US DOL Finalizes PPE Proper Fit Rule To Protect Site Workers from Hazards
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced recently that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration had finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction. The final rule explicitly requires the equipment to properly fit any construction worker who needs it, improving protections from hazardous conditions.
The revision to the standard adds specific language requiring that employers provide PPE that properly fits construction industry workers. The change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for general industry.
“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 Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “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.”
Many types of personal protective equipment must be sized to fit a worker properly. Improperly sized PPE can be ineffective in protecting workers by creating new hazards such as oversized gloves or protective clothing being caught in machinery and discouraging use because of discomfort or poor fit. The matter has been a longstanding industry safety concern, particularly among some women as well as among physically smaller or larger workers, OSHA officials stated.
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association reported that the new rule will take effect on Jan. 13. The new rule was created to address problematic sizing options for people who are smaller or larger than standard PPE designs. Employers must ensure that PPE, such as high visibility clothing, hard hats, gloves, safety harnesses, and protective footwear, fits each worker’s body type.
While ARTBA stated that it favors many aspects of the rule and supports its general intent, the association raised concerns as part of the broader Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) about lack of clear guidance on how to determine proper fit. The CISC warned that this gives OSHA compliance officers broad discretion without allowing contractors to know in advance if they are meeting the standard’s requirements.
The National Association of Home Builders 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.”