PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) safeguards users against hazards or physical harms they may encounter at the workplace. It is mostly known as “The Last Line of Defense“, that is when every other control fails.
But the question now is – Who is Responsible for Providing PPE in the Workplace?
Who is Responsible for Providing PPE in the Workplace
Provision of PPE is part of the duty of care which has been allotted to the employer. So the Employer is responsible for providing PPE in the workplace.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect you
from workplace hazards that can cause injury or illness. Controlling a hazard at its source is the
best way to protect workers. However, when engineering, work practice and administrative controls
are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective
equipment (PPE) to you and ensure its use.
Employers PPE Obligation by OSHA
- Performing a “hazard assessment” of the workplace to identify and control physical
and health hazards. - Identifying and providing appropriate 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.
Examples of PPE
- Hard Hats
- Glasses, Goggles, and Face Shields
- Earplugs and Earmuffs
- Dust Masks and Respirators
- Hand Gloves
- Safety Boots, Foot Guards, and Leggings, etc.
Who Provides PPE for Self-Employed Workers and Contractors?
Self-employed contractors are normally required to supply their own PPE. They may also need to provide evidence that their PPE meets workplace standards, such as ISO or BS certifications.
Because self-employed workers usually provide services to various clients, they tend to have their own PPE supplies.
Who is responsible for the purchase of PPE?
The purchase of PPE depends on the organizations setup. PPE can be purchased by the employer through the purchase department, or through the HSE (Health and Safety) department, other organization may decide to compensate their employees while they purchase the PPE for themselves.
However, which ever approach the organization decides to take, the PPE must meet workplace standards such as ISO or BS certification.
Conclusion
In case you did not know Who is Responsible for Providing PPE in the Workplace, this blog post has stated clearly that the employer is solely responsible for providing PPE in the workplace.
The employer has other responsibility including enforcing the use of PPE and training the workers on how to use the PPE appropriately.
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