When must head protection be provided to employees?

OSHA’s rule on head protection outlines the general requirements at 1910.135(a) which says that employers must “ensure that each affected employee wear a protective helmet when working in areas where there is potential for injury to the head from falling objects.” Under OSHA’s general requirements for personal protective equipment at 1910.132(d), it is up to the employer to “assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).” This includes, among other things, observing the work environment directly so that all of the potential hazards can be identified.