OSHA 3151-02R 2023

Personal Protective 

Equipment
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

“To assure safe and healthful working conditions for 

working men and women; by authorizing enforcement 

of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting 

and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure 

safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for 

research, information, education, and training in the field 

of occupational safety and health.”

This guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no 

new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well 

as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. 

The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational 

in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing 

a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and 

Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and 

health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by 

a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. In addition, the Act’s 

General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to 

provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized 

hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

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 will be made available to sensory-impaired 

individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999; 

teletypewriter (TTY) number: 1-877-889-5627. 
Personal Protective 

Equipment

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3151-02R 2023
Contents

Introduction. 

The Requirement for PPE. 

The Hazard Assessment. 

Selecting PPE. 

Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE. 

Eye and Face Protection. 

Head Protection. .

Foot and Leg Protection. .

Hand and Arm Protection. .

Body Protection. .

Hearing Protection. .

Personal Fall Protection Systems. .

OSHA Assistance, Services, and Programs. .

OSHA Regional Offices. .

How to Contact OSHA. .

Appendix A: OSHA Standards that Require PPE. .
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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 employees is an engineering control; changing the way 

in which employees perform their work, (e.g., through job 

rotations) is an administrative 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:

■ Understand the types of PPE.

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

the workplace.

■ Select appropriate PPE for a variety of circumstances.

■ 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 
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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); 29 CFR 1910.140 (Personal 

Fall Protection) and regulations that cover the construction 

industry, at 29 CFR 1926.95 (Criteria for personal protective 

equipment); 29 CFR 1926.96 (Occupational foot protection); 29 

CFR 1926.97 (Electrical protective equipment); 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). Please note this guide 

does not address PPE requirements related to respirators or 

respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134).

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:

■ Performing a “hazard assessment” of the workplace to 

identify and control physical and health hazards.

■ Identifying and providing appropriate and adequate PPE for 

employees.

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

■ Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.

■ Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the 

effectiveness of the PPE program.
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In general, employees should:

■ Properly wear PPE,

■ Attend training sessions on PPE,

■ Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and

■ 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 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.

A final rule on payment for PPE, published in November 2007, 

requires that all PPE, with a few exceptions, will be provided 

by the employer at no cost to the employee. The 2007 final 

rule also clarified OSHA’s requirements regarding payment for 

employee-provided PPE and for replacement PPE. The final 

rule is found at 72 Fed. Reg. 64341-64430 (Nov. 15, 2007).

The Hazard Assessment

A first critical step in protecting employees is to use a “hazard 

assessment to identify physical and health hazards in the 

workplace. Potential hazards may be physical or healthrelated and a comprehensive hazard assessment should 

identify hazards in both categories. 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:
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■ Fall hazards,

■ Impact,

■ Penetration,

■ Compression (roll-over),

■ Chemical,

■ Heat/cold,

■ Harmful dust,

■ Light (optical) radiation, and

■ Biologic.

In addition to noting the basic layout of the facility and 

reviewing any history of occupational illnesses or injuries, 

things to look for during the walkthrough survey include:

■ Sources of electricity.

■ Sources of motion such as machines or processes where 

movement may exist that could result in an impact between 

personnel and equipment.

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

injuries or fire.

■ Types of chemicals used in the workplace.

■ Sources of harmful dusts.

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

furnaces, heat treating, high intensity lights, etc.

■ The potential for falling or dropping objects.

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

■ Biologic hazards such as blood or other potentially 

infectious material.

■ Unprotected edges where fall hazards may exist.

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.
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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.

Then periodically reassess the workplace for any changes in 

conditions, equipment or operating procedures that could 

create 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:

■ Identification of the workplace evaluated;

■ Name of the person conducting the assessment;

■ Date of the assessment; and

■ Identification of the document certifying completion of the

hazard assessment.

Selecting PPE

All PPE clothing and equipment must be of safe design and 

construction, and be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. 

Employers shall 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. 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.
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OSHA requires that many categories of PPE meet or be 

equivalent to standards approved 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:

■ Eye and Face Protection: ANSI Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003, 

or ANSI Z87.1-1989(R1998).

