The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule to clarify the standard for personal protective equipment for the construction industry.
The present standard, according to the DOL, does not clearly state that PPE must fit each worker properly. In contrast, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s general industry and maritime PPE standards do have clear standards. The proposed update will clarify “that PPE must fit each employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards” (Dept. of Labor).
Standard-size PPE fails to protect smaller construction workers properly because it does not fit their bodies properly, thereby resulting in safety and health concerns in the construction industry. The proposed revision aligns OSHA’s PPE standard for construction with standards for the general and maritime industries.
OSHA does not expect the standard change to increase employer’s cost or compliance burdens.
“If personal protective equipment does not fit properly, an employee may be unprotected or dangerously exposed to hazards and face tragic consequences,” explained Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker.
PPE must fit properly to provide adequate protection to employees.
According to the Dept. of Labor, “Improperly fitting PPE may fail to provide any protection to an employee, present additional hazards, or discourage employees from using such equipment in the workplace.”
United Tool and Fastener carries a broad variety of PPE including masks, gloves, face shields, glasses, harnesses and other products from companies such as Protective Industrial Products, DeWalt, Werner, and Milwaukee. To buy PPE equipment for a job site or other work, please contact a local UT&F showroom in Houston at 713-692-2323; in San Antonio at 210-495-8665; or College Station at 979-731-8665.
