Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the current personal protective equipment standard in construction. The agency requests comments regarding the proposed revision. Unlike the general industry and maritime standards, the current industry standard does not clearly state that PPE must adequately fit each affected employee. The proposed change would require that equipment fit each affected employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards.
Personal protective equipment is designed to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. But it cannot do its job if it doesn’t fit properly. One of the challenges facing workers with various body types and sizes, especially women in the construction industry, is finding the right PPE that works for them. A survey by The Center for Construction Research and Training found that 77% of 174 tradeswomen said they were exposed to unnecessary hazards because of ill-fitting PPE.
It’s not hard to see why. A safety manager may wear protective clothing that is too long, presenting a tripping hazard and falls while working on a job site. A carpenter may put on gloves that are too big that could get caught in machinery and later cut their hand or finger. A sprinkler fitter could ignore that their safety glasses are not properly secured, leaving them unprotected from chemicals or dust.
