OSHA rule on PPE fit requirements is under White House review

Washington — OSHA’s final rule on fit requirements for personal protective equipment in construction is undergoing a final review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

The rule, sent to OIRA on Nov. 13, would align 1926.95 with PPE fit requirements in OSHA’s general industry and maritime standards. For example, 1910.132(d)(1)(iii) requires employers to “select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.”

Currently, 1926.95(c) requires PPE only to “be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed.” 

OSHA published a proposed rule on the requirements in July 2023 and says the “failure of standard-sized PPE to protect physically smaller construction workers properly, as well as problems with access to properly fitting PPE, have long been safety and health concerns in the construction industry, especially for some women.”

The agency expects that the change won’t “increase employers’ costs or compliance burdens.”