Personal Protective

Equipment

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3151-12R

2004
Employers are responsible for providing a 

safe and healthy workplace for their employees.

OSHA’s role is to promote the safety and health

of America’s working men and women by 

setting and enforcing standards; providing 

training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual 

improvement in workplace safety and health.

This publication provides a general overview 

of a particular standards-related topic. This 

publication does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities which are set forth in 

OSHA standards, and the Occupational Safety 

and Health Act of 1970. Moreover, because 

interpretations and enforcement policy may 

change over time, for additional guidance on 

OSHA compliance requirements the reader 

should consult current OSHA administrative 

interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 

and the courts.

Material contained in this publication is in the 

public domain and may be reproduced, fully 

or partially, without permission. Source credit 

is requested but not required.

This information is available to sensory 

impaired individuals upon request. Voice 

phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) 

number: (877) 889-5627.
2

Contents

Introduction...4

The Requirement for PPE...5

The Hazard Assessment...6

Selecting PPE...8

Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE...9

Eye and Face Protection...9

Prescription Lenses...10

Eye Protection for Exposed Employees...10

Types of Eye Protection...11

Welding Operations...12

Laser Operations...16

Head Protection...16

Types of Hard Hats...18

Size and Care Considerations...18

Foot and Leg Protection...19

Special Purpose Shoes...21

Foundry Shoes...22

Care of Protective Footwear...22

Hand and Arm Protection...22

Types of Protective Gloves...23

Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves...23

Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves...24

Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves...24

Care of Protective Gloves...29

Body Protection...29

Hearing Protection...30
3

OSHA Assistance...32

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines...33

State Programs...33

Consultation Services...34

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)...34

Strategic Partnership Program...35

Alliance Program...35

OSHA Training and Education...36

Information Available Electronically...36

OSHA Publications...37

Contacting OSHA...37

OSHA Regional Offices...38

List of Tables

Table 1:

Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy...13

Table 2: 

Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade

Numbers for Protection Against Radiant Energy...15

Table 3: 

Selecting Laser Safety Glass...16

Table 4: 

Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective 

Gloves...26

Table 5: 

Permissible Noise Exposures...31

Appendix A: OSHA Standards that Require PPE...40
4

Introduction

Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp 

edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad 

of other potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect 

their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury. 

Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect 

employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions, 

OSHA recommends the use of engineering or work practice 

controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent 

possible. For example, building a barrier between the hazard and 

the employees is an engineering control; changing the way in 

which employees perform their work is a work practice control. 

When engineering, work practice and administrative controls are 

not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must 

provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees 

and ensure its use. Personal protective equipment, commonly 

referred to as “PPE”, is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a 

variety of hazards. Examples of PPE include such items as gloves, 

foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (earplugs, 

muffs) hard hats, respirators and full body suits. 

This guide will help both employers and employees do the 

following:

n Understand the types of PPE. 

n Know the basics of conducting a “hazard assessment” of the 

workplace.

n Select appropriate PPE for a variety of circumstances.

n Understand what kind of training is needed in the proper use 

and care of PPE.

The information in this guide is general in nature and does not 

address all workplace hazards or PPE requirements. The information, 

methods and procedures in this guide are based on the OSHA 

requirements for PPE as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations 

(CFR) at 29 CFR 1910.132 (General requirements); 29 CFR 1910.133 

(Eye and face protection); 29 CFR 1910.135 (Head protection); 29 CFR 

1910.136 (Foot protection); 29 CFR 1910.137 (Electrical protective 

equipment); 29 CFR 1910.138 (Hand protection); and regulations 

that cover the construction industry, at 29 CFR 1926.95 (Criteria 
5

for personal protective equipment); 29 CFR 1926.96 (Occupational 

foot protection); 29 CFR 1926.100 (Head protection); 29 CFR 1926.101 

(Hearing protection); and 29 CFR 1926.102 (Eye and face protection); 

and for the maritime industry at 29 CFR 1915.152 (General requirements); 29 CFR 1915.153 (Eye and face protection); 29 CFR 1915.155 

(Head protection); 29 CFR 1915.156 (Foot protection); and 29 CFR 

1915.157 (Hand and body protection). 

This guide does not address PPE requirements related 

to respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134). There is a brief 

discussion of hearing protection in this publication but users 

should refer to OSHA Publication 3074, “Hearing Conservation” 

for more detailed information on the requirements to protect 

employees’ hearing in the workplace.

The Requirement for PPE

To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in 

the workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and 

employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and 

healthful work environment. 

In general, employers are responsible for:

n Performing a “hazard assessment” of the workplace to identify 

and control physical and health hazards.

n Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.

n Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.

n Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.

n Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program.

In general, employees should:

n Properly wear PPE, 

n Attend training sessions on PPE,

n Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and

n Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.

Specific requirements for PPE are presented in many different 

OSHA standards, published in 29 CFR. Some standards require that 
6

employers provide PPE at no cost to the employee while others 

simply state that the employer must provide PPE. Appendix A at 

page 40 lists those standards that require the employer to provide 

PPE and those that require the employer to provide PPE at no cost 

to the employee.

In a final rule on employer-paid PPE published in November 

2007, all PPE, with a few exceptions, will be provided at no cost 

to the employee. The Nov. 2007 final rule also clarified OSHA’s 

requirements regarding payment for employee-owned PPE and 

for replacement PPE. The final rule is published at 72 Fed. Reg. 

64341-64430 (Nov. 15, 2007).

The Hazard Assessment

A first critical step in developing a comprehensive safety and 

health program is to identify physical and health hazards in the 

workplace. This process is known as a “hazard assessment.” 

Potential hazards may be physical or health-related and a comprehensive hazard assessment should identify hazards in both 

cat-egories. Examples of physical hazards include moving objects, 

fluctuating temperatures, high intensity lighting, rolling or pinching 

objects, electrical connections and sharp edges. Examples of health 

hazards include overexposure to harmful dusts, chemicals or 

radiation.

The hazard assessment should begin with a walkthrough survey 

of the facility to develop a list of potential hazards in the following 

basic hazard categories:

n Impact,

n Penetration,

n Compression (roll-over),

n Chemical,

n Heat/cold,

n Harmful dust,

n Light (optical) radiation, and

n Biologic.

In addition to noting the basic layout of the facility and 

reviewing any history of occupational illnesses or injuries, things 
7

to look for during the walkthrough survey include:

n Sources of electricity.

n Sources of motion such as machines or processes where 

movement may exist that could result in an impact between 

personnel and equipment.

n Sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye 

injuries or fire.

n Types of chemicals used in the workplace.

n Sources of harmful dusts.

n Sources of light radiation, such as welding, brazing, cutting, 

furnaces, heat treating, high intensity lights, etc.

n The potential for falling or dropping objects.

n Sharp objects that could poke, cut, stab or puncture.

n Biologic hazards such as blood or other potentially infected 

material.

