On December 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a significant update to its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
standards for the construction industry. Effective January 13, 2025, this new rule explicitly requires employers to provide PPE that properly fits each construction worker, aligning the construction standards with those already established for general industry.
Properly fitting PPE is crucial for ensuring worker safety. Ill-fitting equipment can be ineffective and may introduce new hazards, such as oversized gloves or protective clothing becoming entangled in machinery. This issue has been a longstanding concern, particularly among women and workers with smaller or larger body sizes, who often find standard PPE sizes inadequate.
The revised standard mandates that employers assess the fit of PPE for each worker and provide appropriately sized equipment. This includes items like hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators, coveralls, vests, and harnesses. Employers are encouraged to consult OSHA’s guidelines and collaborate with PPE manufacturers to ensure a range of sizes and adjustable options are available to meet the diverse needs of their workforce.
By implementing this rule, OSHA aims to enhance safety and inclusivity in the construction industry, ensuring that all workers have access to PPE that offers effective protection against workplace hazards.