■ Head Protection: ANSI Z89.1-2009, ANSI Z89.1-2003, or 

ANSI Z89.1-1997.

■ Foot Protection: ASTMF-2412-2005 and ASTMF-2413-2005, 

ANSI Z41-1999, or ANSI Z41-1991.

■ Electrical Rubber Insulating Equipment: ASTM D120-09, 

ASTM D-178-01 (2010), ASTM D-1048-12, ASTM D-1049-98 

(2010), ASTM D-1050-05 (2011), or ASTM D1051-08.

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 must be based on the chemicals 

encountered, the chemical resistance and the physical 

properties of the glove material.
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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:

■ When PPE is necessary.

■ What PPE is necessary.

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

■ The limitations of the PPE.

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

Employers shall make sure that each employee demonstrates 

an understanding of the PPE training (i.e., in a language they 

understand) 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 changes in the workplace or in the type 

of required PPE that make the prior training obsolete.

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 when 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.

Many occupational eye injuries occur because employees 

are not wearing any eye protection while others result 

from wearing improper, inadequate, 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.
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Prescription Lenses

Use of ordinary 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 of adequate eye protection or 

wear eye protection that fits over their prescription lenses. It is 

important to ensure that the protective eyewear fits properly, 

and does not disturb the proper positioning of the prescription 

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

limited. In addition, employees who wear contact lenses must 

wear eye or face PPE when working in hazardous conditions.

Eye Protection for Exposed Employees

OSHA requires that eye protection be routinely considered for use 

by carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics, millwrights, 

plumbers and pipefitters, sheet metal employees and tinsmiths, 

assemblers, sanders, grinding machine operators, welders, 

laborers, chemical process operators and handlers, sawyers, 

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 hazards include:

■ Dust, dirt, metal or wood chips contacting or entering the 

eye from activities such as chipping, grinding, sawing, 

hammering, using power tools, or from sources such as 

strong winds.

■ Chemical splashes from corrosive substances, hot liquids, 

solvents or other hazardous solutions.

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

chains, tools or ropes.

■ 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 suitable eye and face protection for employees 

should take into consideration the following elements:

■ Ability to protect against specific workplace hazards.

■ Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.

■ Should provide unrestricted vision and movement.

■ Should be durable and cleanable.

■ 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 any of the following; 

ANSI Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003, or ANSI Z87.1-1989(R1998) 

or be at least as effective as this standard requires. 

Some of the most common types of eye and face protection 

include the following:

■ Safety spectacles. These protective eyeglasses have safety 

frames constructed of metal or plastic and impact-resistant 

lenses. Side shields are available on some models.

■ Goggles. This tight-fitting eye protection completely 

covers 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.

■ 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 cutting operations. OSHA 

requires filter lenses to have a shade appropriate to protect 

against the specific hazards of the work being performed in 

order to protect against harmful light radiation.
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■ 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.

■ 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 potential splashes 

or sprays of hazardous liquids, droplets, and particles 

but will not provide adequate protection against impact 

hazards. Face shields used in combination with goggles or 

safety spectacles will provide additional protection against

splash and 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, 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. 

Table 1 shows the minimum protective shades for filter lenses 

for a variety of welding, cutting and brazing operations in 

general industry and in the shipbuilding industry.
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Table 1: Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy

Operations

Plate 

thickness 

inches

Plate 

thickness 

mm

Minimum* 

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

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
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Operations

Plate 

thickness 

inches

Plate 

thickness 

mm

Minimum* 

protective 

shade

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.

The construction industry has separate requirements for 

filter lens protective numbers for specific types of welding 

operations, as indicated in Table 2, 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
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Welding Operation Shade Number

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(c)(1).

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

Attenuation

Intensity, CW maximum 

power density (watts/cm2) 

Optical density 

(O.D.)

Attenuation 

factor

10-2 5 105

10-1 6 106

1.0 7 107

10.0 8 108

Source: 29 CFR 1926.102(c)(2)(i).
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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 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:

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

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

exposed pipes or beams; or

■ 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, and welders. 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. In general, protective helmets 

or hard hats should do the following:

■ Resist penetration by objects.

■ Absorb the shock of a blow.

