The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is dedicated to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing workplace safety standards. A vital part of workplace safety is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). When to use PPE and what kinds are appropriate are covered in several OSHA standards, but most regulations regarding PPE are in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I.
To help employers and employees maintain safety, this guide addresses the top five OSHA PPE violations. By understanding these common issues and implementing proactive strategies, you can reduce your risk of citations and protect your workers from harm. Learn more about OSHA's personal protective equipment requirements and how to avoid violations.
Personal protective equipment reduces worker exposure to hazards that can cause illness, injury or death, keeping them safer and healthier even in potentially dangerous environments.
Under OSHA, personal protective equipment includes the following:
To ensure effectiveness, most protective gear must meet the designated standards from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
When it comes to PPE, OSHA requires significant accountability from employers. Businesses are responsible for assessing potential hazards, providing and maintaining appropriate PPE, and training employees in its proper use and care. Employers should create a comprehensive written PPE program and review and update it annually, or more often if necessary, to address evolving workplace conditions and potential hazards.
Here are the top five OSHA PPE standards violations.
In 2024, the most cited standard for PPE violations was for respiratory protection, with 2,835 violations.
Unlike other standards requiring PPE, an employer's first goal should be to prevent air contamination rather than providing PPE to everyone. They should use control measures to avoid harmful substances, such as the following:
If employers cannot adequately control air contamination, they must provide employees with an appropriate respirator. The proper protection depends on the hazards present.
To avoid violations, establish a written protection program with worksite-specific procedures, including cleaning procedures. Ensure a good fit with fit-testing on first use, if changes are made or annually.
The second-most cited standard for PPE was for eye and face protection, specifically in the construction industry. In 2024, OSHA reported 2,007 violations of eye and face protection standards.
Many eye injuries occur because employees don't wear eye protection or wear it improperly. Fit and comfort are key, and safety glasses must include side protection when hazards include flying objects.
Standard prescription lenses don't provide enough protection. If an employee wears prescription lenses, employers must ensure their eye protection accommodates either the prescription or the lenses. This requirement means prescription eye protection or protection that fits over eyeglasses.
OSHA may include situations you might not consider hazardous, and there are specific OSHA PPE requirements for the welding and construction industries.
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 is the most recent standard for eye and face protection. Employers must protect employees from:
To avoid violations, provide each affected employee with appropriate, properly fitted protection, and make sure to enforce its use. You should assess your PPE inventory frequently to ensure it's in good condition and you have enough for everyone.
In 2024, around 64% of severe injury reports were for finger injuries, with more than 1,600 reported injuries.
Employees must wear hand protection if their hands will be at risk of:
Unlike other standards, hand protection does not need to comply with other outside standards. Instead, glove selection should be based on the specific tasks, the glove's construction and the material's performance. Additional guidance for chemical protection requires glove selection to consider the particular chemicals workers will be exposed to and the glove material's chemical resistance and other physical properties.
To avoid violations, select gloves made of appropriate materials for the hazards in your workplace, provide training on choosing the right gloves, and ensure employees use gloves when necessary.
Employers must ensure employees have protective helmets when they could be injured by falling objects or electrical shock. Workers should also wear hats to protect their heads from burns and from bumping against objects like exposed pipes.
Head protection must comply with one of three ANSI standards — ANSI Z89.1-2009, ANSI Z89.1-2003 or ANSI Z89.1-1997. Effective hard hats should be able to absorb shock and resist penetration. They must also be slow-burning and water-resistant. It's best if instructions for adjusting the helmet and replacing parts are on the hat itself.
To avoid violations, provide appropriate head protection for employees and ensure its use. Clean and inspect hard hats regularly for damage, such as cracks, holes, deformation or flaking. Replace a helmet if it experiences an impact, even if it doesn't look damaged.
Employers must ensure employees wear protective footwear to prevent injuries due to:
Protective footwear must comply with designated ASTM or ANSI standards. Appropriate footwear varies by work environment. For example, employees who may experience electrical hazards should wear nonconductive shoes. In places where static electricity poses a significant risk, employees should wear conductive footwear to discharge static safely.
As with other PPE, the key to avoiding violations is to provide proper equipment and enforce its use. Employees should inspect their footwear before each use, including the sole.
Whether you need work gloves, disposable gloves or other personal protective equipment to meet OSHA's standards, Glove America is here to help! We offer a range of high-quality PPE, including fog-resistant safety glasses and metal-detectable earplugs, as well as a comprehensive selection of gloves for every industry. From heavy-duty welding gloves to ANSI-rated cut-resistant gloves, we have the perfect solution for your workplace. Our glove specialists can help you choose the right products to protect your employees and keep your business compliant with regulations. Reach out to us today for expert advice!
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