate and Compliance

On passing, learners receive a QR code-protected, CPD-accredited certificate, valid for three years. All records are stored in the Echo3 LMS for employer access during audits and compliance reviews.

Echo3 – The Smarter Way to Train

Echo3 delivers fully online safety training with learner tracking, certification management, and compliance records, all from one dashboard. Combine this course with Echo3’s Risk Assessment, COSHH Awareness, Noise Awareness and Manual Handling courses for a structured approach to workplace hazard management and compliance.

Investing in PPE training ensures workers select and use protective equipment correctly, reduce preventable injuries, and give employers documented proof that the last line of defence is properly understood.