davidr43229
Senior Member
- Location
- Columbus, Oh
? On November 14, 2007 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) announced a new rule clarifying the employer/employee
responsibilities for payment of personal protective equipment (PPE).
? The final rule requires employers to pay for almost all personal protective
equipment that is required by OSHA?s general industry, construction, and
maritime standards. Employers already pay for approximately 95% of these
types of PPE.
? This action creates a clear and consistent policy across OSHA?s standards,
reducing confusion about the items for which employers are required to pay,
and it reduces workplace injury, illness, and death - OSHA estimates that the
rule will result in 21,000 fewer injuries per year.
? The final rule does not create new requirements regarding what PPE
employers must provide. It does not require payment for uniforms, items
worn to keep clean, or other items that are not PPE.
? The final rule contains exceptions for certain ordinary protective equipment,
such as safety-toe footwear, prescription safety eyewear, everyday clothing
and weather-related gear, and logging boots.
? The final rule also clarifies OSHA?s intent regarding employee-owned PPE,
and replacement PPE:
It provides that, if employees choose to use PPE they own, employers
will not need to reimburse the employees for the PPE. The standard
also makes clear that employers cannot require employees to provide
their own PPE and the employee?s use of PPE they already own must
be completely voluntary. Even when an employee provides his or her
own PPE, the employer must ensure that the equipment is adequate to
protect the employee from hazards at the workplace.
It also requires that the employer pay for replacement PPE used to
comply with OSHA standards. However, when an employee has lost or
intentionally damaged PPE, the employer is not required to pay for its
replacement.
? The rule provides an enforcement deadline of six months from the date of
publication to allow employers time to change their existing PPE payment
policies to comply with the final rule
(OSHA) announced a new rule clarifying the employer/employee
responsibilities for payment of personal protective equipment (PPE).
? The final rule requires employers to pay for almost all personal protective
equipment that is required by OSHA?s general industry, construction, and
maritime standards. Employers already pay for approximately 95% of these
types of PPE.
? This action creates a clear and consistent policy across OSHA?s standards,
reducing confusion about the items for which employers are required to pay,
and it reduces workplace injury, illness, and death - OSHA estimates that the
rule will result in 21,000 fewer injuries per year.
? The final rule does not create new requirements regarding what PPE
employers must provide. It does not require payment for uniforms, items
worn to keep clean, or other items that are not PPE.
? The final rule contains exceptions for certain ordinary protective equipment,
such as safety-toe footwear, prescription safety eyewear, everyday clothing
and weather-related gear, and logging boots.
? The final rule also clarifies OSHA?s intent regarding employee-owned PPE,
and replacement PPE:
It provides that, if employees choose to use PPE they own, employers
will not need to reimburse the employees for the PPE. The standard
also makes clear that employers cannot require employees to provide
their own PPE and the employee?s use of PPE they already own must
be completely voluntary. Even when an employee provides his or her
own PPE, the employer must ensure that the equipment is adequate to
protect the employee from hazards at the workplace.
It also requires that the employer pay for replacement PPE used to
comply with OSHA standards. However, when an employee has lost or
intentionally damaged PPE, the employer is not required to pay for its
replacement.
? The rule provides an enforcement deadline of six months from the date of
publication to allow employers time to change their existing PPE payment
policies to comply with the final rule