Can my employer make me pay for PPE?

It’s illegal for your employer to make you pay for any personal protective equipment or clothing (PPE) you need to protect your health and safety at work. You must have PPE for use at work wherever there are risks to your health and safety that can’t be adequately controlled in other ways.

Do employees have to pay for PPE?

With few exceptions, OSHA requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment when it is used to comply with OSHA standards. These typically include: hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets and goggles, face shields, chemical protective equipment and fall protection equipment.

Should PPE be free of charge to employees?

Under the requirements of The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (external site), employees will not be charged with or contribute to the provision and maintenance of PPE. If there is a need for PPE items they must be provided free of charge by the employer.

Do employers have to provide PPE during Covid?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has not changed your duty as an employer to protect people in your workplace from health and safety risks. In a non-clinical setting, you can provide the same PPE as you would have done before the pandemic. There is no need to provide alternative PPE.

What does the law say about who pays for PPE?

Who should pay for Personal Protective Equipment (s)? The law says: The cost of the PPE is treated as part of the operations cost of the employers. Take note that all PPE must be of appropriate size, weight, and type to specific workers exposed to hazards from which PPE are meant to ensure effective protection.

What is the employers responsibility for PPE?

Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.

What is an employee responsibility regarding PPE?

If an employee would prefer to purchase their own PPE, the employer must make sure that the PPE meets or exceeds the protection necessary for the hazards that exist in the workplace. PPE should be consistently inspected, cleaned and maintained so that it works properly.

What are the employers responsibilities regarding PPE?

Who has legal obligation to provide employees with PPE?

employer
“Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.”

Who is responsible for personal protective equipment?

Your employer has a responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy workplace to protect all workers, including providing and maintaining PPE. Make it a habit to wear your PPE, and ensure the workers you supervise wear theirs.

Can you sue your employer for not providing PPE?

If you are injured or become ill due to circumstances on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation exclusively (generally, no lawsuits) unless you can prove the employer was negligent. The employer breached this duty by not providing proper PPE or safe workplace conditions.