Home ›

Are employers required to pay for employees’ protective equipment (PPE)?

Yes. On May 15, 2008 an OSHA rule about employer payment for PPE went into effect.  With few exceptions, OSHA  requires employers to pay for PPE used to comply with OSHA standards.  The final rule does not create new requirements regarding what PPE employers must provide.

The OSHA standard is clear that employers cannot require workers to provide their own PPE, and the use of PPE that employees already own must be completely voluntary.  Even when a worker provides his or her own PPE, the employer must ensure that the equipment is adequate to protect the worker from hazards of the workplace.  PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards.  Examples include items such as; gloves, foot and eye protection, noise protection, hard hats and respirators.  Examples of PPE that employers must pay for include:

  • Metatarsal foot protection
  • Rubber boots with steel toes
  • Non-prescription eye protection
  • Prescription eyewear insets/lenses for full force respirators
  • Goggles and face shields
  • Hard Hats
  • Noise protection
  • Welding PPE

Payment exceptions under the OSHA rule employers are not required to pay for some PPE in certain circumstances:

  • Non-specialty safety – toe protective foot wear (including steel-toe shoes or boots) and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear provided that the employer permits such items to be worn off the job site.
  • Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots.
  • Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Items such as hair nets and gloves worn by food workers for consumer safety.
  • Lifting belts because their value in protecting the back is questionable.
  • When the employee has lost or intentionally damaged PPE and it must be replaced.

If you have any questions, contact Phil Mercuris, Vice President of Safety Services at Master Builders of Iowa 515-250-7001 or pmercuris@mbionline.com.