The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Dec. 11 that OSHA has finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction that requires equipment properly fit any construction worker who needs it.
“I’ve talked to workers in construction, particularly women, who have spoken of personal protective equipment that didn’t fit or was simply unavailable at the jobsite in their size,” said Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, in a news release. “PPE must fit properly to work. I’m proud of the broad support from both employers and unions for OSHA’s efforts to make clear that employers must provide the right PPE for each worker who needs it.”
The change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for general industry.
Improperly sized PPE can be ineffective in protecting workers, create new hazards and discourge use because of discomfort or poor fit. The new standard aims to address longstanding concerns among women and physically smaller or larger workers.