OSHA is revising its PPE standard in construction concerning the fit of PPE for all employees.

Think about your coworkers for a minute; see them in your mind’s eye. They likely compromise a variety of heights and sizes, even more so if your coworkers are both men and women. All of your coworkers need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that fits well, but most are given PPE that is made for the average 6-foot, 200-pound male. Workers who are significantly below or above the average height or weight have had to deal with PPE that does not fit well…until now. In early December, OSHA issued a final rule to revise the current personal protective equipment standard in construction, revising it to add that PPE must fit every worker properly, despite the diversity of body shapes out there, in order to properly protect workers from occupational hazards.

Tucker Paving has had workers of all heights and weights—both men and women—in the three decades we have been in the paving construction industry in Central Florida. We welcome any change to OSHA rules and regulations that make workers safer.

The Importance of Properly Fitting PPE

 PPE like gloves, boots, hard hats, fall-prevention harnesses, and more must all fit properly so that those wearing them are properly protected. Before the change, the requirement 29 CFR 1926.95 stated that “PPE be provided by an employer in a reliable condition, that employee-owned PPE be adequate, and that PPE be of safe design.” OSHA added the requirement of PPE fitting properly to add clarity to the PPE fit requirement.

The importance of properly fitting PPE cannot be stressed enough. The most critical reason for providing properly fitting PPE is obviously so that it protects the worker wearing it from the occupational hazard as designed. PPE that fits improperly will not protect a worker as well as equipment that fits correctly. The equipment is more likely to slip, fall off, or even fail if it does not fit correctly.

Another reason why a proper fit is important is because PPE that is too loose or too tight is not comfortable to wear. Wearing uncomfortable PPE is both distracting for workers and makes it more likely that employees won’t wear it. PPE definitely doesn’t work if an employee isn’t even wearing it! Having properly fitting PPE will encourage employees to always wear their PPE, which is always a good thing.

Tucker Paving has three decades in the asphalt and concrete paving industry, and safety has always been our primary concern on any worksite. Contact us by calling (863) 299-2262, or use our contact form online, to inquire about your next project!