The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a revision to federal regulations for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the construction industry. The proposed rule explicitly states that PPE must properly fit each employee. This clarification aims to address issues where ill-fitted PPE might not provide adequate protection. OSHA officials believe that this revision will not impose additional costs on employers and is intended to improve safety. While many contractors are already providing properly fitted PPE, this rule change could benefit workers who do not meet standard sizes, such as women and smaller-statured individuals. OSHA is accepting comments on the proposal until September 18, 2023.
