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PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Requirements

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a critical role in safeguarding workers across various industries. From construction sites to healthcare facilities, ensuring employees are properly equipped with the right protective gear can make the difference between safety and injury.

What is PPE?

PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. Workplace injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. PPE may include items such as:

  • Gloves
  • Safety Glasses
  • Safety Shoes/Boots
  • Earplugs/Earmuffs
  • Hard Hats
  • Respirators
  • Coveralls
  • And, High Visibility Safety Vests

General Requirements

Personal protective equipment must be safely designed and constructed, and be maintained in a clean and reliable way. PPE must fit the worker properly and comfortably. If the equipment does not fit properly, try to adjust or replace it.

When engineering controls, work practices, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, the employer must provide PPE to workers and ensure it’s proper use.

Training

Employers are required to train employees to know:

  • When PPE is necessary
  • What kind is necessary
  • How to properly put on, adjust, wear, and take off PPE
  • The limitations of the equipment
  • And, the proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of equipment

If and when PPE is used, the employer shall implement a PPE program. This program should address topics, including:

  • Present hazards
  • Selection, maintenance, and use of PPE
  • Training of employees
  • And, monitoring of the program to ensure effectiveness

Responsibilities

The employer is responsible for:

  • Performing a hazard assessment of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards
  • Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees
  • Training of employees
  • Maintaining safety equipment, including replacing damaged or worn equipment
  • And, periodically reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program

The worker is responsible for:

  • Properly wearing PPE
  • Attending training sessions
  • Caring for, cleaning, and maintaining the equipment
  • And, informing the supervisor of safety equipment in need of repairs or replacement

Payment

OSHA requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment used to comply with OSHA standards, with exceptions. Under OSHA, employers MUST PAY for:

  • Metatarsal foot protection
  • Rubber boots with steel toes
  • Non-prescription eye protection
  • Prescription eyewear inserts/lenses for full face respirators
  • Goggles and face shields
  • Fire fighting safety equipment, such as helmet, gloves, boots, proximity suits, and full gear
  • Hard hats
  • Hearing protection
  • And, welding PPE

In certain circumstances, employers are NOT responsible to pay for:

  • Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear; including steel-toe boots or boots
  • Non-specialty prescription safety eyewear
  • Everyday clothing, such as long sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots
  • Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items used solely for weather protection, including winter coats, jackets, gloves, rubber boots, raincoats, etc.
  • Hair nets and gloves worn by food workers for consumer safety
  • And, lifting belts

*Employers are NOT required to pay for PPE when an employee has lost or intentionally damaged the equipment and it must be replaced.*

Conclusion

Understanding and adhering to personal protective equipment requirements is essential for maintaining safety and compliance in any workplace. Whether you’re working in healthcare, construction, or any other industry, proper personal protective equipment can prevent injuries, reduce risks, and safeguard your well-being. Employers must ensure their workers are equipped with the right safety equipment, while employees should always prioritize wearing it correctly. Regular training, equipment checks, and a culture of safety can go a long way in creating a safer work environment for everyone.

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