Question of the Week: Employer Provided PPE
Q. As an employer in a hazardous work environment, do I always have to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for my employees or can I deduct the cost of new and replacement equipment from their wages?
A. Under OSHA rules at 29 CFR 1910.132(d), employers are required to assess the hazards in their workplace, and if any hazards cannot be removed or otherwise mitigated the employer must provide PPE to employees to protect them from likely hazards. PPE includes but is not limited to, eye protection such as safety glasses, head protection such as helmets, hand protection such as gloves, and face masks or respiratory protection.
At 29 CFR 1910.132(h), OSHA explains that when an employer issues PPE to employees in order to comply with OSHA safety regulations, the employer must provide the equipment at no cost to the employee. The only equipment that employers do not have to pay for are:
OSHA Directive # CPL 02-01-050. Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry. February 10, 2011.
A. Under OSHA rules at 29 CFR 1910.132(d), employers are required to assess the hazards in their workplace, and if any hazards cannot be removed or otherwise mitigated the employer must provide PPE to employees to protect them from likely hazards. PPE includes but is not limited to, eye protection such as safety glasses, head protection such as helmets, hand protection such as gloves, and face masks or respiratory protection.
At 29 CFR 1910.132(h), OSHA explains that when an employer issues PPE to employees in order to comply with OSHA safety regulations, the employer must provide the equipment at no cost to the employee. The only equipment that employers do not have to pay for are:
- Nonspecialty safety-toe footwear (i.e. steel-toe boots), or nonspecialty prescription safety eyewear provided these items can be worn offsite,
- Safety-toe footwear if the employer provides other metatarsal guards,
- Logging boots,
- Everyday clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and normal work boots,
- Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather (i.e. winter coats, sunscreen),
- Replacement PPE when the employee loses or intentionally damages the PPE, or
- PPE owned by an employee when the employer allows the use of that equipment in lieu of PPE that the employer would otherwise purchase.
OSHA Directive # CPL 02-01-050. Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry. February 10, 2011.
Tags: osha
Find a Post
Recent Posts
Compliance Archives
Download Our Latest Whitepaper
This guide will help you identify 25 of the most -cited errors in RCRA training, recordkeeping, hazardous waste ID, container management, universal waste, and laboratories.
By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.