When the walkthrough is complete, the employer should 

organize and analyze the data so that it may be efficiently used 

in determining the proper types of PPE required at the worksite. 

The employer should become aware of the different types of PPE 

available and the levels of protection offered. It is definitely a good 

idea to select PPE that will provide a level of protection greater than 

the minimum required to protect employees from hazards.

The workplace should be periodically reassessed for any 

changes in conditions, equipment or operating procedures that 

could affect occupational hazards. This periodic reassessment 

should also include a review of injury and illness records to spot 

any trends or areas of concern and taking appropriate corrective 

action. The suitability of existing PPE, including an evaluation of its 

condition and age, should be included in the reassessment.

Documentation of the hazard assessment is required through a 

written certification that includes the following information:

n Identification of the workplace evaluated;

n Name of the person conducting the assessment;

n Date of the assessment; and

n Identification of the document certifying completion of the 

hazard assessment.
8

Selecting PPE

All PPE clothing and equipment should be of safe design and 

construction, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable 

fashion. Employers should take the fit and comfort of PPE into consideration when selecting appropriate items for their workplace. 

PPE that fits well and is comfortable to wear will encourage 

employee use of PPE. Most protective devices are available in 

multiple sizes and care should be taken to select the proper size for 

each employee. If several different types of PPE are worn together, 

make sure they are compatible. If PPE does not fit properly, it can 

make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously 

exposed. It may not provide the level of protection desired and may 

discourage employee use.

OSHA requires that many categories of PPE meet or be 

equivalent to standards developed by the American National 

Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI has been preparing safety 

standards since the 1920s, when the first safety standard was 

approved to protect the heads and eyes of industrial workers. 

Employers who need to provide PPE in the categories listed below 

must make certain that any new equipment procured meets the cited 

ANSI standard. Existing PPE stocks must meet the ANSI standard in 

effect at the time of its manufacture or provide protection equivalent 

to PPE manufactured to the ANSI criteria. Employers should inform 

employees who provide their own PPE of the employer’s selection 

decisions and ensure that any employee-owned PPE used in the 

workplace conforms to the employer’s criteria, based on the hazard 

assessment, OSHA requirements and ANSI standards. OSHA 

requires PPE to meet the following ANSI standards:

n Eye and Face Protection: ANSI Z87.1-1989 (USA Standard for 

Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection).

n Head Protection: ANSI Z89.1-1986.

n Foot Protection: ANSI Z41.1-1991.

For hand protection, there is no ANSI standard for gloves but 

OSHA recommends that selection be based upon the tasks to be 

performed and the performance and construction characteristics of 

the glove material. For protection against chemicals, glove selection 
9

must be based on the chemicals encountered, the chemical 

resistance and the physical properties of the glove material.

Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE

Employers are required to train each employee who must use 

PPE. Employees must be trained to know at least the following:

n When PPE is necessary.

n What PPE is necessary.

n How to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear the PPE.

n The limitations of the PPE.

n Proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE.

Employers should make sure that each employee demonstrates an understanding of the PPE training as well as the ability 

to properly wear and use PPE before they are allowed to perform 

work requiring the use of the PPE. If an employer believes that 

a previously trained employee is not demonstrating the proper 

understanding and skill level in the use of PPE, that employee 

should receive retraining. Other situations that require additional 

or retraining of employees include the following circumstances: 

changes in the workplace or in the type of required PPE that make 

prior training obsolete.

The employer must document the training of each employee 

required to wear or use PPE by preparing a certification containing 

the name of each employee trained, the date of training and a clear 

identification of the subject of the certification.

Eye and Face Protection

Employees can be exposed to a large number of hazards that 

pose danger to their eyes and face. OSHA requires employers to 

ensure that employees have appropriate eye or face protection 

if they are exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, 

molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical 

gases or vapors, potentially infected material or potentially harmful 

light radiation.
10

Many occupational eye injuries occur because employees are 

not wearing any eye protection while others result from wearing 

improper or poorly fitting eye protection. Employers must be sure 

that their employees wear appropriate eye and face protection and 

that the selected form of protection is appropriate to the work being 

performed and properly fits each employee exposed to the hazard. 

Prescription Lenses

Everyday use of prescription corrective lenses will not provide 

adequate protection against most occupational eye and face 

hazards, so employers must make sure that employees with 

corrective lenses either wear eye protection that incorporates the 

prescription into the design or wear additional eye protection over 

their prescription lenses. It is important to ensure that the protective 

eyewear does not disturb the proper positioning of the prescription 

lenses so that the employee’s vision will not be inhibited or limited. 

Also, employees who wear contact lenses must wear eye or face 

PPE when working in hazardous conditions. 

Eye Protection for Exposed Employees

OSHA suggests that eye protection be routinely considered for use 

by carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics, millwrights, plumbers 

and pipefitters, sheetmetal employees and tinsmiths, assemblers, 

sanders, grinding machine operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, 

chemical pro-cess operators and handlers, and timber cutting and 

logging workers. Employers of employees in other job categories 

should decide whether there is a need for eye and face PPE through a 

hazard assessment.

Examples of potential eye or face injuries include:

n Dust, dirt, metal or wood chips entering the eye from activities 

such as chipping, grinding, sawing, hammering, the use of 

power tools or even strong wind forces. 

n Chemical splashes from corrosive substances, hot liquids, 

solvents or other hazardous solutions.

n Objects swinging into the eye or face, such as tree limbs, chains, 

tools or ropes.

n Radiant energy from welding, harmful rays from the use of 

lasers or other radiant light (as well as heat, glare, sparks, splash 

and flying particles).
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Types of Eye Protection

Selecting the most suitable eye and face protection for 

employees should take into consideration the following elements:

n Ability to protect against specific workplace hazards.

n Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.

n Should provide unrestricted vision and movement.

n Should be durable and cleanable.

n Should allow unrestricted functioning of any other required PPE.

The eye and face protection selected for employee use must 

clearly identify the manufacturer. Any new eye and face protective 

devices must comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989 or be at least as 

effective as this standard requires. Any equipment purchased 

before this requirement took effect on July 5, 1994, must comply 

with the earlier ANSI Standard (ANSI Z87.1-1968) or be shown to 

be equally effective.

An employer may choose to provide one pair of protective 

eyewear for each position rather than individual eyewear for 

each employee. If this is done, the employer must make sure that 

employees disinfect shared protective eyewear after each use. 

Protective eyewear with corrective lenses may only be used by the 

employee for whom the corrective prescription was issued and 

may not be shared among employees. 

