The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has completed a revision to the standard for personal protective equipment in construction. The final rule specifically requires that equipment properly fit each construction worker who needs it, thereby improving protection from hazardous conditions.
“I have spoken to construction workers, particularly women, who have spoken of personal protective equipment that did not fit or was simply not available in its size on the job site,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “PPE needs to fit properly to work. I am proud of the broad support from both employers and unions for OSHA’s efforts to make clear that employers must provide the proper PPE to every worker who needs it.”
The revision to the standard adds specific language requiring employers to provide PPE that properly fits workers in the construction industry. The change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for the general industry.
Many types of personal protective equipment must be sized to properly fit a worker. Insufficiently sized PPE may be ineffective in protecting workers; New dangers arise for the employee, e.g. B. if oversized gloves or protective clothing get caught in machines. and discourage use due to discomfort or poor fit. The issue has long been a safety concern in the industry, particularly for some women and physically smaller or larger workers.