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On December 11, 2024, OSHA announced a long-awaited update to its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) regulations for the construction industry. This new rule emphasizes a simple but critical requirement: PPE must properly fit all workers. The change aligns the construction industry standard with existing requirements for general industry and maritime, aiming to close a significant safety gap. Here’s what safety professionals and operations managers need to know.

Why Proper PPE Fit Matters

Ill-fitting PPE has long been a concern, especially in industries like construction. Improperly sized gloves, vests, or harnesses can pose serious risks, including reduced protection, entanglement in machinery, or discomfort that leads workers to forgo PPE altogether. According to OSHA, properly fitted PPE is essential for worker safety and efficiency, especially in environments where visibility and hazard protection are paramount.

This issue disproportionately impacts women and workers with smaller or larger body sizes. Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker highlighted these challenges, stating that many workers, particularly women, have struggled to find appropriately sized PPE on job sites. The new rule seeks to address these disparities, ensuring that every worker has access to protective workwear that fits and functions as intended.

What the New Rule Requires

The revised OSHA update shifts the focus of workplace safety, emphasizing that PPE must be tailored to the worker, not just the job. Employers now need to offer a range of sizes for each type of protective equipment, from harnesses to helmets, ensuring that workers can perform their duties comfortably and safely.

Employers are also encouraged to assess fit through feedback from workers. Fit testing, which is already mandatory for respirators, could serve as a model for other PPE, ensuring that each piece of equipment is adjusted to the worker’s specific needs. Beyond meeting compliance, this focus on fit helps employers foster a culture of safety and inclusivity.

"This update reinforces something we’ve always understood: fit is critical to safety. Designing PPE that works for a diverse workforce remains a challenge the industry must continue to address, and it’s encouraging to see this issue finally receiving the attention it deserves," said Sandra Hanna, Vice President of Product Development at Kishigo and Chairwoman of the ISEA/ANSI 107 American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel.

The updated rule makes it clear that investing in appropriately designed and well-fitting PPE is a long-term benefit. It not only protects workers but also reduces workplace disruptions caused by accidents or non-compliance penalties.

How the Industry is Responding

The new OSHA update has sparked positive responses across industries, with many stakeholders recognizing the importance of addressing PPE fit for a diverse workforce. The enthusiasm reflects an industry-wide acknowledgment that well-fitting PPE is a necessity.

Insights from the ISEA Annual Meeting

At the 2024 ISEA Annual Meeting, safety leaders emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to ensure proper implementation of the new rule. Discussions focused on how manufacturers, employers, and regulatory bodies can work together to provide solutions tailored to the modern workforce. For example, some PPE manufacturers are investing in ergonomic research to refine product designs, ensuring that safety gear doesn’t just fit better but also enhances worker performance.

Driving Innovation in PPE

The regulation is also driving innovation. Companies are now incorporating advanced materials and adjustable features into their designs to improve both fit and functionality. High-visibility vests with tailored fits and breathable fabrics, or gloves with enhanced grip for smaller hands, are examples of how manufacturers are responding to these changes.

Employer Engagement

Employers are being encouraged to go beyond compliance by engaging directly with workers to understand their needs. Initiatives like on-site PPE fitting days, where employees can try on and adjust equipment, are becoming more common. These practices not only ensure compliance but also empower workers to take an active role in their own safety.

By addressing the challenges of PPE fit through innovation, collaboration, and worker engagement, the industry is not only meeting the requirements of OSHA’s new rule but also setting a new standard for safety and inclusivity in the workplace.

How Kishigo’s Workwear Supports OSHA’s Standards

Kishigo has been at the forefront of designing high-visibility workwear that prioritizes safety, comfort, and functionality. With over 50 years of experience, we understand that fit is more than a matter of convenience, it’s a matter of safety. Here’s how our products align with the new OSHA requirements:

• Wide Range of Sizes: Our high-visibility apparel includes options from small to 5XL, with custom abilities to go up to 10XL, ensuring a proper fit for workers of all shapes and sizes.
• Gender-Inclusive Design: We offer apparel tailored for women, addressing long-standing fit challenges in the industry.
• Adjustable Features: Many of our products, including vests and harnesses, feature adjustable designs to accommodate diverse body types and enhance comfort.
• Durability and Quality: Kishigo reinforces high-stress areas and uses durable materials to ensure long-lasting protection, even in demanding environments.
• Worker Feedback Integration: We incorporate input from users to refine our designs continually, ensuring that our workwear meets real-world needs.

Moving Forward with OSHA Compliance

For safety professionals, OSHA’s new rule is a call to action. It’s an opportunity to evaluate existing PPE inventories, collaborate with trusted manufacturers like Kishigo, and implement solutions that meet the diverse needs of today’s workforce. By investing in properly fitted, high-quality workwear, employers can enhance both safety and productivity on their job sites.

Kishigo is proud to support this progress. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and inclusivity ensures that we remain a trusted partner in protecting workers across industries. Stay ahead of OSHA’s updated PPE regulations by choosing workwear that prioritizes safety, comfort, and compliance. Kishigo’s high-visibility apparel is designed to fit every worker, ensuring protection and peace of mind on the job site.

Source: Kishigo