The Department of Labor has announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify the personal protective equipment standard for the construction industry, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA’s general industry and maritime standards state clearly that PPE must fit each affected employee properly, but the current standard for construction does not. The proposed change would clarify PPE must fit each employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards.
The failure of standard-sized PPE to protect physically smaller construction workers properly, as well as issues with access to properly fitting PPE, have long been concerns in the construction industry—especially for some women. The proposed rule clarifies the existing requirement; OSHA does not expect the change to increase employers’ costs or compliance burdens. The proposed revision would align the language in OSHA’s PPE standard for construction with standards for general industry and maritime.
Stakeholders can submit comments and hearing requests online using the Federal eRulemaking Portal and reference Docket No. OSHA-2019-0003. View the Federal Register notice for details. Comments and hearing requests must be submitted by Sept. 18.
