No — OSHA exempts everyday work clothing and or other items used solely for protection from the weather. You do not have to pay for everyday clothing even though you may require your employees to wear such items as long pants or long-sleeve shirts. This clothing may have some protective value, but OSHA does not consider it to be PPE.

Yes — You may have a situation where PPE is required, and you do provide it at no cost, but the employee wants to use their own PPE. You can allow a worker to use their protective equipment if you determine it will provide adequate protection. You do not have to reimburse the employee for it.

OSHA clarifies that you must not require employees to provide or pay for their own necessary PPE. This prevents employers from avoiding their obligations by requiring workers to purchase PPE as a condition of employment.

No — The rule requires you to pay for the equipment when you first issue it and when you replace it. Damaged or worn-out PPE does not provide adequate protection. According to OSHA, PPE is more likely to be replaced promptly when the employer pays for it.

The rule also does not prohibit you from charging workers for replacement PPE when they fail to bring it back to the workplace. You do not have to pay for replacement PPE when the worker has lost or intentionally damaged it.

Yes — OSHA 1926.95 currently requires employers to ensure PPE is of safe design and construction. However, it leaves ambiguity about the proper fit of PPE. The result is that workers often must choose among standardized PPE that does not fit properly or protect them from hazards adequately. For example, smaller construction workers like women may not be adequately protected with standard PPE sizes.

Ill-fitting PPE, such as standardized fall protection harness sizes, can also affect larger workers. So, yes, you must ensure workers’ PPE fits well and is comfortable. OSHA is working to make this clear in its standard. As of July 20, 2023, OSHA is working to update its standard to clarify employers must ensure PPE fits properly and is comfortable.

The top questions we receive about PPE relate to designing effective programs, ensuring PPE fits and is comfortable, paying for PPE, and ensuring compliance for voluntary usage.

If in doubt about a PPE compliance issue, refer to the regulations or consult a compliance expert. It’s better to be safe (and keep employees safe) than sorry!