Protective equipment is an integral part of safety in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the regulatory agency responsible for enacting protective equipment requirements intended to protect personnel from being harmed by hazardous materials.

OSHA is not only responsible for drafting the guidelines regarding protective equipment, but they enforce these regulations by conducting routine inspections. Facilities that are cited with noncompliance violations are subject to financial penalties or even closure for prolonged infractions.

In 2019, OSHA issued 1,369 citations for violations pertaining to personal protective equipment. According to a publication from the National Safety Council, protective-equipment citations were the ninth most common type of violation issued by OSHA across all industries. Because of the prevalence of protective-equipment citations, facilities need to be familiar with the regulations that apply to their operations and what they can do to protect themselves from being cited and fined.

In addition to preventing citations, using the proper protective equipment in your operations will help protect personnel protected from harm. To help you achieve regulatory compliance and keep your staff safe, here is a look at the most common protective-equipment violations from OSHA and what you can do to prevent violations.

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The Most Common Protective-Equipment Violations

OSHA standard 1926.102 is the standard that regulates protective equipment in the workplace. Common violations of this standard include subpart (a)(1) and (b)(1)(i-iii). Subpart (a)(1) requires that personnel use appropriate eye and face protection when exposed to hazardous materials in the workplace, such as liquid chemicals or corrosive acids.

Additionally, OSHA standard 1926.102(a)(5)(i) requires that the eye protection supplied to employees is designed to protect against the materials that they are handling. This means that facilities must provide protective equipment for their staff that is suited to an intended application.

Subpart (b) of the 1926.102 OSHA standard stipulates that protective eyewear must comply with ANSI standard ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010. OSHA refers to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to further explain many of its regulations.

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How to Avoid Protective-Equipment Violations

The best way to prevent protective-equipment citations in your facility is to ensure that your staff uses the proper protective equipment when handling hazardous materials. Whether personnel in your operation are handling flammable liquids, pesticides, or corrosive substances, using the appropriate protective equipment will not only help to prevent OSHA citations but will—ultimately—keep your staff safe.

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Find the Protective Equipment that is Right for You

Justrite is the industry leader in workplace safety equipment. We manufacture protective equipment that is designed to keep your staff safe when handling hazardous materials. In addition to protective equipment, we also supply the equipment you need to safely store hazardous substances in accordance with OSHA and NFPA guidelines. Check out our inventory and find the equipment you need today.

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Products to Help Keep Workers Safe

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