PPE IN CONSTRUCTION: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

An excerpt from Honeywell’s latest white paper on new OSHA Proper Fit Ruling

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is indispensable in safeguarding construction workers from a myriad of workplace hazards. However, improperly sized PPE has been a longstanding issue, particularly among women and physically smaller or larger workers.

Ill-fitting PPE can be ineffective, create new safety risks, and discourage its use due to discomfort. For example, Occupational Health & Safety Magazine explains the hazards of improperly fitted gloves:

“The glove could slip off at the worst time, exposing the hand to an edge or impact. A loose glove could compromise a worker’s grip and cause them to drop a heavy load. If gloves are too tight or too loose, they can diminish tactile sensitivity, leading to errors in handling machinery or pressing control panel buttons.”¹

THE NEW OSHA PPE RULING FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Effective January 13, 2025, OSHA’s new rule explicitly requires that PPE must properly fit construction workers. OSHA stated in the proposed rule that improperly fitting PPE can be uncomfortable for the wearer, which in turn can lead workers to modify or disregard the PPE and become vulnerable to a hazard (81 FR 46711). This revision aligns the construction industry’s standards with those already in place for general industry. The rule is a response to growing awareness and advocacy for more inclusive and effective protective measures, ensuring all workers have access to PPE that fits their specific body dimensions.

Read more in Honeywell’s new white paper about the new OSHA ruling.

¹https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2024/06/11/Why-One-Size-Fits-All-Is-Wrong.aspx

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