OSHA Updates PPE Fit Requirements for Construction Workers

Safety
Published

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today published a final rule revising its personal protective equipment (PPE) fit requirements for the construction industry. The revised standard will go into effect on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

According to a DOL news release, the revision to the standard adds specific language requiring that employers provide PPE that “properly fits” construction industry workers, and the change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for general industry.

The news release also states this matter has been a longstanding industry safety concernparticularly among some women and physically smaller or larger workersas improperly sized PPE can be ineffective in protecting workers, create new hazards for the worker, and discourage use because of discomfort or poor fit.

NAHB joined the Construction Industry Safety Coalition in submitting comments when OSHA first proposed the change in 2023, seeking clarification on how the agency intends to enforce the proposed changes and calling for additional guidance, as well as clearer definitions of such terms as “appropriate size,” “provides necessary protection” and PPE creating “additional safety and health hazards.”

NAHB and OSHA have multiple resources to help employers and employees understand the importance and proper use of PPE, including:

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