Fed-OSHA has proposed new regulations that would require personal protective equipment for construction workers to be properly fitting.
OSHA’s main concern is that the current standard PPE doesn’t clearly state that the equipment must fit each construction worker properly, which the general industry and maritime standards already require.
The lack of access to properly fitting PPE for smaller-framed construction workers — especially some women — has been a perennial problem, as ill-fitting gear may not protect employees properly in case of an incident. The proposed standard explicitly states that PPE must fit properly to protect workers from workplace hazards.
The proposed revision would align with the language in OSHA’s PPE standard for general industry and the maritime sector. OSHA Proposes Changes to Construction PPE Standard