What Protective Equipment Does My Business Have to Provide Workers?

By Bill Stilwell · Last reviewed October 17, 2026

The short answer

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is gear like safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, hearing protection, and respirators. If you have employees, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) general industry rule says you must assess your hazards, certify that assessment in writing, pick gear that fits, train workers to use it, and pay for most required gear. Construction work has its own OSHA rules, so check those too if you build or remodel.

What this means

Under OSHA’s general PPE rule (29 CFR 1910.132):

Hazard assessment: You must look at your workplace for hazards that need PPE, choose gear that protects against them, tell each affected worker, and make sure it fits.
Written certification: You must certify in writing that the assessment was done. It must name the workplace, the person certifying, the date, and say it’s a certification of hazard assessment.
Training: Workers must know when PPE is needed, what PPE, how to put it on, take it off, and adjust it, its limits, and how to care for it and when to replace it. They must show they understand before doing the work.
Retraining: Required when the work or gear changes, or when a worker isn’t using it right.
Who pays: You provide required PPE at no cost to employees, with some exceptions. These include regular safety-toe boots and regular prescription safety glasses that workers can wear off the job, everyday clothing, and normal weather gear.
Workers’ own gear: Allowed if it’s adequate, but you’re still responsible for making sure it is.

Made-up example: Oakline Tree Service’s assessment lists chainsaw work, falling limbs, chipper noise, and flying debris. It requires chaps, hard hats with face shields, hearing protection, and gloves. The company buys them, fits each worker, and records the training.

Why it matters

It’s required for employers under OSHA, and missing the written assessment is a common gap.
The wrong gear doesn’t protect. Dust masks don’t do the job of a respirator, and loose gloves near spinning tools can be dangerous.
Cost belongs in your pricing. PPE is a real cost of each job (see 7.1.8 Direct Delivery Cost).
Respirators have extra rules, like fit testing and medical checks, under a separate OSHA standard. Get help if you need them.

Who this applies to

Any business with employees whose work has hazards that gear can reduce. Office only businesses usually need little or none. Self-employed people without employees aren’t covered by OSHA, but the same risks apply to you.

How to do it

Use your hazard list (see 11.4.1 Hazard Identification) to find tasks where gear is needed.
Try to remove the hazard first. PPE is the last line of defense, not the first.
Pick the right gear for each task, using the product’s ratings and the manufacturer’s guidance.
Write and sign the hazard assessment certification with the workplace, your name, and the date.
Fit each worker and give them their own gear where it makes sense.
Train and check understanding before the work starts.
Replace worn or damaged gear at no cost, unless the worker lost it or damaged it on purpose.
Re-assess when you add new tasks, tools, or chemicals.

What proof to keep

The signed hazard assessment certification
A PPE list by task
Purchase records showing you paid
Training records for each worker
Notes on replacements

Common mistakes

No written certification, only a verbal “wear your glasses.”
Charging workers for required gear that OSHA says you must pay for.
One size for everyone, so gear doesn’t fit and doesn’t get worn.
Handing out respirators without fit testing or the other steps the respirator rule requires.
Never replacing gear like hard hats and harnesses that wear out or get damaged.
Job photos showing no gear, which can look careless to customers.

When to get help from a pro

Safety consultant, equipment supplier, or OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program: especially for respirators, fall protection, or chemical gear. Questions to ask:

What PPE does each of my tasks require?
Do I need a respirator program or fall protection plan?
Which construction rules apply if my crews build or remodel?

Bill’s note

[Bill: add a short note. For example, how job photos with proper gear look to customers on a Google Business Profile, or what PPE you’d need for SiteSmarty’s own work.]

How I did this for SiteSmarty

[Date I did this:]
[What I actually did, step by step: completing the PPE hazard assessment for SiteSmarty’s tasks]
[What it cost and how long it took:]
[What surprised me or what I’d do differently:]
[Screenshot or photo to add, with private info blurred: the signed hazard assessment certification]
[Result so far:]

Questions people ask

Do I have to pay for safety equipment? Under OSHA’s general rule, yes for most required PPE. Exceptions include regular safety-toe boots and regular prescription safety glasses workers can wear off the job.

What is a PPE hazard assessment? A check of your workplace for hazards that need gear, plus a signed written certification that you did it.

Can workers bring their own gear? Yes, if it’s adequate. You’re still responsible for making sure it protects them and is kept in good shape.

What training does PPE need? When it’s needed, what to use, how to wear it, its limits, and how to care for it. Workers must show they understand.

Audit check

Question: Is there a signed PPE hazard assessment, with the right gear provided, paid for, fitted, and trained on?
Pass looks like: Signed certification, PPE list by task, purchase records, training records.
Fail looks like: No written assessment, workers buying required gear, untrained use, worn out gear.
Evidence to collect: Certification, PPE list, receipts, training log.

Where this fits

Do this first: 11.4.1 Hazard Identification, 11.4.2 Safety Training

Do this next: 11.4.4 Equipment Inspection

Sources

OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.132, "Personal Protective Equipment: General requirements" (checked October 17, 2026)
OSHA, "Am I covered by OSHA?" (checked October 17, 2026)

This page explains general rules and Bill's own experience. It is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your situation.