Some of the most common types of eye and face protection 

include the following:

n Safety spectacles. These protective eyeglasses have safety 

frames constructed of metal or plastic and impact-resistant 

lenses. Side shields are available on some models. 

n Goggles. These are tight-fitting eye protection that completely 

cover the eyes, eye sockets and the facial area immediately 

surrounding the eyes and provide protection from impact, dust 

and splashes. Some goggles will fit over corrective lenses.

n Welding shields. Constructed of vulcanized fiber or fiberglass 

and fitted with a filtered lens, welding shields protect eyes from 

burns caused by infrared or intense radiant light; they also 

protect both the eyes and face from flying sparks, metal spatter 

and slag chips produced during welding, brazing, soldering and 
12

cutting operations. OSHA requires filter lenses to have a shade 

number appropriate to protect against the specific hazards of 

the work being performed in order to protect against harmful 

light radiation.

n Laser safety goggles. These specialty goggles protect against 

intense concentrations of light produced by lasers. The type of 

laser safety goggles an employer chooses will depend upon the 

equipment and operating conditions in the workplace. 

n Face shields. These transparent sheets of plastic extend from 

the eyebrows to below the chin and across the entire width of 

the employee’s head. Some are polarized for glare protection. 

Face shields protect against nuisance dusts and potential 

splashes or sprays of hazardous liquids but will not provide 

adequate protection against impact hazards. Face shields used 

in combination with goggles or safety spectacles will provide 

additional protection against impact hazards. 

Each type of protective eyewear is designed to protect against 

specific hazards. Employers can identify the specific workplace 

hazards that threaten employees’ eyes and faces by completing a 

hazard assessment as outlined in the earlier section. 

Welding Operations

The intense light associated with welding operations can cause 

serious and sometimes permanent eye damage if operators do not 

wear proper eye protection. The intensity of light or radiant energy 

produced by welding, cutting or brazing operations varies according

to a number of factors including the task producing the light, the 

electrode size and the arc current. The following table shows the 

minimum protective shades for a variety of welding, cutting and 

brazing operations in general industry and in the shipbuilding 

industry. 
13

Table 1

Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy

Operations Electrode size in Arc current Minimum*

 1/32” (0.8mm) protective 

 shade

Shielded metal 

arc welding < 3 < 60 7

3 - 5 60 - 160 8

5 - 8 160 - 250 10

> 8 250 - 550 11

Gas metal arc welding 

and flux cored 

arc welding < 60 7

60 - 160 10

160 - 250 10

250 - 500 10

Gas tungsten 

arc welding < 50 8

50 - 150 8

150 - 500 10

Air carbon (light) < 500 10

Arc cutting (heavy) 500 - 1,000 11

Plasma arc welding < 20 6

20 - 100 8

100 - 400 10

400 - 800 11

Plasma arc cutting (light)** < 300 8

(medium)** 300 - 400 9

(heavy)** 400 - 800 10

Torch brazing 3

Torch soldering 2

Carbon arc welding 14
14

Table 1 (continued)

Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy

Operations Plate thickness Plate thickness Minimum*

 inches mm protective

 shade

Gas welding:

Light < 1/8 < 3.2 4

Gas welding: 

Medium 1/8 - 1/2 3.2 - 12.7 5

Gas welding:

Heavy > 1/2 > 12.7 6

Oxygen cutting:

Light < 1 < 25 3

Oxygen cutting:

Medium 1 - 6 25 - 150 4

Oxygen cutting: 

Heavy > 6 > 150 5

Source: 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(5).

* As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld 

zone. Then go to a lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld 

zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or 

cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to 

use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light 

of the (spectrum) operation.

** These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience 

has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the 

workpiece.
15

 

The construction industry has separate requirements for filter 

lens protective levels for specific types of welding operations, as 

indicated in the table below:

Table 2

Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade 

Numbers for Protection Against Radiant Energy

Welding Operation Shade Number

Shielded metal-arc welding

1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes 10

Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous)

1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes 11

Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous)

1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes 12

Shielded metal-arc welding

3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-inch diameter electrodes 12

5/16-, 3/8-inch diameter electrodes 14

Atomic hydrogen welding 10 - 14

Carbon-arc welding 14

Soldering 2

Torch brazing 3 or 4

Light cutting, up to 1 inch 3 or 4

Medium cutting, 1 to 6 inches 4 or 5

Heavy cutting, more than 6 inches 5 or 6

Gas welding (light), up to 1/8-inch 4 or 5

Gas welding (medium), 1/8- to 1/2-inch 5 or 6

Gas welding (heavy), more than 1/2-inch 6 or 8

Source: 29 CFR 1926.102(b)(1).
16

Laser Operations

Laser light radiation can be extremely dangerous to the 

unprotected eye and direct or reflected beams can cause 

permanent eye damage. Laser retinal burns can be painless, so 

it is essential that all personnel in or around laser operations 

wear appropriate eye protection.

Laser safety goggles should protect for the specific wavelength 

of the laser and must be of sufficient optical density for the energy 

involved. Safety goggles intended for use with laser beams must 

be labeled with the laser wavelengths for which they are intended 

to be used, the optical density of those wavelengths and the visible 

light transmission.

The table below lists maximum power or energy densities and 

appropriate protection levels for optical densities 5 through 8.

Table 3

Selecting Laser Safety Glass

Intensity, CW maximum Attenuation

power density (watts/cm2) Optical density Attenuation 

 (O.D.) factor

10-2 5 105

10-1 6 106

1.0 7 107

10.0 8 108

Source: 29 CFR 1926.102(b)(2).

Head Protection

Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key 

element of any safety program. A head injury can impair an 

employee for life or it can be fatal. Wearing a safety helmet or 

hard hat is one of the easiest ways to protect an employee’s head 
17

from injury. Hard hats can protect employees from impact and 

penetration hazards as well as from electrical shock and burn 

hazards.

Employers must ensure that their employees wear head 

protection if any of the following apply:

n Objects might fall from above and strike them on the head;

n They might bump their heads against fixed objects, such as 

exposed pipes or beams; or

n There is a possibility of accidental head contact with electrical 

hazards.

Some examples of occupations in which employees should be 

required to wear head protection include construction workers, 

carpenters, electricians, linemen, plumbers and pipefitters, timber 

and log cutters, welders, among many others. Whenever there 

is a danger of objects falling from above, such as working below 

others who are using tools or working under a conveyor belt, head 

protection must be worn. Hard hats must be worn with the bill 

forward to protect employees properly.

In general, protective helmets or hard hats should do the 

following:

n Resist penetration by objects.

n Absorb the shock of a blow.

n Be water-resistant and slow burning.

n Have clear instructions explaining proper adjustment and 

replacement of the suspension and headband.

Hard hats must have a hard outer shell and a shock-absorbing 

lining that incorporates a headband and straps that suspend the 

shell from 1 to 1 1/4 inches (2.54 cm to 3.18 cm) away from the 

head. This type of design provides shock absorption during an 

impact and ventilation during normal wear. 

Protective headgear must meet ANSI Standard Z89.1-1986 

(Protective Headgear for Industrial Workers) or provide an 

equivalent level of protection. Helmets purchased before July 5, 

1994 must comply with the earlier ANSI Standard (Z89.1-1969) 

or provide equivalent protection.
18

Types of Hard Hats

There are many types of hard hats available in the marketplace 

today. In addition to selecting protective headgear that meets ANSI 

standard requirements, employers should ensure that employees 

wear hard hats that provide appropriate protection against potential 

workplace hazards. It is important for employers to understand all 

potential hazards when making this selection, including electrical 

hazards. This can be done through a comprehensive hazard 

analysis and an awareness of the different types of protective 

headgear available. 

