OSHA has issued its final rule on employer payment for personal protective equipment (PPE). Under the new rule, all required PPE, with a few exceptions, must be provided at no cost to the employee.
The new rule goes into effect on Feb. 13, 2008, and employers must implement its provisions by May 15, 2008.
Examples under the new rule
Employers do NOT have to pay for:
- Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (e.g., steel-toe shoes/ boots)
- Non-specialty prescription safety eyewear / Sunglasses/sunscreen
- Sturdy work shoes / Lineman's boots /Logging boots required under Sec. 1910.266(d)(1)(v)
- Ordinary cold weather gear (coats, parkas, cold weather gloves, winter boots)
- Back belts
- Long sleeve shirts / pants
- Dust mask/respirators used under the voluntary use provisions in Sec.1910.134.
- More at J. J. Keller
Employers DO have to pay for:
- Foot protection
- Non-prescription eye protection
- Prescription eyewear inserts
- Goggles / Face shields
- Fire fighting PPE (helmet, gloves, boots, proximity suits, full gear)
- Hard hats / Hearing protection / Welding PPE
- Items used in medical/laboratory settings to protect from exposure to infectious agents
- Rubber sleeves / Aluminized gloves
- Chemical resistant gloves/aprons/clothing / Barrier creams
- More at J. J. Keller
