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 OSHA
Standards Update
Employers Must Provide All Personal Protective
Equipment
at
No Cost to Their Employees
OSHA is requiring employers to pay for the PPE used to
comply with OSHA standards, with only a few exceptions. The final
ruling
went into effect on Feb. 13, 2008 with enforcement to begin on
May 15, 2008. The rule will create a clear policy across OSHA’s
standards, thus reducing confusion among employers and employees
concerning the PPE that employers must provide at no cost to employees.
The good news is that many employers already pay for the PPE for
their employees. When employers take full responsibility for providing
PPE to their employees and paying for it, they are more likely
to make sure that the PPE is correct for the job, that it is in
good condition, and that everyone is protected.
*A partial list of employer purchased and provided PPE:
•
Non-prescription eye protection, safety glasses
•
Goggles
•
Face shields
•
Hard hats
•
Hearing protection
•
Respiratory protection
•
Fall protection
•
Welding PPE
•
Reflective work vests
•
Bump caps
•
Mesh cut-proof gloves
•
Metatarsal foot protection including attachable guards
*A partial list of PPE and other items exempted from the employer
payment requirements:
•
Safety-toe protective footwear
•
Non-specialty prescription safety eyewear
•
Sturdy work shoes
•
Ordinary cold weather clothing and rain gear
•
Ordinary work clothes
OSHA does encourage employers to pay for these PPE, given the
safety benefits OSHA finds when employers are responsible for providing
and paying for PPE.
* This is only a summary and general list of PPE. Please refer
to the complete OSHA standards and requirements online at www.osha.gov.
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