On Dec. 11, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced its final rule on Personal Protective Equipment in Construction, which adds specific language requiring that employers provide PPE that properly fits construction industry workers. The change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for general industry. The final rule is effective on Jan. 13, 2025. To learn more about the final rule read OSHA’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Tim Irving, acting director of the directorate of construction at OSHA, wrote about the final rule, stating that, “Unlike the general industry standard, the construction industry standard did not clearly state that PPE must adequately fit each affected employee. The revision requires that equipment fit each affected employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards.”

On July 20, 2023, OSHA issued a proposed rule clarifying the requirements for the fit of personal protective equipment in construction. Read the DOL’s press release. ABC, as a steering committee member of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, submitted comments to OSHA in response to the PPE proposed rule on Sept. 18.

Learn more about personal protective equipment in construction.