Construction PPE

Construction PPE Safety Poster

Help reinforce the proper use of personal protective equipment on construction jobsites with the Construction PPE Safety Poster. This workplace safety poster reminds construction employees about important head, eye, face, hand, foot, and hearing protection that may be necessary when performing hazardous work.

Construction workers can encounter falling and flying objects, sharp materials, loud noise, chemicals, electrical hazards, dust, tools, machinery, and other conditions capable of causing serious injuries. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) provides an important layer of protection when workplace hazards cannot be eliminated or adequately controlled by other means.

What Is Personal Protective Equipment?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn or used by employees to help protect against workplace safety and health hazards. The type of PPE required depends on the hazards associated with the work being performed.

Construction PPE may include protective helmets, safety glasses, goggles, face protection, gloves, protective footwear, hearing protection, respiratory protection, protective clothing, and other specialized equipment.

What PPE May Be Required on a Construction Site?

Depending on the job and hazards present, construction workers may require protection such as:

• Head protection – protective helmets for applicable impact, falling or flying object, and electrical hazards
• Eye protection – safety glasses, goggles, or other protection against flying particles, debris, chemicals, and other eye hazards
• Face protection – face shields or other appropriate protection for certain splash, particle, or hazardous operations
• Hand protection – gloves selected for applicable cuts, abrasions, chemical, thermal, electrical, or other hand hazards
• Foot protection – protective footwear when employees are exposed to applicable foot injury hazards
• Hearing protection – appropriate protection when employees are exposed to hazardous occupational noise
• Respiratory protection – appropriate respiratory protection when required for hazardous airborne exposures
• Protective clothing – clothing or specialized protective equipment appropriate for specific workplace hazards

OSHA Construction PPE Requirements

OSHA addresses construction personal protective equipment under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart E. Under 29 CFR 1926.95, required protective equipment must be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever workplace hazards make the equipment necessary.

Construction PPE must be of safe design and construction for the work being performed and must be selected to properly fit each affected employee.

Properly Fitting PPE Is Important

Personal protective equipment must fit the employee who is expected to use it. PPE that is too large, too small, loose, unstable, or otherwise improperly fitted may reduce its effectiveness and can create additional safety concerns.

OSHA's construction PPE requirements specifically require employers to select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. Employers should consider employee size, body dimensions, the work being performed, compatibility with other required PPE, and manufacturer instructions when selecting protective equipment.

Construction Head Protection

Under 29 CFR 1926.100, construction employees working in areas where there is possible danger of head injury from impact, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock and burns must be protected by appropriate protective helmets.

Employees should properly wear and maintain required head protection and should inspect protective equipment according to employer procedures and manufacturer instructions.

Construction Eye and Face Protection

Under 29 CFR 1926.102, employers must ensure affected employees use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards such as flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, and potentially injurious light radiation.

Eye protection must also provide side protection when employees are exposed to hazards from flying objects.

Hearing, Hand and Foot Protection

Construction work can expose employees to additional hazards involving excessive noise, sharp materials, heavy objects, chemicals, tools, machinery, and other conditions that may require specialized protective equipment.

Employers should identify applicable hazards and select appropriate hearing, hand, foot, and other protective equipment based on the work being performed and applicable OSHA requirements.

PPE Should Match the Hazard

No single type of PPE protects employees from every construction hazard. Employers should evaluate the work being performed and ensure employees use protective equipment appropriate for the specific hazards they may encounter.

Employees should understand when PPE is required, what type of equipment is appropriate, how to properly wear and adjust it, its limitations, and how to inspect, care for, and maintain the equipment.

Who Pays for Construction PPE?

Under 29 CFR 1926.95, employers generally must provide PPE required to comply with OSHA's construction standards at no cost to employees, subject to specific exceptions contained in the standard.

For example, OSHA provides exceptions for certain non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear when employees are permitted to wear those items away from the jobsite.

Where Can a Construction PPE Poster Be Displayed?

The Construction PPE Safety Poster can help reinforce personal protective equipment requirements in locations such as:

• Construction site entrances
• Jobsite trailers
• Employee safety and training areas
• Tool and equipment storage areas
• Maintenance and repair operations
• Manufacturing and fabrication areas
• Warehouses and material-handling areas
• Employee break areas
• Areas where PPE is issued or stored
• Entrances to designated PPE-required work areas

Is a Construction PPE Poster Required by OSHA?

OSHA requires construction employers to provide and ensure the use of appropriate personal protective equipment when applicable hazards and OSHA standards require it. However, this particular Construction PPE Safety Poster is intended as a supplemental employee safety and awareness resource and should not be represented as a universally required OSHA workplace poster.

This poster can help reinforce an employer's PPE program but does not replace required protective equipment, employee training, workplace hazard assessments, equipment inspections, respiratory protection programs, hearing conservation requirements, fall protection, or other applicable construction safety requirements.

Construction PPE Safety Poster Specifications

• 8.5"W x 11"H
• Portrait orientation
• Printed in full color
• Laminated with high-quality laminate

Construction Safety and Compliance Resources

Labor Law Compliance Center provides employers with labor law posters, workplace safety posters, specialty postings, and compliance resources for businesses throughout the United States. Browse our Workplace Safety Posters for additional PPE, construction safety, hazard awareness, emergency response, and employee safety materials.