January 2025
January 2025
The new year is bringing a fresh resolution for PPE fit! OSHA’s new rule for construction, which took effect January 13, 2025, emphasizes the importance of properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE).
In a December 2024 news release, OSHA highlighted that improperly sized PPE can fail to protect workers effectively, create additional hazards—like oversized gloves or clothing getting caught in machinery—and discourage usage due to discomfort or poor fit.
From helmets to harnesses, this update is all about ensuring workers are safe, comfortable, and fully protected. Here’s a rundown of the new fit rule and other OSHA initiatives heading into 2025.
On December 6, 2024, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved OSHA’s new PPE rule for construction, officially published in the Federal Register on December 12. As of January 13, 2025, employers must comply with these updated guidelines.
The main change? OSHA is revising standard 1926.95 to require employers to ensure that PPE is not only designed for the job but also custom-fitted for each worker. Ill-fitting PPE is like wearing bad shoes—it’s uncomfortable and unsafe. A loose helmet or tight harness can lead to more risks. Proper fit is essential to ensuring workers are fully protected.
The comment period ended January 14, 2025. A virtual informal public hearing on the proposed rule is scheduled to begin on June 16, 2025. If you wish to provide oral testimony, submit documentary evidence, or ask questions of witnesses during the hearing, you must submit a Notice of Intention to Appear (NOITA) by May 2, 2025, using the following form: https://www.osha.gov/form/heat-rulemaking-hearing-registration. Published on August 30, 2024, the rule focuses on addressing heat hazards across general industry, construction, agriculture, and maritime sectors, whether workers are indoors or outdoors.
If the rule is finalized, employers will be required to implement a heat illness prevention plan, take steps to protect new or returning workers, provide training on heat illness prevention, and set up emergency procedures for heat-related symptoms.
To help manage heat stress, options such as cooling vests, evaporative cooling towels, cooling bandanas, portable ice packs, and water packs, are all practical solutions. And don’t worry—OSHA’s rulemaking process will continue well into 2025, so stay tuned for more updates as they fine-tune this hot topic.
2024 was a busy year for head protection, and 2025 is set to keep the momentum going! Following OSHA’s lead from the end of 2023, more companies continued to switch to Type II safety helmets. As a reminder, Type I protects against impacts to the top of the head, and Type II covers both top and side impacts — ideal for construction and environments with multiple head hazards. Hard hats with a forward-extending bill or full brim also offer more protection, as they can help shield the face from falling debris.
With these new changes on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of better safety and smarter PPE choices. Whether it’s ensuring your gear fits just right or tackling heat illness, OSHA is paving the way for a safer, more efficient workplace. Stay tuned as these exciting updates unfold!
Protect your workers from hazards with quality, comfortable J. J. Keller® SAFEGEAR® PPE. Choose from a full line of protection for: head, eyes and face, hearing, hands, and feet. Plus, guard against cold and heat with our seasonal gear.
*Excludes FR/AR apparel.
Offer expires 2/5/25.