■ Be water-resistant and slow burning.

■ 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.
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Protective headgear must comply with any of the following 

consensus standards ANSI Z89.1-2009, ANSI Z89.1-2003, or 

ANSI Z89.1-1997 or provide an equivalent level of protection. 

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:

■ Class A hard hats provide impact and penetration 

resistance along with limited voltage protection (up to 

2,200 volts).

■ 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.

■ 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.
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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 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 

accessories 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, suspension 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 resistance. 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:

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

■ 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).
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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 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:

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

or fall on the employee’s feet;

■ Working with sharp objects such as nails or spikes that 

could pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary shoes;

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

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

■ Working when electrical hazards are present.

Protective footwear must comply with any of the following 

consensus standards; ASTM F-2412-2005, “Standard Test 

Methods for Foot Protection,” and ASTM F-2413-2005, 

“Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for 

Protective Footwear”, ANSI Z41-1999, “American National 

Standard for Personal Protection - Protective Footwear”, or 

ANSI Z41-1991, “American National Standard for Personal 

Protection - Protective Footwear”, or provide equivalent 

protection. All ANSI-approved footwear has a protective toe 
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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:

■ 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.

■ 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.

■ 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.

■ 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.

■ 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 
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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.

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.
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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.

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.

■ Type of chemicals handled.

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

■ Duration of contact.
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■ Area requiring protection (hand only, forearm, arm).

■ Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily).

■ Thermal protection.

■ Size and comfort.

■ 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:

■ Gloves made of leather, canvas or metal mesh;

■ Fabric and coated fabric gloves;

■ Chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves;

■ Insulating rubber gloves (See 29 CFR 1910.137 and the 

following section on electrical protective equipment for 

detailed require- ments 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 canvas 

gloves also protect against sustained heat.

■ Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, 

blows, chips and rough objects.

■ Aluminized gloves provide reflective and insulating 

protection against heat and require an insert made of 

synthetic materials to protect against heat and cold.

■ Aramid fiber gloves protect against heat and cold, are cutand abrasive-resistant and wear well.

■ 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.
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Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves

Fabric and coated fabric gloves are made of cotton or other 

fabric to provide varying degrees of protection.

■ 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.

■ 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 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:

■ 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 nitro compounds. 

Butyl gloves also resist oxidation, ozone corrosion and 
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abrasion, and remain flexible at low temperatures. Butyl 

rubber does not perform well with aliphatic and aromatic 

hydrocarbons and halogenated solvents.

■ 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.

■ Neoprene gloves are made of synthetic rubber and offer a 

range of 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.

■ 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.

Table 4 from the U.S. Department of Energy (Occupational 

Safety and Health Technical Reference Manual) rates various 

gloves protective qualities against specific chemicals. 

This table will help you select the most appropriate gloves 

to protect your employees. The rating abbreviations are 

as follows: VG: Very Good; G: Good; F: Fair; P: Poor (not 

recommended). Chemicals marked with an asterisk (*) are for

limited service.
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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

Amyl 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

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
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Chemical Neoprene Latex/Rubber Butyl Nitrile

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
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Chemical Neoprene Latex/Rubber Butyl Nitrile

Methyl bromide G F G F

Methyl chloride* P P P P

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
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Chemical Neoprene Latex/Rubber Butyl Nitrile

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

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

Inspect protective gloves 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 indicate deficiencies 

caused by excessive use or degradation from chemical exposure.

Discard and replace any gloves with impaired protective 

ability. Carefully evaluate any reuse of chemical-resistant 

gloves, taking into consideration the absorptive qualities of the 

gloves. A decision to reuse chemically-exposed gloves should 

take into consideration the manufacturer’s recommendation 

for proper use and storage.
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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:

■ Temperature extremes;

■ Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids;

■ Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials;

■ Hazardous chemicals.

There are varieties of protective clothing available for 

specific hazards. Employers are required to ensure that their 

employees wear personal protective equipment 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, carefully 

inspect the PPE before each use, ensure proper fit and that it 

properly functions for the purpose for which it is intended.

Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each

effective against particular hazards, such as:

■ Paper-like fiber is used for disposable suits to provide 

protection against dust and splashes.

