The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for construction. The final rule explicitly requires the equipment to properly fit any construction worker who needs it, improving protection from hazardous conditions.

“I’ve talked to workers in construction, particularly women, who have spoken of personal protective equipment that didn’t fit or was simply unavailable at the jobsite in their size,” says Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “PPE must fit properly to work. I’m proud of the broad support from both employers and unions for OSHA’s efforts to make clear that employers must provide the right PPE for each worker who needs it.”

The revision to the standard adds specific language requiring that employers provide PPE that properly fits construction industry workers. The change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for general industry.

Many types of personal protective equipment must be sized to fit a worker properly. Improperly sized PPE can be ineffective in protecting workers; create new hazards for the worker, such as oversized gloves or protective clothing being caught in machinery; and discourage use because of discomfort or poor fit. The matter has been a longstanding industry safety concern, particularly among some women as well as among physically smaller or larger workers. 

NEW NUMBERS

Standard Number 1926.28 – Personal protective equipment.

  • 1926.28(a): The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees. 
  • 1926.28(b): Regulations governing the use, selection, and maintenance of personal protective and lifesaving equipment are described under Subpart E of this part. 

Standard Number 1926.95 – Criteria for personal protective equipment.

  • 1926.95(a) Application: Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.
  • 1926.95(b) Employee-owned equipment: Where employees provide their own protective equipment, the employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance, and sanitation of such equipment.
  • 1926.95(c) Design and selection: Employers must ensure that all personal protective equipment:
    • 1926.95(c)(1) Is of safe design and construction for the work to be performed; and
    • 1926.95(c)(2) Is selected to ensure that it properly fits each affected employee.
  • 1926.95(d)(1) Payment for protective equipment. Except as provided by paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(6) of this section, the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, shall be provided by the employer at no cost to employees. 

for more information

For more, visit www.osha.gov.