OSHA finalizes fit requirements for construction PPE

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Wednesday issued a final revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction.

The revised standard explicitly requires the equipment to properly fit any construction worker who needs it, improving protections from hazardous conditions.

PPE has been an issue for women in particular, Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health, said in a statement.

Improperly sized PPE can create hazards for workers, OSHA said, such as oversized gloves or protective clothing being caught in machinery. Such PPE can also “discourage use because of discomfort or poor fit,” the agency said.