■ Treated wool and cotton adapts well to changing 

temperatures, is comfortable and fire-resistant and protects 

against dust, abrasions and rough and irritating surfaces.

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

and bruises when handling heavy, sharp or rough materials.

■ Leather is often used to protect against dry heat and flames.
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■ 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 adequate protection against the specific hazard.

Hearing Protection

Certain operations generate noise requiring hearing protection. 

Employee exposure to excessive noise depends upon a

number of factors, including:

■ The noise level, as measured in decibels (dB).

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

■ Whether employees move between work areas with 

different noise levels.

■ 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(c), Hearing 

Conservation Program.

Table 5, below, shows permissible noise exposures at specific 

decibel levels for specific time periods. Noise exposure is 

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 
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type of noise must not exceed 140 dB. Examples of situations 

or tools that may result in impact or impulse noises are powderactuated nail guns, the use of 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.

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 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise 

Exposure, Appendix B, Methods for estimating the adequacy 

of hearing protector attenuation, 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 
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

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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:

■ 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.

■ Pre-formed or molded earplugs are individually fitted by a 

professional and can be disposable or reusable. Reusable 

plugs should be cleaned after each use.

■ 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.

Personal Fall Protection Systems

If a workplace hazard assessment reveals that employees face 

potential injury from fall hazards, and engineering controls cannot 

be used to eliminate the hazard, personal fall protection systems 

are another option for employers. “Personal fall protection 

system” (PFPS) means a system (including all components) an 

employer uses to provide protection from falling or to safely 

arrest an employee’s fall if one occurs. Examples of personal 

fall protection systems include personal fall arrest systems, 

positioning systems, and travel restraint systems.

29 CFR 1910.140 sets forth requirements for personal fall 

protection systems. There are several types of these systems:

■ Travel restraint systems consist of a combination of an 

anchorage, anchorage connector, lanyard (or other means 

of connection), and body support that an employer uses 

to eliminate the possibility of an employee going over the 

edge of a walking-working surface.
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■ A positioning system is a system of equipment and 

connectors that, when used with a body harness or body belt, 

allows an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical 

surface, such as a wall or windowsill, and work with both 

hands free. Positioning systems also are called “positioning 

system devices” and “work-positioning equipment.”

■ A personal fall arrest system is a system used to arrest 

an employee in a fall from a walking-working surface. It 

consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector. The 

means of connection may include a lanyard, deceleration 

device, lifeline, or a suitable combination of these.

Generally, components of PFPS must be compatible and meet 

certain strength requirements. Anchorages that PFPS attach to 

must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds for each 

employee attached. If a fall occurs, components subjected to 

impact loading must be removed from service immediately 

and not used again until a competent person inspects the 

system or components and determines that it is not damaged 

and safe for use for employee personal fall protection. Body 

belts are prohibited as part of personal fall arrest systems. For 

more information and to see all the requirements for PFPS, 

please see 29 CFR 1910.140.

OSHA Assistance, Services, and Programs

OSHA has a great deal of information to assist employers in 

complying with their responsibilities under OSHA law. Several 

OSHA programs and services can help employers identify 

and correct job hazards, as well as improve their safety and 

health program.

Establishing a Safety and Health Program

Safety and health programs are systems that can substantially 

reduce the number and severity of workplace injuries and 

illnesses, while reducing costs to employers. 

Visit www.osha.gov/safety-management for more information.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

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Compliance Assistance Specialists

OSHA compliance assistance specialists can 

provide information to employers and workers about OSHA 

standards, short educational programs on specific hazards 

or OSHA rights and responsibilities, and information on 

additional compliance assistance resources. 

Visit www.osha.gov/complianceassistance/cas or call 1-800-

321-OSHA (6742) to contact your local OSHA office.

No-Cost On-Site Safety and Health 

Consultation Services for Small Business

OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and 

confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in 

all states, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-Site 

consultation services are separate from enforcement and do 

not result in penalties or citations. 

For more information or to find the local On-Site Consultation 

office in your state, visit www.osha.gov/consultation, or call 

1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers 

may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health 

Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Worksites that 

receive SHARP recognition are exempt from programmed 

inspections during the period that the SHARP certification is valid.

