What type of PPE must be used?

All PPE clothing and equipment should be of safe design and construction. Employers should take the fit and comfort of PPE into consideration when selecting appropriate items for their workplace. PPE that fits well and is comfortable to wear will encourage employee use of PPE. Most protective devices are available in multiple sizes and care should be taken to select the proper size for each employee. If several different types of PPE are worn together, make sure they are compatible. If PPE does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. It may not provide the level of protection desired and may discourage employee use.

OSHA requires that many categories of PPE meet or be equivalent to standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Employers who need to provide PPE must make certain that any new equipment procured meets the cited ANSI or ASTM standard incorporated by reference into the applicable OSHA standards.

Also, employers should inform employees who provide their own PPE of the employer’s selection decisions and ensure that any employee-owned PPE used in the workplace conforms to the employer’s criteria, based on the hazard assessment, OSHA requirements, and ANSI/ASTM standards.