What are the OSHA standards that specifically require personal protective equipment (PPE)?

April 1, 2008
Nearly 140 OSHA standards require PPE across the General Industry, Shipyards, Marine Terminals, Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring, and Safety

Nearly 140 OSHA standards require PPE across the General Industry, Shipyards, Marine Terminals, Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring, and Safety and Health Regulations for Construction categories. Items that qualify as PPE under OSHA standards include personal fall arrest, eye/face protection, hand/arm protection, foot protection, respiratory protection, head protection, hearing protection, protective clothing, lifesaving equipment (i.e., life preservers, jackets) and firefighting PPE. (Editor's note: Mr. Fairfax has furnished ISEA with an unofficial list of the nearly 140 specific OSHA standards that require PPE; an electronic version is available by emailing your request to ISEA's Joe Walker, [email protected].)

Protection Update posed this question to Richard Fairfax, director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Washington, D.C.

Got a question for OSHA?

If you have a question you would like OSHA to answer in a future Protection Update, send it to Joe Walker, Protection Update editor, [email protected], or to the International Safety Equipment Association, 1901 N. Moore St., Suite 808, Arlington, VA 22209, or fax to 703-491-3304. Limit your questions to interpretations of OSHA regulations or existing programs, rather than inquiring about policy or legislation.

Sponsored Recommendations

Unleashing the Power of Stories: Level-up Safety Culture with Three Easy Storytelling Tools

Jan. 3, 2025
Effective storytelling can shape a workplace culture and improve safety, especially in times of change when risk soars, hazards multiply and human factors threaten to derail progress...

4 Resources to Get Better Safety Performances From Supervisors

Jan. 3, 2025
Here is an overview of four of the best safety resources that safety folks can use as they consider how to get better safety performances from supervisors and workplace leaders...

4 Often Overlooked Types of New Workers—and the Different Dangers They Face

Jan. 3, 2025
This blog post is an adapted excerpt from the safety guide Fitting in Fast: Making a Safe Workplace for New Hires, which examines data and best practices regarding the protection...

4 Ways Frontline Supervisors Influence Workplace Safety

Jan. 3, 2025
These four areas determine whether frontline supervisors are having a positive or negative effect on workplace safety.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!