Good Morning,

One of the easiest ways to help prevent injuries on job sites is to ensure all employees have the proper PPE for the task at hand. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.95-106, it is the responsibility of the employer to perform a hazard assessment of the workplace to determine what hazards are present and provide the necessary equipment to safely and efficiently complete the job.

As of December 11, OSHA has finalized revisions to this section to address the issue of properly fitting PPE to go along with the general requirements. Safety is not a one size fits all situation.

Ill-fitting PPE can compromise its intended purpose and increase the risk of injury. For instance, gloves that are too loose may reduce the ability to grip, making it harder to handle tools, while gloves that are too tight can restrict blood flow and cause discomfort.

Arc flash-rated clothing must fit without being overly tight. It should allow freedom of movement while ensuring full coverage of the body to prevent burns from electrical arcs.

A proper fitting harness distributes the force of a fall evenly across the body, minimizing the risk of injury to areas like the spine. It also keeps the worker securely attached to an anchor point, preventing them from hitting the ground or nearby obstacles. Poorly fitted harnesses, on the other hand, can lead to serious injuries, such as suspension trauma, broken ribs or even failing to restrict the slow the rate of the fall. Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in construction.

Footwear and goggles should also be checked for proper fitment and condition to allow them to perform for their intended purposes.

Resources Regarding PPE:

OSHA Revision Announcement

OSHA PPE Fact Sheet

OSHA PPE Guide

NECA PPE Guide

There are several tool box talks on this topic in the Safety Meeting app and eSafetyline website that are included in your NYECA membership.

We encourage anyone interested in participating in the NYECA Safety Committee to reach out to evangelista@nyeca.org.

The next meeting will be taking place via Zoom on Tuesday November 11 at 3:00pm.

If you have any questions, you may reach out to the Association Office.

Thank You.