Washington Proposal Would Explicitly Require Properly Fitting PPE for Construction Workers -- Occupational Health & Safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) laid out on a table, including yellow, blue, and white hard hats, earmuffs, safety glasses, and work gloves.

Washington Proposal Would Explicitly Require Properly Fitting PPE for Construction Workers

The state will hold virtual hearings Nov. 10 and 16, and written comments are due Nov. 23.

By Danielle Naidu
Oct 08, 2026

Construction employers in Washington would be explicitly required to ensure personal protective equipment fits workers properly under a proposal filed Oct. 6 by the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

The proposed revision to WAC 296-155-200 would align Washington's construction PPE rule with 29 C.F.R. 1926.95(c), the federal OSHA requirement that took effect Jan. 13, 2025. L&I said equipment that does not fit correctly can provide less protection, introduce additional hazards or discourage workers from wearing it.

The proposal also would clarify references to employer responsibility and make typographical, formatting and resource-link updates. Virtual hearings are scheduled for Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific and Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. Pacific. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 23, and L&I lists March 2, 2027, as the intended adoption date.

About the Author

Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.

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