b'How to Comply with OSHAs NewSo, does proper fit mean comfort? Most effectively safe fit? And what about universal fit items? They can carry a PPE Standardone-size-fits-all label, but still could be too baggy for smaller workers, such as women, who the standard seeks to protect.Starting this month, the agency will requireMany employers in other industries comply with the construction employers to provide workers withobligation to provide properly fitting PPE by providing properly fitting safety gear.adjustable fit PPE, Brightwell said. Employers should keep in mind, however, that even PPE sold as universal Personal protective equipment has to fit for two primaryfit may still not fit the entirety of the employee reasons, according to Jessica Bunting, director of research topopulation. practice for Silver Spring, Maryland-based CPWRtheExperts say its best to focus on what the gear itself is Center for Construction Research and Training.intended for and to keep in mind those two primary reasons PPE needs to fit. First, to work properly, gear needs to fit properly. A poorlyBecause OSHA is a safety agency, I think youve got to fitted fall harness will not protect a worker nearly as well asconnect it to safety, not necessarily comfort, Russell a well-fitted harness, Bunting said. Second, gear that is toosaid.big or too small can end up creating secondary hazards,But even with the lack of clarity, Matthew Cox, North such as a baggy vest getting caught in machinery, she said.Carolina-based partner at law firm Smith Currie Oles, says it should be obvious to any safety expert when someones Perhaps worse, if gear is too uncomfortable, workers maygear fits. forgo wearing it at all, such as doffing loose gloves thatI think its just attention to detail, like anything else, impede work.Cox said. When you have those toolbox meetings on site and you look around, its easy to see if someones gear is Starting Monday, OSHA will require constructionnot fitting.employers to provide properly fitting PPE to their workers. The new standard aligns construction with a rule already inGearing up place for general industry.In Russells experience, most of his clients already provided the right-fitting PPE for workers. He pointed to Im glad that OSHA is acknowledging that in order fortrade shows and conferences, such as the American PPE to work, it has to fit, Bunting said.Society of Safety Professionals conference, where retailers offering a variety of PPE fill the expo floor. I dont know if [the new standard] was necessary, but The rule, first announced in July 2023, applies to all kindsnow that its passed I dont think itll be harmful, Russell of PPE, such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety vests andsaid. harnesses. To comply with the rule, experts say contractorsNonetheless, experts said the addition of the rule may should read up on the standard, consult their lawyers andbring some added scrutiny to OSHA inspections or safety teams and ensure they have a wide variety of safetycitations.gear options.It will be important for employers in the construction industry to ensure that a sufficient variety of sizes of PPE A proper fitis provided, Brightwell said. By providing only larger At first glance, the rule seems pretty straightforward.sizes of PPE, employers could open themselves up to Experts say it is, with a few caveats. During the opengender discrimination claims, particularly because the new comment period, legal experts and construction employersrule is geared primarily toward women. took issue with the standard requiring gear to properly fit,Thankfully, resources abound for finding a variety of PPE as they found that term tough to define.options. For example, CPWR has a page listing options for various types of gear for various body types. Unfortunately, the new rule lacks specific guidance onAnd when it comes to complying, Cox advised not what it means to fit properly or a definition of that term sowaiting for OSHA to come to you. that employers can be assured that they are in compliance, said attorney Ashley Brightwell, partner in Atlanta-basedI think being proactive is the biggest key to success, he Alston & Birds labor and employment group.said. Phil Russell, OSHA and employment lawyer, litigator andBy: Zachary Phillips advisor for Washington, D.C.-based firm Ogletree Deakins, said that the agency noted that the properly fit guidanceThis article was originally published on an Industry Dive publication was provided for the general industry standard, which didntand legally licensed by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing result in problems.questions to legal@industrydive.com5'