Who is responsible for providing personal protective equipment?

The responsibility for providing personal protective equipment (PPE) falls primarily on the employer. This is in alignment with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, which mandate that employers must ensure a safe work environment for their employees. This includes identifying hazards and providing appropriate PPE to protect workers from those hazards.

Employers are tasked with assessing the workplace for potential risks and determining what type of PPE is necessary based on the nature of the tasks and potential hazards associated with them. By supplying the correct protective gear, employers help minimize the likelihood of work-related injuries and illnesses, thereby promoting overall safety within the workplace.

While the government establishes the regulations regarding workplace safety, including PPE requirements, it does not directly provide equipment. Third-party safety companies may advise or sell PPE but are not responsible for providing it to employees in a specific workplace. Although employees do have a role in utilizing PPE correctly and maintaining it, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that adequate equipment is available rests with the employer.