Hard hats are divided into three industrial classes:

n Class A hard hats provide impact and penetration resistance 

along with limited voltage protection (up to 2,200 volts).

n Class B hard hats provide the highest level of protection against 

electrical hazards, with high-voltage shock and burn protection 

(up to 20,000 volts). They also provide protection from impact 

and penetration hazards by flying/falling objects.

n Class C hard hats provide lightweight comfort and impact 

protection but offer no protection from electrical hazards. 

Another class of protective headgear on the market is called a 

“bump hat,” designed for use in areas with low head clearance. 

They are recommended for areas where protection is needed from 

head bumps and lacerations. These are not designed to protect 

against falling or flying objects and are not ANSI approved. It is 

essential to check the type of hard hat employees are using to 

ensure that the equipment provides appropriate protection. Each 

hat should bear a label inside the shell that lists the manufacturer, 

the ANSI designation and the class of the hat. 

Size and Care Considerations

Head protection that is either too large or too small is inappropriate for use, even if it meets all other requirements. Protective 

headgear must fit appropriately on the body and for the head size 

of each individual. Most protective headgear comes in a variety 

of sizes with adjustable headbands to ensure a proper fit (many 

adjust in 1/8-inch increments). A proper fit should allow sufficient 

clearance between the shell and the suspension system for 
19

ventilation and distribution of an impact. The hat should not bind, 

slip, fall off or irritate the skin.

Some protective headgear allows for the use of various 

ac-cessories to help employees deal with changing environmental 

conditions, such as slots for earmuffs, safety glasses, face shields 

and mounted lights. Optional brims may provide additional 

protection from the sun and some hats have channels that guide 

rainwater away from the face. Protective headgear accessories 

must not compromise the safety elements of the equipment.

Periodic cleaning and inspection will extend the useful life 

of protective headgear. A daily inspection of the hard hat shell, 

sus-pension system and other accessories for holes, cracks, tears 

or other damage that might compromise the protective value of the 

hat is essential. Paints, paint thinners and some cleaning agents 

can weaken the shells of hard hats and may eliminate electrical 

re-sistance. Consult the helmet manufacturer for information on 

the effects of paint and cleaning materials on their hard hats. Never 

drill holes, paint or apply labels to protective headgear as this 

may reduce the integrity of the protection. Do not store protective 

headgear in direct sunlight, such as on the rear window shelf of a 

car, since sunlight and extreme heat can damage them.

Hard hats with any of the following defects should be removed 

from service and replaced:

n Perforation, cracking, or deformity of the brim or shell;

n Indication of exposure of the brim or shell to heat, chemicals 

or ultraviolet light and other radiation (in addition to a loss of 

surface gloss, such signs include chalking or flaking).

Always replace a hard hat if it sustains an impact, even if 

damage is not noticeable. Suspension systems are offered as 

replacement parts and should be replaced when damaged or when 

excessive wear is noticed. It is not necessary to replace the entire 

hard hat when deterioration or tears of the suspension systems are 

noticed.

Foot and Leg Protection

Employees who face possible foot or leg injuries from falling 

or rolling objects or from crushing or penetrating materials should 
20

wear protective footwear. Also, employees whose work involves 

exposure to hot substances or corrosive or poisonous materials 

must have protective gear to cover exposed body parts, including 

legs and feet. If an employee’s feet may be exposed to electrical 

hazards, non-conductive footwear should be worn. On the other 

hand, workplace exposure to static electricity may necessitate the 

use of conductive footwear. 

Examples of situations in which an employee should wear foot 

and/or leg protection include:

n When heavy objects such as barrels or tools might roll onto or 

fall on the employee’s feet;

n Working with sharp objects such as nails or spikes that could 

pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary shoes;

n Exposure to molten metal that might splash on feet or legs;

n Working on or around hot, wet or slippery surfaces; and

n Working when electrical hazards are present.

Safety footwear must meet ANSI minimum compression 

and impact performance standards in ANSI Z41-1991 (American 

National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear) 

or provide equivalent protection. Footwear purchased before 

July 5, 1994, must meet or provide equivalent protection to the 

earlier ANSI Standard (ANSI Z41.1-1967). All ANSI-approved 

footwear has a protective toe and offers impact and compression 

protection. But the type and amount of protection is not always 

the same. Different footwear protects in different ways. Check the 

product’s labeling or consult the manufacturer to make sure the 

footwear will protect the user from the hazards they face. 

Foot and leg protection choices include the following:

n Leggings protect the lower legs and feet from heat hazards such 

as molten metal or welding sparks. Safety snaps allow leggings 

to be removed quickly.

n Metatarsal guards protect the instep area from impact and 

compression. Made of aluminum, steel, fiber or plastic, these 

guards may be strapped to the outside of shoes.

n Toe guards fit over the toes of regular shoes to protect the toes 

from impact and compression hazards. They may be made of 

steel, aluminum or plastic.
21

n Combination foot and shin guards protect the lower legs and 

feet, and may be used in combination with toe guards when 

greater protection is needed.

n Safety shoes have impact-resistant toes and heat-resistant soles 

that protect the feet against hot work surfaces common in 

roofing, paving and hot metal industries. The metal insoles 

of some safety shoes protect against puncture wounds. Safety 

shoes may also be designed to be electrically conductive 

to prevent the buildup of static electricity in areas with the 

potential for explosive atmospheres or nonconductive to protect 

employees from workplace electrical hazards. 

Special Purpose Shoes

Electrically conductive shoes provide protection against the 

buildup of static electricity. Employees working in explosive and 

hazardous locations such as explosives manufacturing facilities or 

grain elevators must wear conductive shoes to reduce the risk of 

static electricity buildup on the body that could produce a spark 

and cause an explosion or fire. Foot powder should not be used 

in conjunction with protective conductive footwear because it 

provides insulation, reducing the conductive ability of the shoes. 

Silk, wool and nylon socks can produce static electricity and should 

not be worn with conductive footwear. Conductive shoes must 

be removed when the task requiring their use is completed. 

Note: Employees exposed to electrical hazards must never wear 

conductive shoes.

Electrical hazard, safety-toe shoes are nonconductive and will 

prevent the wearers’ feet from completing an electrical circuit to the 

ground. These shoes can protect against open circuits of up to 600 

volts in dry conditions and should be used in conjunction with 

other insulating equipment and additional precautions to reduce 

the risk of an employee becoming a path for hazardous electrical 

energy. The insulating protection of electrical hazard, safety-toe 

shoes may be compromised if the shoes become wet, the soles 

are worn through, metal particles become embedded in the 

sole or heel, or employees touch conductive, grounded items. 

