Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is one of OSHA's most-cited standards year after year, ranking in the top 10 most-violated standards consistently. The basics are straightforward: assess hazards, select appropriate PPE, train employees on use, and pay for it (with limited exceptions). The compliance failures are usually in the assessment and training: employers know PPE is required but don't document the hazard assessment that justified the specific selection, or don't train employees properly on fit and use.

What OSHA's PPE Standard Requires

Hazard assessment of the workplace. Selection of appropriate PPE based on hazards. Training on proper use, fit, care, and limitations. Verification that training is complete. Replacement of damaged or worn PPE. Employer payment in most cases (with narrow exceptions for ordinary safety footwear and prescription safety glasses).

Common PPE Categories

Head protection: hard hats. Eye/face: safety glasses, goggles, face shields. Hand: gloves matched to the specific hazard. Foot: safety shoes/boots. Respiratory: respirators, requires medical evaluation and fit testing. Hearing: ear plugs or muffs. Body: aprons, coveralls, hi-vis clothing.

Employer Pay-for-PPE Rules

OSHA's 2008 rule clarified that employers must pay for required PPE in most cases. Exceptions: ordinary safety toe protective footwear and prescription safety eyewear that the employee can take off-site. Specialty PPE for specific tasks must be employer-paid.

Building PPE Compliance Into Your Safety Program

Conduct and document the hazard assessment. Select PPE based on the assessment. Train at onboarding and at any change. Audit usage in the field, not just on paper. Coordinate with hazard communication standard for chemical hazards and workplace violence prevention. OSHA reference: osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment.