Modern Contractor Solutions February 2025 - 26

equipment solution
OSHA
DOL Finalizes Rule on PPE
proper fit requirements for personal protective equipment
By Patrick Malone
T
he 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:
for more information
For more, visit www.osha.gov.
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.
26
FEBRUARY 2025
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Modern Contractor Solutions February 2025

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