b'Right Fit, Right Protection Administration issued a final rule to revise the currentpersonal protective equipment standard inconstruction. Unlike the general industry standard,the construction industry standard did not clearlystate that PPE must adequately fit each affectedemployee. The revision requires that equipment fiteach affected employee properly to protect them fromoccupational hazards.Access to PPE that fits has longbeen a critical safety and health issue in theconstruction industry. For decades, most protectiveequipment has been designed with the average-sizedman in mind, leaving everyone else struggling withgear that doesnt fit or protect them adequately.Our new rule is critical to addressing this issue byImagine an athlete stepping into a game without the ensuring that PPE is designed to protect ALLright gearrisky right? Helmets, pads and the proper workers. When PPE fits properly, it not only providesshoes arent just accessories, theyre essential to keep the protection workers deserve but also encouragesthem safe. The workplace is no different.them to confidently use it, ensuring they can do theirPersonal protective equipment, or PPE, is designed to job safely.minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious Learn more about the personal protective equipmentworkplace injuries and illnesses. But PPE isnt one- standard in construction.size-fits-all and cannot do its job if it doesnt fit Tim Irving is the acting director of the directorate ofproperly.construction for the Occupational Safety and HealthOne of the challenges workers face in finding proper Administration. personal equipment is that it often isnt designed with By: Tim Irvingdiverse body types in mindleaving underrepresentedgroups like women in construction, smaller workers or Tim Irving is the acting director of the directorate ofthose with disabilities at an increased risk. A study construction for the Occupational Safety and Healthfrom the National Institute for Occupational Safety Administration. and Health reported that 41% of women reported Editors Note: This blog has been updated to reflecttheir PPE fit poorly, highlighting a systemic issue.information on the current construction industryIts not hard to see why. A worker in oversized gloves standard.may struggle to move their hands properly, presentingcaught-in hazards while operating machinery. Largerconstruction workers might find their harnesses aretoo tight, limiting range of motion which goes beyonddiscomfort and can take their focus away from safetyand discourage its use. The bottom line: PPE thatdoesnt fit isnt just inconvenientit puts workers atrisk. Thats why the Occupational Safety and Health 8'