Note: Nonconductive footwear must not be used in explosive or 

hazardous locations. 
22

Foundry Shoes

In addition to insulating the feet from the extreme heat of 

molten metal, foundry shoes keep hot metal from lodging in shoe 

eyelets, tongues or other shoe parts. These snug-fitting leather or 

leather-substitute shoes have leather or rubber soles and rubber 

heels. All foundry shoes must have built-in safety toes.

Care of Protective Footwear

As with all protective equipment, safety footwear should be 

inspected prior to each use. Shoes and leggings should be checked 

for wear and tear at reasonable intervals. This includes looking for 

cracks or holes, separation of materials, broken buckles or laces. 

The soles of shoes should be checked for pieces of metal or other 

embedded items that could present electrical or tripping hazards. 

Employees should follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for 

cleaning and maintenance of protective footwear.

Hand and Arm Protection

If a workplace hazard assessment reveals that employees face 

potential injury to hands and arms that cannot be eliminated 

through engineering and work practice controls, employers must 

ensure that employees wear appropriate protection. Potential 

hazards include skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical 

or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts, 

punctures, fractures and amputations. Protective equipment 

includes gloves, finger guards and arm coverings or elbow-length 

gloves.

Employers should explore all possible engineering and work 

practice controls to eliminate hazards and use PPE to provide 

additional protection against hazards that cannot be completely 

eliminated through other means. For example, machine guards 

may eliminate a hazard. Installing a barrier to prevent employees 

from placing their hands at the point of contact between a table 

saw blade and the item being cut is another method. 
23

Types of Protective Gloves

There are many types of gloves available today to protect 

against a wide variety of hazards. The nature of the hazard and 

the operation involved will affect the selection of gloves. The 

variety of potential occupational hand injuries makes selecting the 

right pair of gloves challenging. It is essential that employees use 

gloves specifically designed for the hazards and tasks found in 

their workplace because gloves designed for one function may not 

protect against a different function even though they may appear to 

be an appropriate protective device. 

The following are examples of some factors that may influence 

the selection of protective gloves for a workplace.

n Type of chemicals handled.

n Nature of contact (total immersion, splash, etc.).

n Duration of contact.

n Area requiring protection (hand only, forearm, arm).

n Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily).

n Thermal protection.

n Size and comfort.

n Abrasion/resistance requirements.

Gloves made from a wide variety of materials are designed for 

many types of workplace hazards. In general, gloves fall into four 

groups:

n Gloves made of leather, canvas or metal mesh;

n Fabric and coated fabric gloves;

n Chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves;

n Insulating rubber gloves (See 29 CFR 1910.137 and the following 

section on electrical protective equipment for detailed requirements on the selection, use and care of insulating rubber gloves).

Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves

Sturdy gloves made from metal mesh, leather or canvas provide 

protection against cuts and burns. Leather or canvass gloves also 

protect against sustained heat.
24

n Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, 

chips and rough objects. 

n Aluminized gloves provide reflective and insulating protection 

against heat and require an insert made of synthetic materials to 

protect against heat and cold.

n Aramid fiber gloves protect against heat and cold, are cut- and 

abrasive-resistant and wear well.

n Synthetic gloves of various materials offer protection against 

heat and cold, are cut- and abrasive-resistant and may withstand 

some diluted acids. These materials do not stand up against 

alkalis and solvents.

Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves

Fabric and coated fabric gloves are made of cotton or other 

fabric to provide varying degrees of protection.

n Fabric gloves protect against dirt, slivers, chafing and abrasions. 

They do not provide sufficient protection for use with rough, 

sharp or heavy materials. Adding a plastic coating will strengthen

some fabric gloves.

n Coated fabric gloves are normally made from cotton flannel 

with napping on one side. By coating the unnapped side with 

plastic, fabric gloves are transformed into general-purpose 

hand protection offering slip-resistant qualities. These gloves 

are used for tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire to 

chemical laboratory containers. When selecting gloves to 

protect against chemical exposure hazards, always check with 

the manufacturer or review the manufacturer’s product literature 

to determine the gloves’ effectiveness against specific workplace 

chemicals and conditions.

Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves

Chemical-resistant gloves are made with different kinds of 

rubber: natural, butyl, neoprene, nitrile and fluorocarbon (viton); or 

various kinds of plastic: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol 

and polyethylene. These materials can be blended or laminated 
25

for better performance. As a general rule, the thicker the glove 

material, the greater the chemical resistance but thick gloves may 

impair grip and dexterity, having a negative impact on safety.

Some examples of chemical-resistant gloves include: 

n Butyl gloves are made of a synthetic rubber and protect against 

a wide variety of chemicals, such as peroxide, rocket fuels, 

highly corrosive acids (nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid 

and red-fuming nitric acid), strong bases, alcohols, aldehydes, 

ketones, esters and nitrocompounds. Butyl gloves also resist 

oxidation, ozone corrosion and abrasion, and remain flexible 

at low temperatures. Butyl rubber does not perform well with 

aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated solvents.

n Natural (latex) rubber gloves are comfortable to wear, which 

makes them a popular general-purpose glove. They feature 

outstanding tensile strength, elasticity and temperature 

resistance. In addition to resisting abrasions caused by grinding 

and polishing, these gloves protect employees’ hands from most 

water solutions of acids, alkalis, salts and ketones. Latex gloves 

have caused allergic reactions in some individuals and may 

not be appropriate for all employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, 

glove liners and powderless gloves are possible alternatives for 

employees who are allergic to latex gloves.

n Neoprene gloves are made of synthetic rubber and offer good 

pliability, finger dexterity, high density and tear resistance. They 

protect against hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids 

and alkalis. They generally have chemical and wear resistance 

properties superior to those made of natural rubber.

n Nitrile gloves are made of a copolymer and provide protection 

from chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Although intended for jobs requiring dexterity 

and sensitivity, nitrile gloves stand up to heavy use even after 

prolonged exposure to substances that cause other gloves 

to deteriorate. They offer protection when working with oils, 

greases, acids, caustics and alcohols but are generally not 

recommended for use with strong oxidizing agents, aromatic 

solvents, ketones and acetates. 
26

The following table from the U.S. Department of Energy 

(Occupational Safety and Health Technical Reference Manual) rates 

various gloves as being protective against specific chemicals and 

will help you select the most appropriate gloves to protect your 

employees. The ratings are abbreviated as follows: VG: Very 

Good; G: Good; F: Fair; P: Poor (not recommended). Chemicals 

marked with an asterisk (*) are for limited service. 

