On November 15, 2007, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment; Final Rule (72 Fed. Reg. 200 at 64341).  The final rule becomes effective on February 13, 2008, and must be implemented by May 15, 2008.  The rule requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment, with several specific exceptions outlined in the regulation.  Some excerpts:

“In this final rule, OSHA is requiring employers to pay for the PPE used to comply with OSHA standards, with a few exceptions.” 

“This rule does not set forth new requirements regarding the PPE that must be provided and the circumstances in which it must be provided. The rule merely requires employers to pay for the PPE that is used to comply with the Parts amended.”

Employers that require PPE should review this regulation to see whether they are now required to pay for the PPE.