OSHA’s New Personal Protective Equipment Updated Rule

  • OSHA Compliance

OSHA’s New Personal Protective Equipment Updated Rule

PPE including hard hat, boots, safety glasses, muffs, and gloves
On January 13, 2025, OSHA’s revised PPE Rule will go into effect in the first quarter of the new year. The rule revision has been in the work since 2011 when the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) passed a motion recommending Federal OSHA use the Standards Improvement Project-Phase IV (SIP-IV) rulemaking to update the Construction PPE Standards to mirror the General Industry requirements.

OSHA’s Updated PPE Rule: Understanding the Changes to 29 CFR 1926.95(c)

OSHA revised existing Standard, 29 CFR 1926.95(c) which currently states:

Design. All personal protective equipment shall be safe design and construction for the work to be performed.

The new language for the standard will most likely be listed as:

1926.95(c) Employers must ensure all personal protective equipment:

1926.95(c)(1) Is of safe design and construction for the work to be performed; and

1926.95(c)(2) Is selected to ensure that is properly fits each affected employee.

What Employers Need to Know About OSHA’s Revised PPE Standards

As an employer, you should know OSHA had a few comment periods including input from their ACCSH stakeholders that help shape what the standard looks like above. Most comments were in favor of the new revision to the construction PPE standard and there was not much opposition. For enforcement-related concerns, OSHA believed that the preamble to the final rule adequately explains what OSHA expects from employers; to select PPE for their workers that is appropriately designed and sized to adequately protect them from hazards without creating additional hazards.

Comfort and Fit: Key Factors in OSHA’s New PPE Requirements

An area within the final rule is comfortability and it is an important aspect when deciding what PPE should be provided to employees. For employers, it is not uncommon to hear employees state PPE is uncomfortable especially for those that have not used it in the past or because of the work performed requires it. OSHA’s position is clear that comfort is important when selecting PPE for employees as they are more likely to use it and not opt to discard it all together. While comfort is a factor to consider, OSHA cannot simply issue a citation because PPE that properly fits is uncomfortable.

Get Expert Guidance on OSHA’s Updated PPE Rule with Premier Risk Management

If you or your company has any questions regarding the updated rule change, Premier Risk Management can help. Our highly trained staff are available to answer a question or possibly help ensure your current safety and health plan is updated to reflect the new change.
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Jessie Atencio

Mr. Atencio serves as the General Manager at Premier Risk Management, overseeing operations with nearly two decades of experience in managing the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health OSHA State Plan. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health, he holds certifications including Registered Safety Professional, IBOEHS, Construction Safety and Health Technician, BCSP, and Certified EHS Manager, ISO 45001. His expertise spans executing business strategies, implementing safety plans, and ensuring compliance with OSHA and consensus standards.
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