Table 4

Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves

Chemical Neoprene Latex/Rubber Butyl Nitrile

Acetaldehyde* VG G VG G

Acetic acid VG VG VG VG

Acetone* G VG VG P

Ammonium hydroxide VG VG VG VG

Amy acetate* F P F P

Aniline G F F P

Benzaldehyde* F F G G

Benzene* P P P F

Butyl acetate G F F P

Butyl alcohol VG VG VG VG

Carbon disulfide F F F F

Carbon tetrachloride* F P P G

Castor oil F P F VG

Chlorobenzene* F P F P

Chloroform* G P P F

Chloronaphthalene F P F F

Chromic acid (50%) F P F F

Citric acid (10%) VG VG VG VG

Cyclohexanol G F G VG

Dibutyl phthalate* G P G G

Diesel fuel G P P VG

Diisobutyl ketone P F G P

Dimethylformamide F F G G

Dioctyl phthalate G P F VG

Dioxane VG G G G
27

 Table 4 (continued) Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves

Epoxy resins, dry VG VG VG VG

Ethyl acetate* G F G F

Ethyl alcohol VG VG VG VG

Ethyl ether* VG G VG G

Ethylene dichloride* F P F P

Ethylene glycol VG VG VG VG

Formaldehyde VG VG VG VG

Formic acid VG VG VG VG

Freon 11 G P F G

Freon 12 G P F G

Freon 21 G P F G

Freon 22 G P F G

Furfural* G G G G

Gasoline, leaded G P F VG

Gasoline, unleaded G P F VG

Glycerin VG VG VG VG

Hexane F P P G

Hydrazine (65%) F G G G

Hydrochloric acid VG G G G

Hydrofluoric acid (48%) VG G G G

Hydrogen peroxide (30%) G G G G

Hydroquinone G G G F

Isooctane F P P VG

Kerosene VG F F VG

Ketones G VG VG P

Lacquer thinners G F F P

Lactic acid (85%) VG VG VG VG

Lauric acid (36%) VG F VG VG

Lineolic acid VG P F G

Linseed oil VG P F VG

Maleic acid VG VG VG VG

Methyl alcohol VG VG VG VG

Methylamine F F G G

Methyl bromide G F G F

Methyl chloride* P P P P
28

 Table 4 (continued) Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves

Methyl ethyl ketone* G G VG P

Methyl isobutyl ketone* F F VG P

Methyl metharcrylate G G VG F

Monoethanolamine VG G VG VG

Morpholine VG VG VG G

Naphthalene G F F G

Napthas, aliphatic VG F F VG

Napthas, aromatic G P P G

Nitric acid* G F F F

Nitric acid, red and white

 fuming P P P P

Nitromethane (95.5%)* F P F F

Nitropropane (95.5%) F P F F

Octyl alcohol VG VG VG VG

Oleic acid VG F G VG

Oxalic acid VG VG VG VG

Palmitic acid VG VG VG VG

Perchloric acid (60%) VG F G G

Perchloroethylene F P P G

Petroleum distillates

 (naphtha) G P P VG

Phenol VG F G F

Phosphoric acid VG G VG VG

Potassium hydroxide VG VG VG VG

Propyl acetate G F G F

Propyl alcohol VG VG VG VG

Propyl alcohol (iso) VG VG VG VG

Sodium hydroxide VG VG VG VG

Styrene P P P F

Styrene (100%) P P P F

Sulfuric acid G G G G

Tannic acid (65) VG VG VG VG

Tetrahydrofuran P F F F

Toluene* F P P F

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) F G G F 
29

Table 4 (continued) Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves

Trichloroethylene* F F P G

Triethanolamine (85%) VG G G VG

Tung oil VG P F VG

Turpentine G F F VG

Xylene* P P P F

Note: When selecting chemical-resistant gloves be sure to consult the 

manufacturer’s recommendations, especially if the gloved hand(s) will 

be immersed in the chemical.

Care of Protective Gloves

Protective gloves should be inspected before each use to ensure 

that they are not torn, punctured or made ineffective in any way. A 

visual inspection will help detect cuts or tears but a more thorough 

inspection by filling the gloves with water and tightly rolling the 

cuff towards the fingers will help reveal any pinhole leaks. Gloves 

that are discolored or stiff may also indicate deficiencies caused by 

excessive use or degradation from chemical exposure. 

Any gloves with impaired protective ability should be discarded 

and replaced. Reuse of chemical-resistant gloves should be 

evaluated carefully, taking into consideration the absorptive 

qualities of the gloves. A decision to reuse chemically-exposed 

gloves should take into consideration the toxicity of the chemicals 

involved and factors such as duration of exposure, storage and 

temperature.

Body Protection

Employees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that 

cannot be eliminated through engineering, work practice or 

administrative controls, must wear appropriate body protection 

while performing their jobs. In addition to cuts and radiation, the 

following are examples of workplace hazards that could cause 

bodily injury:

n Temperature extremes;

n Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids;
30

n Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials;

n Hazardous chemicals.

There are many varieties of protective clothing available for 

specific hazards. Employers are required to ensure that their 

em-ployees wear personal protective equipment only for the 

parts of the body exposed to possible injury. Examples of body 

protection include laboratory coats, coveralls, vests, jackets, aprons, 

surgical gowns and full body suits.

If a hazard assessment indicates a need for full body protection 

against toxic substances or harmful physical agents, the clothing 

should be carefully inspected before each use, it must fit each 

employee properly and it must function properly and for the 

purpose for which it is intended. 

Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each 

effective against particular hazards, such as:

n Paper-like fiber used for disposable suits provide protection 

against dust and splashes.

n Treated wool and cotton adapts well to changing temperatures, 

is comfortable, and fire-resistant and protects against dust, 

abrasions and rough and irritating surfaces.

n Duck is a closely woven cotton fabric that protects against cuts 

and bruises when handling heavy, sharp or rough materials. 

n Leather is often used to protect against dry heat and flames. 

n Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene and plastics protect 

against certain chemicals and physical hazards. When chemical 

or physical hazards are present, check with the clothing manufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide 

protection against the specific hazard.

Hearing Protection

Determining the need to provide hearing protection for 

employees can be challenging. Employee exposure to excessive 

noise depends upon a number of factors, including:

n The loudness of the noise as measured in decibels (dB).

n The duration of each employee’s exposure to the noise.

n Whether employees move between work areas with different 

noise levels.
31

n Whether noise is generated from one or multiple sources.

Generally, the louder the noise, the shorter the exposure time 

before hearing protection is required. For instance, employees may 

be exposed to a noise level of 90 dB for 8 hours per day (unless they 

experience a Standard Threshold Shift) before hearing protection is 

required. On the other hand, if the noise level reaches 115 dB hearing 

protection is required if the anticipated exposure exceeds 15 minutes. 

For a more detailed discussion of the requirements for a comprehensive hearing conservation program, see OSHA Publication 

3074 (2002), “Hearing Conservation” or refer to the OSHA standard 

at 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure, section (c).

Table 5, below, shows the permissible noise exposures that 

require hearing protection for employees exposed to occupational 

noise at specific decibel levels for specific time periods. Noises are 

considered continuous if the interval between occurrences of the 

maximum noise level is one second or less. Noises not meeting 

this definition are considered impact or impulse noises (loud 

momentary explosions of sound) and exposures to this type of 

noise must not exceed 140 dB. Examples of situations or tools that 

may result in impact or impulse noises are powder-actuated nail 

guns, a punch press or drop hammers. 

