Buying Your Own PPE: What to Look For
Most workers get their PPE from the employer, but many tradespeople buy some of their own, such as boots, gloves, glasses and hard hats, and homeowners buy gear for DIY work. Not all products that look like protective equipment actually protect you. Knowing who pays, which markings to check and how to spot fakes helps you buy gear that works.
- Workers
- Tradespeople
- Homeowners
Who has to pay for PPE?
- OSHA says employers must pay for required PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators, gloves, face shields, fall protection and flame-resistant clothing (29 CFR 1910.132(h) and 1926.95(d)).
- Exceptions when the worker may pay: ordinary safety-toe footwear that the employee may wear off the job site, ordinary prescription safety eyewear in some cases, everyday clothing such as long-sleeve shirts, jeans and normal work boots, ordinary weather gear such as winter coats and rain gear, and PPE the worker chooses to bring and use even though the employer already provides it. The details are in the standard.
- Employers must still make sure PPE is adequate and properly maintained, even if the worker owns it, and that it meets the standards. See PPE Hazard Assessment.
- Union contracts, state laws and company policies may add to this. Some states require employers to pay for more. Ask before you buy, and keep receipts.
- Contractors and self-employed workers buy their own. DIY users should too.
Look for the standard on the label
| PPE | Standard or marking to look for |
|---|---|
| Hard hats | ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 (type I or II, class G, E or C). Look for the marking inside the shell. See Hard Hats |
| Safety glasses and goggles | ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 marking on the frame and lens. Z87+ for high impact. See Eye & Face Protection and Lens Tints |
| Safety-toe boots | ASTM F2413 label, with the impact and compression ratings, and extra markings such as electrical hazard (EH) or puncture resistance (PR). See Foot Protection |
| Gloves | ANSI/ISEA 105 for cut, puncture, abrasion and other ratings, and EN 388 and EN 374 marks. Choose by the hazard. See Hand Protection |
| High-visibility clothing | ANSI/ISEA 107 with the class (2 or 3) and type. See High-Visibility Clothing |
| Hearing protection | Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) on the package, tested to ANSI standards. See Hearing Protection |
| Respirators | NIOSH approval printed on the respirator, with a TC approval number. Filters carry ratings such as N95, P100. See Respiratory Protection and Respirator Filters |
| Fall protection harnesses and lanyards | ANSI/ASSP Z359 markings. See ANSI Z359 |
| Flame-resistant clothing | NFPA 2112 or ASTM F1506 labels, with the arc rating in cal/cm² for arc-rated gear. See Flame-Resistant Clothing |
| Welding helmets | ANSI Z87.1 and the shade range. See Welding Helmets |
Standards are updated, so the edition on the label may differ. Look for the standard number and keep the manufacturer’s instructions. If a product has no marking, or claims to be “OSHA approved,” be careful. OSHA doesn’t approve or certify PPE.
Counterfeits and fakes
- Counterfeit and look-alike PPE, especially respirators and masks, hard hats and safety glasses, has been sold online and in stores. They can look right but fail when needed. See Counterfeit PPE.
- Warning signs: no NIOSH approval number, ear loops on an N95 (genuine N95s usually have head straps), misspelled words, odd labels, a price far below normal, no manufacturer contact, vague claims like “medical grade” or “surgical” without a standard, and sellers you can’t verify.
- Check NIOSH approvals in the NIOSH Certified Equipment List and the trusted source list on the CDC website.
- Buy from authorized dealers, safety distributors or the manufacturer, and be careful with auction sites and unknown sellers.
Comfort and fit matter
- PPE that doesn’t fit or is uncomfortable gets taken off. Try on gear in a store if you can. Check size, adjustments and compatibility with other PPE, such as a hard hat with earmuffs, or glasses with a respirator. See Proper PPE Fit.
- Boots: try them with your usual work socks, at the end of the day when feet are largest, and walk on a hard surface. Check for slip-resistant soles, ankle support, weight and the right toe cap for the hazard.
- Gloves: pick the right size and thickness for dexterity. A glove that’s too big catches in machinery.
- Respirators must fit your face. Beards, facial shape and size affect the seal, and workplace respirators require fit testing. See Fit Testing and Beards & Respirators.
- Prescription needs: use safety glasses made for your prescription, or goggles that fit over glasses. See Prescription Safety Glasses.
Match the gear to the hazard
- Decide what hazards you face first, then pick PPE. Cheap, generic PPE isn’t a substitute for the right one. A dust mask doesn’t protect from silica, and cloth gloves don’t stop chemicals. See PPE Hazard Assessment.
- For home projects, think about dust, flying chips, noise and chemicals. See DIY Power Tools and DIY Project Safety.
- Cooling and cold-weather gear help you wear PPE all day. See Cooling PPE and Cold Weather Clothing.
Care, inspection and replacement
- Inspect PPE before each use and replace it when it’s damaged, worn or past its service life. Hard hats and harnesses have maker-set limits, and many are dated. See PPE Inspection & Care.
- Clean and store it as directed, away from sun, heat and chemicals.
- Replace PPE after it’s been used in an incident, such as a hard hat that took a hard blow or a harness that stopped a fall.
- Keep manuals and receipts, and register products for recalls.
Before you buy
- I checked whether my employer must pay or already provides it
- The product shows the right standard (ANSI/ISEA, ASTM or a NIOSH approval)
- It matches the actual hazard, and it fits me comfortably with my other PPE
- I’m buying from an authorized seller, and I checked for counterfeit signs
- I know how to inspect, clean and replace it
Standards & references
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