PPE Fit for Employees - Now a Requirement

A new PPE requirement for construction will be going into effect mid-January 2025. While providing PPE to employees has already been the responsibility of the employer, the new requirement mandates that employers must also ensure construction PPE fits properly.

The final rule (available here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/12/2024-29220/personal-protective-equipment-in-construction) summarizes some of the hazards that can come from PPE not fitting properly:

"In some cases, ill-fitting PPE may not protect an employee at all, and in other cases it may present additional hazards to that employee and to employees who work around them. For example:

• Sleeves of protective clothing that are too long or gloves that do not fit properly may make it difficult to use tools or operate equipment, putting the wearer and other workers at risk of exposure to hazards, or may get caught in machinery, resulting in injuries to the wearer such as fractures or amputations. 
• The legs of protective garments that are too long could cause tripping hazards for the worker with the improperly fitting PPE and could also impact others working near that worker. 
• Protective clothing that is too small may increase a worker's exposure to hazards by, for example, providing insufficient coverage from dangerous machinery or hazardous substances. 
• The issue of improperly fitting PPE is particularly important for smaller construction workers, including some women, who may not be able to use currently existing standard-size PPE. 
• Fit problems can also affect larger workers, and standard-size PPE does not always accommodate varying body shapes."

It's been a long road to recognizing the issues with one-size-fits-all PPE. With the change, it would be a good idea for companies to inventory their current PPE over the off season and stock up on different sizes as needed prior to the beginning of construction season in spring 2025.