The U.S. Department of Labor has finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for construction through its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This new rule mandates that PPE must properly fit any construction worker who requires it, aiming to enhance protection against hazardous conditions.
Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker highlighted issues faced by workers in the industry: “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,” he said. He emphasized the importance of proper fitting PPE, stating, “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 updated standard introduces specific language requiring employers to ensure that PPE fits correctly on construction workers. This change aligns with standards already established for general industry.
Properly sized PPE is crucial as ill-fitting equipment can fail to protect workers effectively, potentially create new hazards such as oversized gloves or clothing being caught in machinery, and discourage use due to discomfort or poor fit. The issue has been a persistent safety concern within the industry, notably affecting some women and physically smaller or larger workers.
Further information about personal protective equipment in construction and OSHA is available online.
