The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Wednesday announced a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning nationwide standards for personal protective equipment in the construction industry.
OSHA said its current standard does not clearly state that PPE must fit each construction worker properly, as is the case for the administration’s current general industry and maritime standards.
The failure of standard-sized PPE to protect smaller construction workers as well as women could lead to various health and safety concerns, OSHA stated, adding that the proposed rule is unlikely to increase employer costs or create compliance burdens.
OSHA said that improperly fitted PPE, in addition to creating potential health and safety concerns, could possibly discourage employees from using such equipment in the workplace.