Cooperative Programs

OSHA offers cooperative programs under which businesses, 

labor groups and other organizations can work cooperatively 

with OSHA. To find out more about any of the following 

programs, visit www.osha.gov/cooperativeprograms. 

Strategic Partnerships and Alliances

The OSHA Strategic Partnerships (OSP) provide the opportunity 

for OSHA to partner with employers, workers, professional or 

trade associations, labor organizations, and/or other interested 
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

3 6

stakeholders. Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with 

groups to develop compliance assistance tools and resources 

to share with workers and employers, and educate workers and 

employers about their rights and responsibilities.

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

The VPP recognize employers and workers in the private sector 

and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety 

and health programs and maintain injury and illness rates below 

the national average for their respective industries.

Occupational Safety and Health Training

OSHA partners with 26 OSHA Training Institute Education 

Centers at 37 locations throughout the United States to 

deliver courses on OSHA standards and occupational safety 

and health topics to thousands of students a year. For more 

information on training courses, visit www.osha.gov/otiec.

OSHA Educational Materials

OSHA has many types of educational materials to assist 

employers and workers in finding and preventing workplace 

hazards. 

All OSHA publications are free at www.osha.gov/publications

and www.osha.gov/ebooks. You can also call 1-800-321-OSHA 

(6742) to order publications.

Employers and safety and health professionals can sign-up for 

QuickTakes, OSHA’s free, twice-monthly online newsletter with 

the latest news about OSHA initiatives and products to assist 

in finding and preventing workplace hazards. To sign up, visit 

www.osha.gov/quicktakes.
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OSHA Regional Offices

Region 1

Boston Regional Office

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

JFK Federal Building

25 New Sudbury Street, Room E340 

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860 (617) 565-9827 Fax 

Region 2

New York Regional Office

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

Federal Building

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378 (212) 337-2371 Fax

Region 3

Philadelphia Regional Office

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

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900 (215) 861-4904 Fax

Region 4 

Atlanta Regional Office

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

Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(678) 237-0400 (678) 237-0447 Fax

Region 5

Chicago Regional Office

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

John C. Kluczynski Federal Building 

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220 (312) 353-7774 Fax
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Region 6

Dallas Regional Office

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

A. Maceo Smith Federal Building 

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145 (972) 850-4149 Fax

Region 7

Kansas City Regional Office

(IA*, KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square Building

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108-2416

(816) 283-8745 (816) 283-0547 Fax

Region 8

Denver Regional Office

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

Cesar Chavez Memorial Building

1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 551

Denver, CO 80204

(720) 264-6550 (720) 264-6585 Fax

Region 9

San Francisco Regional Office

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

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)

San Francisco Federal Building 

90 7th Street, Suite 2650

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547 (415) 625-2534 Fax

Region 10

Seattle Regional Office

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

Fifth & Yesler Tower

300 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1280

Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 757-6700 (206) 757-6705 Fax
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*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved 

job safety and health plans and cover state and local government 

employees as well as private sector employees. The Connecticut, 

Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Virgin 

Islands programs cover public employees only. (Private sector workers 

in these states are covered by Federal OSHA). 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, OSHA-approved 

State Plans and OSHA consultation projects, please visit us online at 

www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

How to Contact OSHA

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 

employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful 

workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help 

ensure these conditions for America’s workers by setting and 

enforcing standards, and providing training, education and 

assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov or call 

OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

For assistance, contact us.

We are OSHA. We can help. 
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

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Appendix A: OSHA Standards that 

Require PPE

29 CFR 1910, General Industry

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:

1910.28 Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection

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

1910.134 Respiratory protection

1910.135 Occupational head protection

1910.136 Occupational foot protection

1910.137 Electrical protective devices

1910.138 Hand protection

1910.140 Personal fall protection systems

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
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

4 1

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)
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

4 2

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

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
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

4 3

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 

Subpart CC 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

Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE at No Cost 

to the Employee:

1926.60 Methylenedianiline

1926.62 Lead

1926.103 Respiratory protection
For more information:

Occupational

Safety and Health

Administration

www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

U.S. Department of Labor