Table 5

Permissible Noise Exposures

Duration per day, in hours Sound level in dB*

8 90

6 92

4 95

3 97

2 100

11/2 102

1 105

1/2 110

1/4 or less 115

*When measured on the A scale of a standard sound level meter 

at slow response.

Source: 29 CFR 1910.95, Table G-16.
32

If engineering and work practice controls do not lower employee 

exposure to workplace noise to acceptable levels, employees must 

wear appropriate hearing protection. It is important to understand 

that hearing protectors reduce only the amount of noise that gets 

through to the ears. The amount of this reduction is referred to as 

attenuation, which differs according to the type of hearing protection

used and how well it fits. Hearing protectors worn by employees 

must reduce an employee’s noise exposure to within the 

acceptable limits noted in Table 5. Refer to Appendix B of 29 CFR 

1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure, for detailed information 

on methods to estimate the attenuation effectiveness of hearing 

protectors based on the device’s noise reduction rating (NRR). 

Manufacturers of hearing protection devices must display the 

device’s NRR on the product packaging. If employees are exposed 

to occupational noise at or above 85 dB averaged over an eight-hour 

period, the employer is required to institute a hearing conservation 

program that includes regular testing of employees’ hearing by 

qualified professionals. Refer to 29 CFR 1910.95(c) for a description 

of the requirements for a hearing conservation program.

Some types of hearing protection include:

n Single-use earplugs are made of waxed cotton, foam, silicone 

rubber or fiberglass wool. They are self-forming and, when 

properly inserted, they work as well as most molded earplugs.

n Pre-formed or molded earplugs must be individually fitted by a 

professional and can be disposable or reusable. Reusable plugs 

should be cleaned after each use.

n Earmuffs require a perfect seal around the ear. Glasses, facial 

hair, long hair or facial movements such as chewing may reduce 

the protective value of earmuffs.

OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of 

programs, including technical assistance about effective safety and 

health programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary 

pro-tection programs, strategic partnerships, training and education, 

and more. An overall commitment to workplace safety and health 

can add value to your business, to your workplace and to your life.
33

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

Effective management of employee safety and health protection 

is a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an 

effective safety and health program forms the basis of good 

employee protection, can save time and money, increase productivity, and reduce employee injuries, illnesses and related workers’ 

compensation costs.

To assist employers and employees in developing effective 

safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended Safety 

and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 Federal Register 

(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines 

apply to all places of employment covered by OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements critical to the 

development of a successful safety and health management 

system:

n Management leadership and employee involvement,

n Worksite analysis,

n Hazard prevention and control, and

n Safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of 

these general elements, to achieve an effective safety and health 

program. The Federal Register notice is available online at www.

osha.gov. 

State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) 

encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety 

and health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. 

Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands currently 

operate approved state plans: 22 cover both private and public 

(state and local government) employment; Connecticut, New 

Jersey, New York and the Virgin Islands cover the public sector 

only. States and territories with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health plans must adopt standards identical to, or 

at least as effective as, the Federal OSHA standards. 
34

Consultation Services

Consultation assistance is available on request to employers 

who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful 

workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no 

cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers 

with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is delivered

by state governments employing professional safety and health 

consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an appraisal of all 

mechanical systems, work practices and occupational safety and 

health hazards of the workplace and all aspects of the employer’s 

present job safety and health program. In addition, the service 

offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing 

an effective safety and health program. No penalties are proposed 

or citations issued for hazards identified by the consultant. OSHA 

provides consultation assistance to the employer with the assurance

that his or her name and firm and any information about the 

workplace will not be routinely reported to OSHA enforcement 

staff.

Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers 

may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement

Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP 

includes receiving a comprehensive consultation visit, demonstrating exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health by 

abating all identified hazards, and developing an excellent safety 

and health program.

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption 

from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation inspections) for a period of one year. For more information 

concerning consultation assistance, see the OSHA website at www.

osha.gov.

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Voluntary Protection Programs and on-site consultation services, 

when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand 

employee protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The 

VPPs motivate others to achieve excellent safety and health results 

in the same outstanding way as they establish a cooperative relationship between employers, employees and OSHA.

For additional information on VPP and how to apply, contact the 

OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.
35

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member 

of OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist and 

recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace 

hazards and achieve a high level of employee safety and 

health. Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail 

one-on-one relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, 

most strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by 

building cooperative relationships with groups of employers and 

employees. These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA, employers, employee representatives and 

others (e.g., trade unions, trade and professional associations, universities and other government agencies). 

For more information on this and other cooperative programs, 

contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at www.

osha.gov.

Alliance Program

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups 

committed to safety and health, including businesses, trade or 

professional organizations, unions and educational institutions, to 

leverage resources and expertise to develop compliance assistance 

tools and resources and share information with employers and 

employees to help prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the 

workplace.

Alliance program agreements have been established with a 

wide variety of industries including meat, apparel, poultry, steel, 

plastics, maritime, printing, chemical, construction, paper and 

telecommunications. These agreements are addressing many 

safety and health hazards and at-risk audiences, including silica, 

fall protection, amputations, immigrant workers, youth and 

small businesses. By meeting the goals of the Alliance Program 

agreements (training and education, outreach and communication, and promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety 

and health), OSHA and the Alliance Program participants are 

developing and disseminating compliance assistance information 

and resources for employers and employees such as electronic 

assistance tools, fact sheets, toolbox talks, and training programs.
36

OSHA Training and Education

OSHA area offices offer a variety of information services, such 

as compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual

aids and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training 

Institute in Arlington Heights, IL, provides basic and advanced 

courses in safety and health for Federal and state compliance 

officers, state consultants, Federal agency personnel, and private 

sector employers, employees and their representatives.

The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training 

Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its 

courses from the private sector and from other federal agencies. 

These centers include colleges, universities and nonprofit training 

organizations that have been selected after a competition for participation in the program.

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through 

grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects 

where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants 

are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to contribute 

20 percent of the total grant cost.

For more information on grants, training and education, contact 

the OSHA Training Institute, Directorate of Training and Education, 

2020 South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, 

(847) 297-4810 or see Training on OSHA’s website at www.osha.

gov. For further information on any OSHA program, contact your 

nearest OSHA regional office listed at the end of this publication.

Information Available Electronically

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its website

at www.osha.gov. These include electronic compliance assistance 

tools, such as Safety and Health Topics Pages, eTools, Expert 

Advisors; regulations, directives, publications and videos; and 

other information for employers and employees. OSHA’s software

programs and compliance assistance tools walk you through 

challenging safety and health issues and common problems to find 

the best solutions for your workplace. 

A wide variety of OSHA materials, including standards, interpretations, directives, and more can be purchased on CD-ROM 

from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of 

Documents, toll-free phone (866) 512-1800.
37

OSHA Publications

OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing 

of free or sales items, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or 

contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor, 

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210. 

Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498. 

Contacting OSHA

To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek OSHA advice, 

assistance or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your nearest 

OSHA regional or area office listed at the end of this publication. 

The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

Written correspondence can be mailed to the nearest OSHA 

Regional or Area Office listed at the end of this publication or to 

OSHA’s national office at: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 

Washington, DC 20210. 

By visiting OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, you can also: 

• File a complaint online,

• Submit general inquiries about workplace safety and health 

electronically, and 

• Find more information about OSHA and occupational safety and 

health.
38

OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*) 

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA,* VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

Region IV 

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145
39

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108-2416

(816) 283-8745

Region VIII

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

PO Box 46550

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(720) 264-6550

Region IX 

(AZ,* CA,* HI, NV,* and American Samoa, Guam 

and the Northern Mariana Islands)

90 7th Street, Suite 18-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930

* These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved 

job safety and health programs and cover state and local government 

employees as well as private sector employees. The Connecticut, New 

Jersey, New York and Virgin Islands plans cover public employees only. 

States with approved programs must have standards that are identical to, 

or at least as effective as, the Federal OSHA standards. 

Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices, OSHAapproved State Plans and OSHA Consultation Projects, please visit us 

online at www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-0SHA. 
Appendix A

OSHA Standards that Require PPE

29 CFR 1910, General Industry

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:

1910.28 Safety requirements for scaffolds

1910.66 Powered platforms for building maintenance

1910.67 Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms

1910.94 Ventilation

1910.119 Process safety management of highly hazardous 

chemicals

1910.120 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response

1910.132 General requirements (personal protective equipment)

1910.133 Eye and face protection

1910.135 Occupational foot protection

1910.136 Occupational foot protection

1910.137 Electrical protective devices

1910.138 Hand protection

1910.139 Respiratory protection for M. tuberculosis

1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers

1910.160 Fixed extinguishing systems, general

1910.183 Helicopters

1910.218 Forging machines

1910.242 Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, 

general

1910.243 Guarding of portable power tools

1910.252 General requirements (welding, cutting and brazing)

1910.261 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills

1910.262 Textiles

1910.268 Telecommunications

1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission and distribution

1910.333 Selection and use of work practices

1910.335 Safeguards for personnel protection

1910.1000 Air contaminants

1910.1003 13 carcinogens, etc.

1910.1017 Vinyl chloride

1910.1029 Coke oven emissions

1910.1043 Cotton dust

1910.1096 Ionizing radiation

40
41

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE 

at No Cost to the Employee:

1910.95 Occupational noise exposure

1910.134 Respiratory protection

1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces

1910.156 Fire brigades 

1910.266 Logging operations

1910.1001 Asbestos

1910.1018 Inorganic Arsenic

1910.1025 Lead

1910.1027 Cadmium

1910.1028 Benzene

1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens

1910.1044 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane

1910.1045 Acrylonitrile

1910.1047 Ethylene oxide

1910.1048 Formaldehyde

1910.1050 Methylenedianiline

1910.1051 1,3-Butadiene

1910.1052 Methylene chloride

1910.1450 Occupational exposure to chemicals in laboratories

29 CFR 1915, Shipyard Employment

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:

1915.12 Precautions and the order of testing before entering 

confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous 

atmospheres

1915.13 Cleaning and other cold work

1915.32 Toxic cleaning solvents

1915.34 Mechanical paint removers

1915.35 Painting

1915.51 Ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and 

heating

1915.73 Guarding of deck openings and edges

1915.77 Working surfaces

1915.135 Powder actuated fastening tools

1915.156 Foot protection

1915.157 Hand and body protection

1915.158 Lifesaving equipment

1915.159 Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS)
42

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE 

at No Cost to the Employee:

1915.154 Respiratory Protection

1915.1001 Asbestos

29 CFR 1917, Marine Terminals

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:

1917.22 Hazardous cargo

1917.25 Fumigants, pesticides, insecticides and hazardous 

waste

1917.26 First aid and lifesaving facilities

1917.91 Eye and face protection

1917.93 Head protection

1917.95 Other protective measures

1917.126 River banks

1917.152 Welding, cutting and heating (hot work)

1917.154 Compressed air

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE 

at No Cost to the Employee:

1917.92 Respiratory protection

29 CFR 1918, Longshoring

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:

1918.85 Containerized cargo operations

1918.88 Log operations

1918.93 Hazardous atmospheres and substances

1918.94 Ventilation and atmospheric conditions

1918.104 Foot protection

1918.105 Other protective measures

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE 

at No Cost to the Employee:

1918.102 Respiratory protection
43

29 CFR 1926, Construction

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:

1926.28 Personal protective equipment

1926.52 Occupational noise exposure

1926.57 Ventilation

1926.64 Process safety management of highly hazardous 

chemicals

1926.65 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response

1926.95 Criteria for personal protective equipment

1926.96 Occupational foot protection

1926.100 Head protection

1926.101 Hearing protection

1926.102 Eye and face protection

1926.104 Safety belts, lifelines and lanyards

1926.105 Safety nets

1926.106 Working over or near water

1926.250 General requirements for storage

1926.300 General requirements (Hand and power tools)

1926.302 Power-operated hand tools

1926.304 Woodworking tools

1926.353 Ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and 

heating

1926.354 Welding, cutting and heating in way of preservative 

coatings

1926.416 General requirements (Electrical)

1926.451 General requirements (Scaffolds)

1926.453 Aerial lifts

1926.501 Duty to have fall protection

1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices

1926.550 Cranes and derricks

1926.551 Helicopters

1926.701 General requirements (Concrete and masonry 

construction)

1926.760 Fall protection (Steel erection)

1926.800 Underground construction

1926.951 Tools and protective equipment

1926.955 Overhead lines

1926.1101 Asbestos
44

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE 

at No Cost to the Employee:

1926.60 Methylenedianiline

1926.62 Lead

1926.103 Respiratory protection

1926.1127 Cadmium
Employers are responsible for providing a 

safe and healthy workplace for their employees.

OSHA’s role is to promote the safety and health

of America’s working men and women by 

setting and enforcing standards; providing 

training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual 

improvement in workplace safety and health.

This publication provides a general overview 

of a particular standards-related topic. This 

publication does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities which are set forth in 

OSHA standards, and the Occupational Safety 

and Health Act of 1970. Moreover, because 

interpretations and enforcement policy may 

change over time, for additional guidance on 

OSHA compliance requirements the reader 

should consult current OSHA administrative 

interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 

and the courts.

Material contained in this publication is in the 

public domain and may be reproduced, fully 

or partially, without permission. Source credit 

is requested but not required.

This information is available to sensory 

impaired individuals upon request. Voice 

phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) 

number: (877) 889-5627.